Vikings vs. Buccaneers: Staff preview and predictions

Tyler Forness

Fri, Sep 8, 2023, 4:30 PM·4 min read

We are finally in week one of the NFL regular season as the Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The first game of the season is filled with storylines, including new coordinators for both teams in Brian Flores and Dave Canales.

As we look at the first regular season game, seeing how each team comes out of the gate is going to set the tone for the rest of the year.

As a staff, we at Vikings Wire are going to bring you in-depth preview content from every angle. In our two staff pieces, we each identified one player to watch and break down four storylines to watch. The last one breaks down our score preview for the game.

Managing Editor Tyler Forness

The Vikings are 1-0 in season openers under head coach Kevin O’Connell when the walloped the Green Bay Packers 23-7 last season. This year, they could throw the Buccaneers some things they haven’t seen the Vikings do before as the shift to more 12 personnel. The weapons for the Buccaneers are still really good, but the rest of the team has a lot of holes. Expect the Vikings to get the win, this one also by double digits.

Vikings 31, Buccaneers 17

Columnist Judd Zulgad

Given the Vikings’ early season schedule, it’s extremely important they get off to a good start and beat the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay won the NFC South last season with an 8-9 record, but Tom Brady has officially retired and Baker Mayfield is his replacement. This is pretty much an ideal opener for the Vikings ahead of a tough Week 2, Thursday night matchup in Philadelphia.

Vikings 28, Tampa Bay 10

Columnist Kevin Fielder

The Buccaneers are in the middle of a minor rebuild, headlined by a new offensive coordinator (Dave Canales) and quarterback (Baker Mayfield). While that significantly weakens the Bucaneers, they still have talent on both sides of the ball. Wide receiver Mike Evans, defensive tackle Vita Vea, and linebacker Lavonte Davis are among the best players at their respective position, and stopping them will be a challenge for the Vikings. However, the Vikings offense should do enough to keep them on the front foot for most of this game. It won’t be easy, but the Vikings should come away with a win.

Vikings 29, Buccaneers 23

Columnist Saivion Mixson

The Buccaneers are looking towards the future. They had their run with Tom Brady at the helm and now it’s time to settle back to reality. The Vikings are looking towards the future as well, just not in the same capacity. With their offensive firepower, the Vikings can make some noise in an NFC that is very much up for grabs. While some of Tampa Bay’s returning talent does present a challenge, there is still the huge question of Baker Mayfield at quarterback. If Flores and his attacking style of defense can bother Baker early, Tampa could be in for a long day.

Vikings 31, Tampa Bay 16

Bucs Wire Managing Editor River Wells

Tampa Bay was always going to have a hard time playing the Vikings on the road, but a new offensive coordinator and quarterback along with an incredibly young roster is going to make it a lot harder. The Vikings have a lot to prove going into this matchup, and while their defense may be a bit suspect, weapons like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should test a strong Bucs defense and do enough to get the win.

Vikings 27, Bucs 17

Bucs Wire Columnist Luke Adragna

It might take a few games for the Buccaneers offense to gather its footing behind Baker Mayfield, and it won’t start on the road at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mayfield will prove some of his doubters wrong and keep Tampa Bay afloat. However, the Vikings’ home field advantage and high-scoring offense will prove to be too difficult for the Buccaneers to overcome. Minnesota fans will be pleased with a Week 1 victory but will hope to see more improvements in its defensive unit under Brian Flores.

Vikings 31, Buccaneers 24

Bucs Wire Columnist Jason Kanno

While many are writing off the Bucs as playing for the future, Tampa Bay simply does not see it that way. They still have a potentially explosive offense and a reliable defense. The key to the game will be whether the Bucs’ offensive line can keep Baker Mayfield mostly clean of pressure, which is something Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores will try to dial up with every blitz imaginable. If Tampa Bay’s revamped offensive front can keep pace ahead of Minnesota’s retooled defense, this game could come down to scoring slugfest.

Buccaneers 27, Vikings 24