The Minnesota Vikings will look to maintain their grip on the NFC North when they travel to Florida's Raymond James Stadium to take on the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.
The Vikings began the season with Kyler Murray under center, lost him early in the opener against the Green Bay Packers, but still turned a 19-10 half-time deficit into a 39-22 win after enjoying a 22-0 scoring blitz in the fourth quarter.
While there were points aplenty in that game, Minnesota had to grind out their second win with Carson Wentz calling the shots, overcoming the Chicago Bears 9-3 in a rainstorm at Soldier Field.
The Buccaneers prop up the NFC South after finding different ways to lose their first two games and desperately need the win to get their season going in what looks a winnable division.
Todd Bowles's men were not able to recover from the Cincinnati Bengals' early onslaught, going 21-3 down in the second quarter before falling short in their comeback bid in the second half in a 33-27 defeat.
Last week's defeat to the Cleveland Browns is perhaps a more bitter pill to swallow having controlled much of the game, only for Deshaun Watson to find the end zone late in the third and fourth quarters to snatch a 23-19 success.
The pressure is on with Baker Mayfield's Bucs now looking to avoid back-to-back defeats at home and going 0-3, while they will be up against a Vikings side that is starting with yet another change at QB as Murray has been cleared to return.
Vikings vs. Buccaneers Betting Picks & Predictions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers ML (-105)
It has not been the start to the season that the Bucs would have wanted and Mayfield is under pressure to deliver when it matters, but they look worth backing as a home underdog as they look to get their season going.
While they have lost their first two games, Bowles' men have had their periods of control, even against the Bengals, and they need to play more consistently over 60 minutes.
As well as homefield advantage, what also works in their favour are wildly variable factors that will affect the Vikings, who will be facing wholly different conditions from the rainstorm of last week, while they are making yet another change at QB.
Murray is something of an unknown for the Vikings after completing just three of five passes for 18 yards against the Packers, having taken just 11 snaps for his new team before suffering a concussion on a scramble.
To their credit, the Vikings have dealt tremendously well with their enforced rotation in the most key position but it surely is not sustainable, and the more desperate Buccaneers look capable of being the first to take advantage.
Bucky Irving 60+ Rushing Yards (+100)
Bucky Irving looks more than capable of hitting at least 60 yards on the ground at plus odds, with the Vikings having given up 200 yards in their two games already, and the former Oregon Duck should be given plenty of carries.
The Bengals' fast start saw the Bucs playing catch-up with Irving rushing for 45 yards off only eight carries, but his workload was more than doubled in a much closer game against the Browns and he gained 89 yards - averaging more than five yards a carry in both games.
The Bucs will likely want to use the run game to ease the pressure on Mayfield, as well as open up the play-action later on, and 60 yards looks very achievable for the home star running back.
Justin Jefferson 80+ Receiving Yards (+120)
Kyler Murray's return will likely be music to the ears of Justin Jefferson, with the former Arizona Cardinals QB expected to make the Vikings' offense more aggressive, be it with his legs or through the air.
Jefferson is the clear go-to guy for the Vikings signal caller and caught eight of nine targets for 92 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay and while he could not quite follow that up in Chicago (three of six for 55 yards) there were extenuating circumstances given the weather.
In much sunnier and drier climes and with a more aggressive QB, Jefferson could have a big day on Sunday.
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Vikings vs. Buccaneers odds
Minnesota Vikings | -115 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -105 |
Spread | MIN Vikings -1.5 |
Total | O/U 42.5 |
Vikings vs. Buccaneers player props
Anytime touchdown
Aaron Jones (MIN Vikings) | -115 |
Bucky Irving (TB Buccaneers) | +110 |
Justin Jefferson (MIN Vikings) | +140 |
Emeka Egbuka (TB Buccaneers) | +220 |
Jordan Addison (MIN Vikings) | +270 |
T.J. Hockenson (MIN Vikings) | +280 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
