After starting the 2026 season with a 6-0 record, the Minnesota Vikings are now 6-2 after suffering a loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.
The defense did all it could, but it eventually could only do so much as the Vikings' offense struggled more than a blind person attempting to drive a car.
Minnesota's next opportunity to add a victory to their record will come next Sunday when they head out on the road to face the Green Bay Packers for a Week 10 showdown at Lambeau Field.
But before then, let's go over some of the initial takeaways from everything that happened inside U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday.
Immediate takeaways from Minnesota's disappointing loss to Buffalo
Minnesota NEEDS to trade for a QB on Tuesday
For the people who thought Carson Wentz starting at quarterback on Monday would help the Vikings put together an offensive performance that was average at worst, you couldn't have been more wrong.
Wentz looked out of sorts immediately against Buffalo on Monday, and it was clear that he wasn't going to be the one to rescue Minnesota from their offensive quicksand.
Before he was ultimately relieved of his terrible performance by Max Brosmer in the fourth quarter, Wentz finished 8-of-25 on his pass attempts for 81 passing yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions, which earned him a borderline impressive 8.9 passer rating.
Kyler Murray might not be the answer at quarterback for the Vikings this season, but Wentz proved he definitely isn't the answer with what he put out on the field on Monday.
Kevin O'Connell is a liar
All offseason long, we had to hear from Minnesota head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin O'Connell about how the team was finally going to embrace running the ball more this year, regardless of how much it struggled at times.
During the first few games of the season, it seemed like O'Connell was actually telling the truth, as the Vikings finished with at least 30 rushing attempts in three of their first five matchups. But in their last two games, O'Connell has ignored his rushing attack for unknown reasons.
Despite his quarterback struggling drive after drive on Monday, O'Connell continued to ignore the run plays on his call sheet.
Minnesota's running backs actually averaged 4.6 yards per carry against the Bills, including Jordan Mason, who averaged 5.8 yards per attempt on Monday. In the end, O'Connell only gave his running backs 11 carries against Buffalo, and honestly, no one should really be surprised.
At some point, this defense is going to get fed up
Despite having an offensive-minded head coach, the Vikings have one of the worst offenses in the NFL this season. Thankfully, Minnesota's defense is one of the best in the league in 2026, and the performance on that side of the ball is a big reason why they are 6-2 after eight games.
However, if the Vikings continue to put together three-play offensive drives that result in no points during the next few weeks, and it causes the team to lose more games, it's likely going to create a rift in the locker room between the defense and the offense.
Minnesota's defense can only do so much and they are literally doing more than almost any other defense in the NFL. But at some point, they need the Vikings' offense to make life even just a tiny bit easier for them.
And if they don't, then it could potentially result in some members of Minnesota's coaching staff (possibly even the head coach) being shown the door after the 2026 season.
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