Bills Beat Vikings 23-6 on Monday Night Football as Carson Wentz Struggles in Place of Kyler Murray

The Buffalo Bills beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 on Monday Night Football, November 9, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, as the Vikings' offense collapsed in front of a national television audience. Carson Wentz, starting in place of the injured Kyler Murray, threw two interceptions, lost a fumble, and was benched with 4:40 left in the fourth quarter. The Bills improved to 7-1, while the Vikings fell to 6-2 — their second straight loss after winning their first six games.

American football quarterback in a blue uniform throwing a pass on Monday night under bright stadium lights in a domed stadium


Wentz and the Vikings' Offense Fall Apart

The Vikings' offense was an utter disaster from the start. Wentz completed 7 of 15 passes for 75 yards in the first half, losing the ball on a fumble, as Minnesota ran just 24 plays for 86 yards and went 0-for-5 on third-down conversions. Loud boos rained down from the stands at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the Vikings trailed 10-6 at halftime despite a strong performance from Brian Flores' defense, which sacked Josh Allen three times and picked him off once — Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted Allen in the end zone and returned it 55 yards. Wentz briefly found a rhythm in the final minute of the half, completing three passes for 51 yards to set up a field goal, but the second half was worse: he threw interceptions on back-to-back drives, including a Terrel Bernard pick while targeting Justin Jefferson, and was 7-of-21 for 75 yards early in the fourth quarter before head coach Kevin O'Connell finally put Brosmer into the game with the Vikings down 17 points.

Allen, Cook and the Bills Do Just Enough

The Bills were far from sharp themselves — Allen completed 13 of 20 passes for 122 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the first half — but they did enough. Allen's 25-yard touchdown pass to Keleki Latu gave Buffalo the lead, and James Cook's 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, his 30th carry of the game and his eighth touchdown of 2026, pushed the lead to 20-6. Greg Rousseau added a 6-yard sack of Wentz, and the Bills' defense held Minnesota to six points all night. The win keeps Buffalo among the AFC's best at 7-1, while the Vikings dropped from first to third in the NFC North, behind the Chicago Bears (7-2) and Detroit Lions (6-3), and only a half-game ahead of the last-place Green Bay Packers (6-3) — who the Vikings face on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

What the Loss Means for Minnesota

The Vikings' issue is now a full-blown quarterback question. Wentz was making his first start since Week 2 because of Murray's hamstring injury, and his performance — 75 passing yards through three quarters, two interceptions, a fumble, and a benching — raised immediate questions about whether Minnesota will trade for a quarterback on Tuesday, the day after the game. The offense has now delivered two straight losses after a 6-0 start, and the schedule does not ease up: at Green Bay on Sunday, November 15, in a game that could decide the NFC North. For the latest on Monday Night Football, follow our NFL coverage. See our NFL Week 10 preview for what comes next, including the Vikings' trip to Lambeau Field.

American football defensive player sacking the quarterback under bright Monday night stadium lights


Bills vs Vikings Final Score and Key Stats

Final score: Buffalo Bills 23, Minnesota Vikings 6. Scoring by quarter: Bills 3-7-3-10, Vikings 0-6-0-0. Tyler Bass kicked field goals for Buffalo, including a 39-yarder in the first quarter; Will Reichard kicked two field goals for Minnesota, from 43 and 53 yards. Allen finished the first half 13-of-20 for 122 yards, one touchdown and one interception; Wentz was 7-of-15 for 75 yards in the first half with a fumble. Cook's fourth-quarter touchdown was his eighth of the season. The Bills outgained the Vikings 143 to 86 in the first half alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of Bills vs Vikings on Monday Night Football?

The Buffalo Bills beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 on Monday, November 9, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Who started at quarterback for the Vikings against the Bills?

Carson Wentz started for Minnesota in place of Kyler Murray, who was out with a hamstring injury. Wentz was benched late in the fourth quarter for Brosmer after throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble.

How did Josh Allen play against the Vikings?

Josh Allen completed 13 of 20 passes for 122 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the first half, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Keleki Latu. He was sacked three times by the Vikings' defense.

How many touchdowns did James Cook score against Minnesota?

James Cook scored one touchdown — a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter on his 30th carry of the game — his eighth touchdown of the 2026 season. The score made it 20-6.

What are the Bills' and Vikings' records after the game?

The Bills improved to 7-1, while the Vikings fell to 6-2 — their second consecutive loss after starting the season 6-0. Minnesota dropped to third in the NFC North behind Chicago (7-2) and Detroit (6-3).

Who do the Bills and Vikings play next?

The Vikings visit the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, November 15, in Week 10. The Bills visit the New York Jets on Sunday, November 15.

Related Coverage



Comments

Post a Comment