Vikings trade for Kirk Cousins after Carson Wentz's 23-6 loss to the Bills

Bills win as the Vikings offense stalls

The Buffalo Bills beat Minnesota 23-6 on Monday, 9 November, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Josh Allen threw a touchdown pass with 44 seconds left before halftime, and James Cook carried 31 times for 107 yards. Tyler Bass kicked four field goals to extend his franchise-record streak to 25 straight, while Buffalo (7-1) matched its best eight-game start since 1993. Minnesota (6-2) managed only 86 total yards in the first half, and its first first down came on a penalty against Buffalo midway through the second quarter.

Wentz's night and the quarterback question

Carson Wentz started in place of Kyler Murray, who is week-to-week with a hamstring strain, and finished 8-of-25 for 81 yards with three turnovers. An early pass was thrown too high for Justin Jefferson, leaving a fumble near midfield that Buffalo recovered. Dorian Williams and Terrel Bernard both intercepted Wentz, and Max Brosmer replaced him midway through the fourth quarter. The defense recorded four sacks and an interception that Byron Murphy returned 55 yards, but the offense never sustained a drive long enough to change the game.

Wentz said the loss was hard to explain.

“It's hard to put my finger on the why.”

Head coach Kevin O'Connell said the team had chances to flip the game but never got Wentz into a rhythm, despite trying several options to help him.

“Just not even close offensively to what we want to be.”

The offense ranks 31st of 32 teams in both total and passing yards per game and 27th in points scored, even though the Vikings lead the league in fewest points allowed per game.

Vikings trade for Kirk Cousins

With their season in danger, the Vikings acquired Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders in a deal reported by multiple outlets, in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2027 draft. The New York Times said that pick is currently projected around No. 90. Cousins, who is 38, must pass a physical with Minnesota before the trade is finalized. He spent six seasons with the Vikings from 2018 to 2023, going 50-37-1 as a starter and earning three Pro Bowl selections. Minnesota went 13-4 and reached the playoffs in 2022, the season Justin Jefferson led the league with 128 receptions and 1,809 receiving yards. The Vikings had declined to offer Cousins a multiyear deal in spring 2024, when he was recovering from a serious injury, and he then started 14 games for Atlanta that fall.

Raiders hand the job to Fernando Mendoza

The trade clears the way for Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL Draft, to take over as Las Vegas's starter. He could make his first regular-season start on Sunday when the Raiders (4-5) host Seattle, and his first two scheduled starts come against Seattle and Denver. Cousins had gone 4-5 in nine starts for Las Vegas this season, throwing for 2,340 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek had said before the draft that they preferred to start a veteran while a rookie learned from the sideline.

Next games for both teams

Minnesota plays at Green Bay on Sunday, 15 November, and Murray is expected to miss that game. The Vikings' defense has kept them on playoff pace despite the scoring drought, according to N-tv. Cousins will have a short week to learn the offense before facing the Packers at Lambeau Field.