Unassuming Vikings remain unbeaten in Tampa Bay

Minnesota travelled to Tampa Bay looking to maintain its unbeaten start to the 2026 season, while the Buccaneers were desperate to avoid falling to 0-3. Both teams have built their identity on defense, making for a scrappy game at Raymond James Stadium.

The Vikings opened the scoring on their first possession, with Will Reichard drilling a 54-yard field goal after Tampa Bay’s defence stiffened beyond midfield. Minnesota then delivered the game’s first major play shortly after on special teams.

After the Buccaneers were forced to punt on their opening possession, Myles Price found a seam down the left sideline and raced 86 yards for a touchdown – the first score from a kick/punt return in the league this season. Suddenly, Minnesota had a 10-0 lead without its offense needing to find the end zone.

Tampa Bay finally responded on their next possession. Baker Mayfield escaped pressure before finding rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst III behind the defence, with Hurst taking the pass 40 yards for his first NFL touchdown.

The Buccaneers then tied the game early in the second quarter after driving into Vikings territory, with Chase McLaughlin converting a 28-yard field goal.

Minnesota regained the lead just before halftime. Kyler Murray, returning after missing most of the opening two games with a heavy concussion, found Jordan Addison for a 41-yard touchdown. Addison, who needed to step up as star receiving partner Justin Jefferson had been ruled out with an ankle injury, made a twisting catch near the sideline before completing the play in the end zone, giving the Vikings a 17-10 supremacy at the break.

The third quarter was when the game really shifted into the defensive battle most anticipated.

Tampa Bay’s defence began to consistently disrupt Murray, while the Buccaneers finally created a major turnover opportunity when Vita Vea deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage. A’Shawn Robinson intercepted it, giving Tampa Bay possession deep in Minnesota territory.

Unfortunately for the Bucs, they could only manage a 38-yard field goal from McLaughlin, cutting the deficit to four. Tampa Bay repeatedly moved the ball into scoring range but penalties and negative plays prevented the offence from capitalising.

That trend continued when Chris Godwin appeared to have broken free for an enormous touchdown, only for the play to be wiped out by a holding penalty.

McLaughlin eventually edged Tampa Bay even closer in the fourth quarter, converting from 54 yards to bring the Bucs within a single point with nine minutes remaining.

Minnesota responded with a crucial drive that consumed nearly six minutes before Reichard calmly converted a clutch 56-yard field goal, restoring a four-point advantage with just over three minutes left.

The Buccaneers had no choice but to find one final touchdown drive to steal the victory, but their afternoon unravelled in similar style to last week against the Cleveland Browns.

Mayfield was unable to cope with relentless pressure before scrambling on 4th and 13. His desperate pass was intercepted by Andrew Van Ginkel, with Mayfield taking a hit to his throwing hand on the play. The quarterback was later diagnosed with a dislocated thumb and will undergo further examination throughout the coming week.

Minnesota added one final Reichard field goal with 37 seconds remaining, extending the lead to 7. Tampa Bay turned to rookie Jalon Daniels for its final possession in Mayfield’s absence, but after a 9-yard scramble and a pair of incompletions, Daniels’ desperation Hail Mary was intercepted by Isaiah Rodgers to seal the Vikings’ victory.

Minnesota improved to 3-0 despite producing just 230 yards of offence, while Tampa Bay were unable to avoid the dreaded 0-3 mark. The Vikings’ defence, special teams and timely kicking ultimately proved enough, while the Buccaneers now face significant uncertainty at quarterback heading into Week 4.

Touchdowns
Minnesota: Price, Addison
Tampa Bay: Hurst III

Top Performers
Minnesota: Addison, Reichard, Wilson, Van Ginkel, Van Noy, Rodgers
Tampa Bay: Vea, McLaughlin, Robinson, Anzalone

Injuries
Minnesota: Jefferson (ankle)
Tampa Bay: Mayfield (thumb), McMillan (knee)

Crowd: 61,212 at Raymond James Stadium