Wentz can't help struggling Vikings' offense or settle quarterback conundrum

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With each misfire by quarterback Carson Wentz, the boos directed at the Minnesota Vikings' sputtering offense grew louder on Monday night.

The reaction came from the same fanbase happy to see Wentz start against the Buffalo Bills after previous struggles from Kyler Murray. For as much as Minnesota's defense did its part against quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills, there are no answers at quarterback for Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell.

Starting for Murray — who is week-to-week with a hamstring strain — Wentz finished 8-of-25 passing for 81 yards and three turnovers in a 23-6 loss.

“To go kind of lay an egg, personally, the way I struggled early, especially with our defense playing as good as they’ve been all year, honestly," Wentz said. "They did it again tonight, and we just didn’t help them out. I didn’t help them out. It’s hard to put my finger on the why.”

Early on, Wentz fired high on several passes. One attempt, on the second offensive possession of the game, was ruled a backward pass and fumble as receiver Justin Jefferson’s leaping attempt to grab it kept the ball in play for an easy recovery by Buffalo.

Minnesota didn’t get a first down until a penalty on Buffalo midway through the second quarter. The Vikings had 86 total yards in the first half, aided by a seven-play, 46-yard drive in the final minute.

“Just not even close offensively to what we want to be,” O’Connell said. “I thought there was some opportunities to kind of flip that game a little bit, at multiple times, but we just never got Carson in a rhythm. We tried a bunch of tools to see if we could help that happen. I just didn’t do a good enough job.”

On the first drive of the second half, Wentz was intercepted by linebacker Dorian Williams, who had tight end T.J. Hockenson blanketed. On the next possession, Jordan Mason ran for 24 yards on three plays. Then Wentz targeted Jefferson and linebacker Terrel Bernard was standing in the way for another interception.

Bernard nearly had a second interception later in the quarter. Wentz had his foot stepped on by left guard Joe Huber as he threw, and the pass went straight to Bernard, who dropped it.

This was not the outcome O’Connell or the Vikings hoped for with Wentz against a Buffalo defense that had surrendered 254.7 passing yards per game coming in, the third-worst mark in the NFL.

“This one felt pretty terrible. I’m not going to lie," Wentz said of getting another start after filling in for Murray twice earlier this season.

Wentz completed just 1 of 8 passes in the second half before being replaced by Max Brosmer with 4:40 left.

Of course, Brosmer’s entrance brought cheers from the crowd. The second-year undrafted quarterback out of the University of Minnesota was 6 of 7 for 58 yards on his one drive that ended after a fourth-and-9 completion to Hockenson was a yard short.

Minnesota had a season-low 178 yards of offense. A defense that had allowed a league-low 13.3 points per game and was second in yards allowed per game to Seattle has no complementary component.

“Offensive side of the ball, that’s kind of the only missing piece at this very moment,” Jefferson said. “Defense is playing very good ball. Special teams are doing what they need to do. Will (Reichard) is making field goals. We just got to be better at sustaining some drives, extending plays, extending drives and putting points on the board.”

The conundrum at quarterback continues for Minnesota, which is 6-2 after back-to-back losses.

A stout defense and a devout fanbase are wondering when the answer will come.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) leaps for the ball over Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) as Jefferson attempts to catch the ball during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell looks onto the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Minneapolis, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left, reacts as Buffalo Bills cornerbacks Dee Alford (23) and Davison Igbinosun (21) and safety Geno Stone (25) celebrate a defensive stop during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) grimaces as he walks off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Minneapolis, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 25 points in 20-plus minutes, Yaxel Lendeborg had 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and the Golden State Warriors won their eighth straight game by running away from the undermanned New Orleans Pelicans early for a 138-87 victory Monday night.

Brandin Podziemski added 25 points while Curry wound up 6 for 10 with four 3-pointers coming off a 41-point performance in Saturday’s 126-119 overtime win against Orlando. He passed DeMar DeRozan (26,800) for 16th place on the NBA's career scoring list with 26,803.

Golden State had three players with at least 20 points for the second time this season and the Warriors finished with 30 or more assists — 37 — for the third straight game and fifth in the last six. They are 6-0 when doing so.

Injured guard Jimmy Butler dressed up like a member of the coaching staff and held a clipboard, writing “PASS TO STEPH” on it.

Golden State guard Brandon Williams injured his left hamstring and was scheduled for an MRI exam, according to coach Steve Kerr.

Derik Queen scored 16 points off the bench and Dejounte Murray added 12 points for the Pelicans, who were out of the game almost from the tipoff and trailed 72-43 at halftime on the way to losing a third straight after a four-game winning streak.

Golden State led 35-20 after one quarter as New Orleans shot just 7 of 23 and missed 10 of 12 3-point tries. The Warriors built a 23-point lead early in the second as Podziemski scored four quick points and rolled from there.

Charles Bassey contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench and De'Anthony Melton scored 16 with four 3s.

Lendeborg and Pelicans guard Jordan Poole, both former Michigan stars, traded jerseys afterward.

New Orleans rested Zion Williamson a night after a 139-123 road loss to the Clippers and Trey Murphy III also sat out to manage his troublesome knees after he scored 26 in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Warriors lost second-year guard Will Richard to a torn ligament in his left thumb and the team said he would weigh his options over the next week on whether to have surgery or wear a splint while playing.

Pelicans: Host Brooklyn on Wednesday night.

Warriors: At Houston on Wednesday night.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Golden State Warriors center Al Horford (20) scores a basket while New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Heather Diehl)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) guards New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Heather Diehl)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Heather Diehl)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) shoots the ball as Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg (1) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Heather Diehl)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against New Orleans Pelicans, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Heather Diehl)