Power rankings in Week 2 discuss Vikings’ regression

The law of averages can be cruel, most certainly for a team that so often evaded it in 2022.

This could quickly go off the rails.

The Vikings’ No. 23 overall pick scored the first points of the season, a 39-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter to give the Vikings a 7-3 lead over the Buccaneers. More importantly, he capitalized on the kind of coverage the team typically faces. All-Pro Justin Jefferson was double-teamed on the play. Addison simply ran past a safety that also appeared to be keeping his eye on Jefferson, and hauled in a Kirk Cousins pass for one of the easier deep touchdown receptions you’ll see. — Kevin Seifert

What was that? The Vikings did more of what they did last season, getting lost a little when Justin Jefferson wasn’t doing their thing. The sloppiness replaced last year’s fourth-quarter magic in what will be a regression to mean season in Minnesota.

They turned it over three times in the loss to Tampa Bay, which isn’t a good way to start the season. Now they head to Philadelphia to play the Eagles on a short week, which is a challenge.

Are the Minnesota Vikings worse than “we” thought? Are the Buccaneers better? Or could it be that the Vikings were never very good to begin with, and the Buccaneers’ overall roster is not bad at all?

Through just a single game, it’s nearly impossible to know who will be among the league’s elite and who will stumble later.

But one thing that we can absolutely be upset about is the offense forgetting that the best wide receiver on the planet is on their roster. After 138 yards on seven catches in the first half, Jefferson was targeted only twice in the second half after 10 in the first 30 minutes.

Tampa Bay’s defense did not magically change their defensive philosophy in the third and fourth quarters. In a close game, not getting your best playmaker involved is inexcusable.

Last season, the Vikings had plenty of games in which they were outplayed but they ended up winning close. On Sunday they outplayed the Buccaneers for the most part, but fell short in a close game. When people talked about the Vikings regressing this season, that’s what it looks like.

For all the encouraging signs Brian Flores’ undermanned defense showed against Tampa, the Vikings still couldn’t take the ball away or get a crucial stop late. In the end, three offensive turnovers cost them dearly. Perhaps it’s a sign that this year’s Minnesota squad won’t have the same fortune as its 2022 counterparts, who thrived in close-game situations. But then, the Vikings almost won a game in which they were minus-3 in turnovers; teams who were minus-3 or worse in regular-season games in 2022 went 1-37. This was not a great Week 1 showing, but I am not ready to write this team off, them either. It’s just that there are enough tough games upcoming that it’s hard not to be somewhat uneasy. 

I’ll go ahead and say it: Minnesota was the better team Sunday; they just didn’t win. Obviously, that’s not going to help them reach the playoffs, but I’m just saying it’s too early to freak out. Clean up the turnovers and you win that game. No need to reinvent the wheel – although Thursday night in Philadelphia promises to provide a much bigger challenge.

Baker Mayfield woke up feeling dangerous, and Kirk Cousins woke up feeling generous. So generous that he gave the Buccaneers the ball three times. if those two fumbles go away, the Vikings probably win, but “ifs” and “whats” are for sniffing butts. They have Philadelphia on a short week this Thursday Night, so may Kirk and the Vikings live long and prosper.

The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2023 season aiming to repeat as NFC North champs, prove that last year’s 13-win season wasn’t a fluke and improve defensively over last year’s 31st-place finish.

Strictly in terms of yards allowed, the Vikings accomplished that last goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs had only 242 total yards and went 6-of-17 on third down.

However, the Vikings’ offense let them down in critical moments. Quarterback Kirk Cousins racked up 344 passing yards, but he also committed three turnovers, including a goal-line interception.

After the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell stood up for his quarterback while speaking to reporters.

“Didn’t mind the decision,” he said. “We’ll take a look if location could’ve been better. I want him to be aggressive. We fit that ball in there and score and everyone thinks it’s great execution.”

Still, it’s hardly the start to the season Cousins and the Vikings were looking for. They’re now headed to Philadelphia on a short turnaround to face an Eagles team that destroyed them last year.