Josh Allen & Carson Wentz wear down Vikings defense, Bills win 23-6

Summary of Josh Allen & Carson Wentz wear down Vikings defense, Bills win 23-6

by The Athletic

26m•November 10, 2026
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Overview of Josh Allen & Carson Wentz wear down Vikings defense, Bills win 23-6

The Athletic Football Show breaks down Buffalo’s 23-6 win over Minnesota on Monday night, focusing on two opposite storylines: the Bills’ offense grinding out a difficult road win behind Josh Allen’s big-play talent, and the Vikings’ offense collapsing in a disastrous Carson Wentz performance. The hosts argue that Minnesota’s defense played at a truly elite level, but the offense was so bad that it wasted one of the league’s best defensive efforts and may force the Vikings to make a move before the trade deadline.

Main Takeaways

  • The Bills won with toughness, not style points.

    • Buffalo leaned into a physical, run-heavy approach after struggling early.
    • Josh Allen still made several game-breaking plays, including a deep touchdown and multiple improvised scrambles/throws.
    • The Bills were able to outlast Minnesota by controlling the clock and staying patient.

  • The Vikings defense was outstanding.

    • Minnesota held Buffalo to its worst points per drive of the season.
    • The Bills also posted one of their worst EPA/play and success-rate outputs of the year.
    • The hosts describe the Vikings’ defense as a “wagon” and one of the best units in the NFL.

  • Carson Wentz had a nightmare game.

    • Wentz finished with roughly 80 passing yards, two interceptions, and a fumble on his first snap.
    • The hosts call it one of the worst quarterback performances they’ve seen in years by efficiency metrics.
    • His inability to work through reads or avoid forcing throws to Justin Jefferson doomed the offense.

Vikings Offense: Why This Feels Like a Crisis

A historically bad QB night

The discussion centered on how damaging Wentz was for Minnesota. He repeatedly forced throws into tight coverage, ignored underneath options, and failed to give the offense any rhythm. Even with elite weapons like Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, the Vikings were unable to sustain drives.

The problem is bigger than one game

The hosts stressed that the Vikings offense had already been mediocre or worse before this loss. Wentz’s performance made a bad situation look untenable, especially with a defense good enough to win games if the offense could simply be functional.

Trade deadline urgency

The strongest argument from the show was that Minnesota cannot let the trade deadline pass without trying to upgrade the offense. Ideas floated included:

  • Trading for a quarterback
  • Adding a running back
  • Making a broader offensive upgrade

The point: this defense is too good to waste on a noncompetitive offense.

Bills Notes: How Buffalo Won

Josh Allen did Josh Allen things

Allen was not flawless, but he made the high-difficulty plays that separate elite quarterbacks from everyone else. The hosts highlighted:

  • A deep touchdown throw
  • A designed run conversion
  • Several “superhuman” improvisations when Buffalo needed them most

Buffalo adjusted to the game environment

The Bills started trying to play more conventionally, but eventually leaned into a rugged, old-school formula:

  • Run the ball
  • Win situational downs
  • Use Allen as the difference-maker on a handful of critical plays

That approach wore down Minnesota’s defense over time, especially after long drives and heavy time of possession.

Defensive Standouts and Game-Changing Plays

Vikings defenders who stood out

The hosts gave a lot of credit to Minnesota’s defense, especially:

  • Blake Cashman, who was everywhere and made key stops, including a breakup near the goal line
  • Ivan Pace Jr., who flashed with disruptive plays
  • Dallas Turner, who added pressure and impact plays
  • Josh Metellus, who erased a Bills gadget play at the catch point

Bills defensive positives

Even though the main focus was on Wentz’s struggles, Buffalo’s defense also earned praise:

  • Pressure up front
  • Better discipline in coverage
  • Strong play from pass rushers like Greg Rousseau and Ed Oliver
  • A more aggressive, better organized defensive identity overall

Trade Deadline and What Happens Next

The episode closes with a bigger-picture conversation about the upcoming trade deadline and what both teams should do:

  • Minnesota needs to act.

    • The defense is too good to stand pat.
    • The team is in a highly competitive NFC North, making offensive stagnation especially dangerous.

  • Buffalo may also be active.

    • The hosts mention possible defensive back help.
    • They note the Bills have at least looked more flexible and opportunistic as the deadline approaches.

Notable Stats and Observations

  • Bills win: 23-6
  • Wentz: roughly 80 passing yards, 2 INTs, 1 fumble
  • Vikings defense:
    • Held Buffalo to its worst points per drive of the season
    • Forced Buffalo into one of its worst efficiency outings of the year
  • The game was heavily influenced by time of possession, with Buffalo eventually wearing down Minnesota’s defense

Bottom Line

This was a game that reinforced two truths at once: Buffalo is dangerous because Josh Allen can rescue imperfect performances, and Minnesota has a defense good enough to contend. But the Vikings’ offense, especially with Carson Wentz at quarterback, looked so broken that the hosts believe the team must make a serious move soon or risk wasting an elite defensive season.