3 Vikings to blame for absolutely humiliating MNF loss to Bills

3 Vikings to blame for absolutely humiliating MNF loss to Bills appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Coach Kevin O’Connell’s Minnesota Vikings laid an egg on Monday Night Football in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills, on a day when Tony Romo and Pat McAfee sharply critiqued new starting QB Carson Wentz . The boo birds began to fly at U.S. Bank Stadium as Wentz had one of the worst performances from a starting quarterback in recent NFL history, on one of the league’s biggest stages. The Vikings’ Brian Flores-led defense did its best to hold down the fort in the Twin Cities, but Josh Allen and the Bills managed to pile on 10 points in the fourth quarter as they pulled away from their NFC North foes, winning by a score of 23-6 and shaking up the NFC playoff picture. Now that the smoke has cleared on a rough outing for O’Connell’s team, it’s time to assign blame for one of the worst losses of the season. Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial) The Vikings’ offense deserves most of it, after a day that started with hope for Wentz ( off the tongue of Eagles legend Jason Kelce ) and ended with Hindenburg-level disaster status. Viking to blame #1: Carson Wentz Wentz has made a career of rescuing franchises in need of backup quarterback help, and finally got a chance to show what he could do after a solid 2025 season. The former Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles star was hamstrung all night. He looked unsure of himself on different reads and throws while Buffalo’s Jim Leonhard-coordinated defense began to key in on everything he did throughout the night. The results were grisly to say the least. Wentz finished with a completion percentage lower than 33%; 8-for-25, and compiled just 81 yards passing. He was intercepted twice by a hungry Bills defense that was able to pin its ears back and rush Wentz without any fear of overpursuing, since the Vikings’ Jordan Mason-led running game didn’t get a whole lot going. Wentz was thrust into the spotlight and fumbled his big chance like a hot potato. The circumstances were admittedly difficult, but that doesn’t excuse his abysmal play. Fans expect much better from the former second overall draft pick. The Vikings have an awful lot to think about after Wentz’s dud of a performance, and things might not change, even when Kyler Murray gets back from a hamstring strain suffered against the Detroit Lions. Viking to blame #2: Wes Phillips Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips is starting to look like a potential postseason causalty if the Vikings’ offense doesn’t get it together soon. The Vikings looked predictable, boring, and stale on offense as Phillips failed to utilize his personnel against a Bills defense that had them figured out from the opening drive. The Vikings got six points in the second quarter and were outscored 13-0 in the second half. That’s inexcusable for a star-studded offense that features Justin Jefferson, Wentz, Mason, Aaron Jones, TJ Hockenson, and Jordan Addison in front of a supportive and excited home crowd. Odell Beckham Jr. also joined the Vikings’ huddle, but failed to record a single stat as Phillips squandered his team’s talent on a forgettable night in the Twin Cities. Phillips is a bright guy and he plays for a head coach who knows offensive skill and intelligence when he sees it, but things simply haven’t worked out for much of the season in Minnesota. The Vikings need a better gameplan, more creativity, more buy-in, and more explosive plays in the coming weeks, or it won’t matter how good Flores’ defense is going forward. Viking to blame #3: Kevin O’Connell O’Connell has helped to revive the Vikings’ franchise this season and during his tenure in Minnesota, but his team’s performance in Week 9 was nearly unforgivable. The Vikings had a chance to test themselves against one of the AFC’s best teams and didn’t give fans anything to cheer about. O’Connell’s Vikings are going through trials and tribulations in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions, but they’re going to have to play much better than they did on Monday night to have any chance at contending for a Super Bowl. With a 6-2 record, Minnesota fell back to the NFC North pack, tied with Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears and Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions. The Green Bay Packers are lurking in the background with a record of 6-3 after rooting for O’Connell’s team to lose to Buffalo. It wasn’t just that the Vikings lost to the Bills that rankled the Minnesota faithful in Week 9, it was how they lost. The Vikings looked thoroughly out-coached from the opening kickoff and it happened during a week when everything aligned perfectly for O’Connell’s team, except for the quarterback situation. Murray’s forthcoming return at quarterback could shift the balance of power back in the Vikings’ favor, but Week 9 showed that the problems run far deeper than anyone expected. If O’Connell and his coaching staff can’t figure out a way to kick-start the running game, and the passing game for that matter, more hard times appear to be on the horizon, with the Packers next up on November 15 in Green Bay and the 49ers on deck after that. Related: Vikings Panic Meter: Can Minnesota win the NFC North with Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz? Related: Greg Rousseau gives Vikings defense props for challenging Josh Allen