Taken at face value, the Buffalo Bills' Week 9 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings is one of the biggest games of the young NFL season. Two 6-1 teams, each at the top of their respective conferences, each with elite units, facing off on Monday Night Football? It's must-see TV.
There's much more to it than that, though. Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray has been dealing with a hamstring injury, and according to Adam Schefter, he's set to miss Monday night's game. Carson Wentz will get the start for Minnesota.
With Wentz under center, the Bills face a dramatically different (and potentially more dangerous) Vikings offense. Buffalo can't afford to fall into the trap that Wentz presents.
Kyler Murray injury gives Bills a whole new challenge vs. Vikings
It's not often that an injury to a starting quarterback brings improvement to an offense. That's exactly what the Vikings could be looking at, though. Murray has been underwhelming this season, to say the least, and Wentz could actually lift Minnesota's passing game.
Murray currently averages -0.16 EPA per pass this year, which ranks 28th out of 35 qualifying quarterbacks, per Sumersports. Across five games last season, Wentz averaged 0.0 EPA per pass. He was a slightly below-average quarterback by most metrics.
He's limited, especially in pushing the ball downfield, but he can still operate a moderately functional NFL offense when called upon. The same can't be said for Murray this season.
Wentz and Murray couldn't be more different from one another. Murray relies on his scrambling ability and throws almost exclusively outside the numbers. Wentz is slightly more mobile than a statue at this point in his career, but he's willing to throw the ball over the middle of the field.
Now that Murray is officially out, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will have to completely shift his game plan to account for Wentz.
Bills can't afford to overlook Carson Wentz in Week 9
The Bills need to be ready for a more effective passing attack with Wentz under center. The veteran QB is going to get the ball to his receivers quickly and let them make plays.
In each of Wentz's five starts last year, Justin Jefferson logged at least 70 receiving yards and eclipsed 120 twice. He still hasn't hit the century mark with Murray under center. Against a shaky Buffalo secondary, Jefferson could be set to have his best game of the season.
Minnesota's offense hasn't been effective so far this year, but it might click into gear with a quarterback change. If the Bills aren't prepared for the different elements that Wentz brings to the table, this game could be the Vikings' offensive awakening.
Leonhard can't afford to let that happen.
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