The Vikings won’t be thrilled with how their offense performed in Sunday’s 23-16 win over the Buccaneers, but they had a lot to like on defense.
Brian Flores’ group sacked Baker Mayfield six times and forced him to throw an interception that sealed the victory just after the two-minute warning. The Bucs added their final points of the day on a field goal shortly after the injury and rookie Jalon Daniels took the final snaps for the Bucs as Mayfield was already in the locker room.
Mayfield left because he slammed his right thumb on Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman while he was being hit after throwing the aforementioned interception. Mayfield’s cries of pain after the game could be heard on the Fox broadcast and he went straight to the locker room after getting up. Mayfield finished the day 17 of 34 for 217 yards and a touchdown and the 0-3 Bucs are hoping the news on his thumb is better than it appeared on the field.
The Vikings only had 77 yards of offense after the break as Kyler Murray struggled to move the ball. He was sacked three times while going 15 of 29 for 168 yards. Many of those yards came on passes of 30 and 41 yards by Jordan Addison in the second quarter and the 41 yards accounted for the Vikings’ only offensive touchdown of the afternoon.
It didn’t help that wide receiver Justin Jefferson was lost for the day with an ankle injury in the first quarter, but relying on defense and special teams every week is a dangerous game to play. The special teams were successful with Myles Price’s touchdown on an 86-yard punt return and three Will Reichard field goals, including a 56-yarder after the Bucs were tied at one score in the fourth quarter.
The Vikings host the 0-3 Dolphins next weekend, so their chances of improving to 4-0 will look good even if there is no good news regarding Jefferson. The Buccaneers will host a pretty desperate Packers team in a Week 4 matchup that could make the hot seats even hotter for the losers.
Gn sports
