Vikings QB Carson Wentz to start for injured Murray in upcoming Bills matchup

The clash of 6-1 teams took on a slightly new complexion on Thursday when the Vikings announced that Wentz would start at quarterback in place of Murray, who is week-to-week with a hamstring strain.

"For (Murray), his movement skills, and the way he plays the game, we do feel like we'd be putting him at risk of possibly turning this into a more significant injury than it is by trying to have him work through it here early on," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters.

"So, Carson will start the football game and Max (Brosmer) will back him up."

It will be the second start of the season for Wentz, who stepped in after Murray suffered a concussion in week one and led the Vikings to a massive comeback win over the division rival Green Bay Packers, where they scored 28 straight points. 

Wentz finished that game 12-of-19 for 133 yards and three touchdowns.

Wentz went on to lead the Vikings to another win the following week in a 9-3 win over the Chicago Bears, throwing for just 143 yards on 11-of-20 passing. 

To be sure, the Vikings' 6-1 record owes little to effective offense. The club ranks 27th in scoring and 29th in total yards.

They'll be counting on their defense, which is allowing a league-low 13 points per game, to shut down Allen and the Bills offense - who are averaging a league-best 33 points per game.

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson is having a career-worst year with the new Vikings offense, as he currently ranks 44th in the league with a brutal 335 yards through the team's first seven games.

But that's not going to stop the Vikings from trying to get him the ball more.

The Blitz-heavy Vikings defense has produced a league-leading 25 quarterback sacks, including at least four sacks in five of their seven games played.

Minnesota will be aiming to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, against the Detroit Lions, while Buffalo - unbeaten on the road - chase a fourth straight victory.