Nordo’s Numbers: Week 9 vs. Buffalo

Vikings Nordo's Numbers: Week 9 vs. Buffalo Photo Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images By Preet Shah - November 9, 2026 The Minnesota Vikings came into Monday night needing a win to keep pace with the rest of the NFC North, who all took care of business on Sunday. Across from them, the Buffalo Bills looked to spoil the party and Adrian Peterson ’s halftime Ring of Honor induction with a win right before the looming trade deadline. The Vikings were without Kyler Murray , who sustained a hamstring injury late last week, which led to Carson Wentz ’s second start of the year. The first half was low-scoring but eventful, with the Vikings and Bills exchanging turnovers on back-to-back plays. But the offense was anemic despite strong play from the defense and special teams, particularly punt returner Myles Price . The Bills offense finally found a rhythm and capped a drive with a touchdown to make it 10-3, but a second Will Reichard field goal sent the Vikings into halftime down 10-6. The third quarter produced one of the worst displays of quarterbacking in Vikings history. Wentz turned the ball over again and again. By the time the Bills went up 20-6, the game was all but over. Here are five numbers to break down Minnesota’s painful loss to Buffalo. 119 Byron Murphy traveled 119 yards on his interception, hawking down the receiver and returning the interception out of the end zone. Murphy made an incredible play on the football, tracking it down as it hung in the air on a coverage assignment that wasn’t his. D.J. Moore had found his way behind the coverage, and Josh Allen delivered a deep shot with Jalen Redmond bearing down on him. Murphy used his speed to undercut the ball and make an incredible return, taking it to midfield. BYRON MURPHY PICKS IT OFF IN THE END ZONE BUFvsMIN on ESPN⁰Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/pJikc7Dtdj — NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2026 The Vikings offense was, shocker, unable to do anything with the gift they received, turning the ball over on the very next play. Minnesota’s offense has continued to squander the chances their offense and special teams have provided. This defense is built to contend deep into the postseason, but they can’t do it alone. 11 The Vikings offense had only 11 yards in the first quarter, their lowest in any quarter this season. The quarterback change didn’t change any of the problems that have been flummoxing the offensive coaching staff and maddening fans. Wentz looked way too amped up early, unable to find a rhythm as he over- and under-threw his targets on every dropback. He had an early turnover with a backward throw behind the line of scrimmage, which led to a fumble the Bills recovered. Ruled a backwards pass and a fumble. Bills ball BUFvsMIN on ESPN⁰Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/uh9WOuWD64 — NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2026 Justin Jefferson was targeted three times on the first three drives, but every pass was uncatchable. It got to a point where Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were openly joking and speculating about the Vikings either making a trade or calling players like Drew Brees out of retirement. It took the offense until five minutes into the second quarter to get its first down of the game. The trade deadline is on Tuesday afternoon, and right now Minnesota’s defense is playing at the highest possible level and has willed this team to a division lead despite getting no offensive help. They need support. The Vikings need to make a move to spark the offense. If it’s a quarterback or running back, they must do something. 3 Wentz was less careful with the ball than Kyler Murray , turning the ball over three times. For all the Vikings’ offensive issues, they had been fairly good at not turning the ball over under Murray. That wouldn’t be the case on Sunday. Wentz consistently killed any momentum this offense had, though he couldn’t generate much momentum either. After the backward pass to Jefferson that was recorded as a fumble — and which abruptly ended the momentum from Byron Murphy ’s interception — Wentz threw two more picks in the third quarter, both deep in Bills territory when the offense would have chances to take the lead or even score. Intercepted by Dorian Williams! BUFvsMIN on ESPN⁰Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/7s9Pvu0p4g — NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2026 Wentz constantly killed the team’s momentum, throwing game-changing interceptions or repeatedly missing wide-open players. 0 Wentz threw for zero yards in the third quarter, including two interceptions and one meatball sub that a Bills defender dropped. is this AI pic.twitter.com/Xp2oB62gJh — Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 10, 2026 One of those turnovers negated the benefits of an excellent kickoff return and stellar field position to start the half. Wentz underthrew a tight-end seam route to T.J. Hockenson , one that Murray had made all season. The next drive wasn’t much better. A fter three good runs from Jordan Mason , Wentz again took the air out of the stadium when he failed to see the linebacker lurking underneath, who caught a pass that looked intended for him. Terrel Bernard's turn to get an INT! BUFvsMIN on ESPN⁰Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/uFYeV8aTc9 — NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2026 Wentz would go eight for 25 for fewer than 100 yards, a mark that is unacceptable against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Max Brosmer replaced him late in the game with nothing left on the line and looked like the superior quarterback. 42:33 The Bills possessed the ball for 42:33, doubling Minnesota’s time of possession. The Vikings offense did the defense no favors with constant turnovers and three-and-outs. This felt a lot like last week’s game, yet somehow more impressive from the defense. Despite being on the field so long against such a high-powered offense, they kept it a one-score game until late in the fourth quarter. But you can’t expect them to stay on the field that long without eventually breaking down. We saw it with Jahmyr Gibbs last week and Cook this week; eventually, an exhausted defense becomes easy to run on. Preet Shah All Articles