The Minnesota Vikings fell to 6-2 on the season after a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, a defeat defined by a stagnant offense and the lowest quarterback rating of the season.
Carson Wentz, starting in place of Kyler Murray, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, finished 8-of-25 for 81 yards with two interceptions and a third dropped pass, resulting in a 2.3 QBR.
The #Vikings now have back-to-back losses after dropping to the Bills 23-6. @tatumeverett and @nacholeber have the full breakdown of tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/VgZUR8JDon
Wentz’s performance marked the lowest quarterback rating for a Vikings starter since Tarvaris Jackson recorded a 1.8 QBR in 2006, according to ESPN. His 2.3 QBR was the lowest for any quarterback this season and also represented the lowest Monday Night Football performance since Sam Darnold posted a 1.1 QBR for the New York Jets in 2019.
The offense struggled to maintain possession, holding the ball for only 17:28, a decrease from the 24:17 they held during a 19-15 loss to the Detroit Lions last week.
Couldn't be prouder for his guy to have his moment 👏 @BuffaloBills pic.twitter.com/ElpH7pUv8B
This one felt pretty terrible. I’m not going to lie.
Carson Wentz, Vikings quarterback
During the game, Wentz was checked out in the medical tent for an apparent lower leg injury.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell noted that the team attempted various tools to help the quarterback find a rhythm, but the offense was unable to capitalize on opportunities.
Josh Allen giving out some souvenirs on his way off the field 🙌 @BuffaloBills pic.twitter.com/PFbSeszR9O
Just not good enough in any way, shape or form.
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings head coach
Buffalo’s James Cook rushed 31 times for 107 yards, including a 47-yard run on the Bills’ final touchdown drive, which occurred with 6:17 remaining in the game to seal the victory.
The Bills’ offense, which entered the game averaging 33.3 points per game, overcame a heavy blitz from the Vikings. Allen completed 21 of 31 passes for 234 yards and one interception. He threw a 25-yard touchdown strike to tight end Keleki Latu with 44 seconds left before halftime, marking Latu’s first career score and first target of the season. Allen’s performance helped the Bills reach a 7-1 record, matching their best eight-game start since 1993.
The Bills’ defense recorded two interceptions in the third quarter. Linebacker Dorian Williams intercepted a pass intended for T.J. Hockenson at the Bills’ 11-yard line, and linebacker Terrel Bernard also recorded an interception. However, the Vikings’ offense finished with only 178 total yards, turning the ball over three times.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson was targeted 11 times but caught only three passes for 58 yards. In the first quarter, Wentz threw a backward pass to Jefferson that was too high, leading to a fumble recovered by Buffalo.
The Bills secured the win behind the leg of kicker Tyler Bass, who made three field goals. This extended Bass’s franchise-record streak to 24 consecutive successful attempts; he has made all 19 of his attempts in 2026 after missing the 2025 season due to injuries.
The Vikings’ roster was missing key players for the game. On the Buffalo side, starting left tackle Dion Dawkins (ribs) and starting left guard Alec Anderson (ankle) were inactive. For Minnesota, wide receiver Jauan Jennings (calf) and free safety Theo Jackson (quadriceps) did not play.
Turnovers and miscues hurt the #Vikings as they lose their 2nd game of the season. 📰: https://t.co/qfx0Me7hHd pic.twitter.com/QehLJmFCjm
The loss drops the Vikings to 6-2, as the surging Chicago Bears have taken first place in the NFC North, which is currently one game ahead of the fourth-place Green Bay Packers.
The Vikings are scheduled to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The Bills will travel to play the New York Jets on Sunday.
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