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Vikings Coach O'Connell Confident Wentz Will Lead Team Against Bills
Confirmed
In Short: Wentz, who has started seven games for the Vikings since joining the team, has completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 1,492 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Wentz, who has started seven games for the Vikings since joining the team, has completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 1,492 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions.
The Vikings, who are coming off their first loss of the season, will face the Bills in a primetime matchup.
The team's decision to start Wentz over Kyler Murray, who is sidelined with a hamstring strain, has been a topic of discussion.
O'Connell's confidence in Wentz is bolstered by the quarterback's past success, including his role in the Rams' Super Bowl victory in 2021.
Despite the recent loss, the Vikings have shown promise, scoring 10 touchdowns in their six wins this season.
The upcoming game against the Bills will be a significant test for the Vikings, as they look to maintain their position in the NFC playoff race.
What this adds
O'Connell's decision to start Wentz over Murray is part of a larger strategy to manage injuries and maintain offensive continuity.
The Vikings have also signed Jeshaun Jones to their practice squad, adding further depth to the receiving corps.
Background
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Thursday that veteran quarterback Carson Wentz will start in place of Kyler Murray, who is sidelined with a hamstring strain.
What's confirmed
- Beckham is signing with the Vikings practice squad, Minnesota announced on Wednesday.
- Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell was the Rams’ offensive coordinator when Beckham won Super Bowl LVI with Los Angeles to cap the 2021 season.
What's still developing
- Part of the fuel for that speculation was the decision by wide receiver Justin Jefferson not to speak to media members after the Vikings scored 15 points against the Detroit Lions in their first loss of the season, which came at Ford Field last Sunday.
- The Vikings have scored 10 touchdowns in their six wins and, per ESPN, they are tied for the third-fewest touchdowns during a 6-0 start in NFL history.
- “The far off changes a little bit as you go, but I’m very, very confident we’ll get it going.” The Vikings will kick off November with a trip to Detroit before moving on to face the Bills, Packers, 49ers and Falcons over the rest of the month.
- The Vikings have also signed receiver Jeshaun Jones to their practice squad.
- The move adds depth behind injured star Justin Jefferson and marks a reunion for Beckham with head coach Kevin O’Connell, who was his offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
- In the end, the 33-year-old star wide receiver wound up with the Minnesota Vikings.
- Murray opened his Vikings career by completing three of five passes for 18 yards and throwing an interception before leaving the 39-22 win over Green Bay.
- Murray has played only 11 offensive snaps this season after suffering a concussion in Week 1, while Wentz has helped the Vikings finish off victories over the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.
- The Minnesota Vikings are elevating wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the practice squad, according to ESPN.
- If they are out for the game, the Vikings get some backup with OBJ, who joins a WR room that also includes Jauan Jennings.
- Reports across multiple months pointed to off-the-field consistency issues that compounded McCarthy’s on-field struggles The Minnesota Vikings finally moved on from the former first-round quarterback, and the return tells you everything about where things stood.
- Justin Jefferson will miss the Dolphins game, but the Vikings have already revealed the target date for his highly anticipated return.