The Minnesota Vikings have gotten off to a surprising 2-0 after picking up two key divisional wins. They've done so with the league's last-ranked offense in total yards, becoming the first team to do so in two games since the 2015 Denver Broncos, who won the Super Bowl largely because of their strong defense.
Can they get an offensive spark against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday? Kyler Murray is returning to the starting lineup after missing last week's game against the Chicago Bears. He only took 11 snaps before suffering a concussion in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
Jauan Jennings is also returning to the lineup after missing practice last week and the game in Chicago because of a personal matter. He has yet to register
a catch as a Viking, but there could be opportunities on Sunday to change that.
Still, this team has placed a heavy emphasis on the running game since the end of last year. It feels like, as much as we want to see a high-flying passing attack emerge, this offense is trying to control the clock and keep games close so that the defense isn't put in bad positions.
3 Keys for the Vikings' offense against the Bucs in Week 3
Stay committed to the run game
The Buccaneers are allowing 3.0 yards per carry but rank 12th in EPA/rush allowed. The Vikings are tied for 18th in EPA/run, grinding through a 3.6 yards-per-carry average, although they improved from 3.1 YPC in Week 1 to 4.2 in Week 2.
Adding to the problem, Aaron Jones missed Wednesday's practice with a knee injury. Jordan Mason was placed on injured reserve last week after undergoing thumb surgery, so Minnesota's running back depth is already getting tested.
DeeJay Dallas (toe) was limited on Wednesday as well, meaning we may see rookie Demond Claiborne in an expanded role. The Vikings could also look to elevate Jerome Ford from the practice squad.
No matter who is carrying the ball, Minnesota needs to stay patient with what has become its offensive identity.
Get the other wideouts involved
Justin Jefferson has caught 11 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns through two games, but the rest of the Vikings' receivers have yet to make a notable impact. Jordan Addison has two catches for 21 yards and is the only other receiver to tally a reception for Minnesota this year.
Part of that is due to rainy conditions last week at Soldier Field, but those excuses won't apply this Sunday in Tampa. Addison also got open twice on third down in Week 1, but Carson Wentz threw two off-target passes that fell incomplete. Can Murray spread the wealth in full-game action?
Protect the interior of the line
If this Tampa Bay defense has a strength, it's the interior line. Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey form a formidable front. Vea is listed at 6-foot-4 and 347 pounds and is a two-time Pro Bowler. He has only a 53.7 PFF grade this season, but he can cause problems when he's on top of his game, generating a 77.0 pass-rush grade last year.
Kancey is tied for eighth-most pressures among interior defensive linemen with seven this year. He has a 76.7 PFF grade, third on the team. Both he and Vea could create a mismatch against Will Fries and Blake Brandel.
Fries has a 54.1 PFF grade through two games and a 40.9 pass-blocking grade, the worst among Vikings linemen. In fact, no other lineman has a pass-blocking grade lower than 69.8. PFF has credited Fries with one sack and five pressures allowed, including the one that contributed to Murray's poor interception in Week 1.
Donovan Jackson, however, has yet to allow a sack and has the highest pass-blocking grade among all linemen at 74.9. We will see how he fares against this Buccaneers duo. If he holds his own, the Vikings will have a chance to produce their best offensive performance of the season.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 3 Keys for the Vikings' offense against the Bucs in Week 3
