The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still searching for their first win of the 2026 season, and the path does not get any easier in Week 3.
Tampa Bay will host the undefeated Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium after dropping its first two games of the year to the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Minnesota comes into the matchup at 2-0 with a defense that has created problems early and quarterback Kyler Murray returning to the lineup.
To get a better look at what the Buccaneers will be dealing with this week, Bucs Wire spoke with Andrew Harbaugh of Vikings Wire. He broke down Minnesota’s defense, Murray’s return, what Brian Flores could throw at Baker Mayfield, and how he sees Sunday’s matchup playing out.
Q) The Vikings are 2-0,
but the first two games have looked pretty different from one another. Through two weeks, what has stood out to you the most about this team, and is there anything you’re still a little worried about heading into Tampa Bay?
A) This Vikings defense is ready to be the tone-setter for the whole year. Brian Flores has made it clear that he wants to be aggressive, and I think the Bucs should expect more of the same. Minnesota has enjoyed having one of the better pass rushes in the NFL, with young Dallas Turner playing like an All-Pro.
Q) Kyler Murray is expected to be back under center this week after missing Week 2. What does he bring to this Vikings offense, and how much different do you think they look with him back against the Bucs than they did last week against Chicago?
A) Compared to Carson Wentz, Kyler Murray likes to push the ball down the field a lot more. He also has a really strong connection with both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and I think Addison is poised to benefit the most from his return. This offense has really been the Jefferson show so far, but Addison could finally have a breakout performance this season.
Q) Brian Flores is never afraid to bring pressure, and that Vikings defense can make life pretty uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks. What do you think Tampa Bay is going to have the most trouble with when it comes to Minnesota’s defense?
A) I highlighted the pass rush, and it is something that should not be as effective against the Bucs’ offensive line. However, through two games, Tampa Bay has given up seven sacks against defenses that are not bringing much pressure. The Browns had success bringing just four defenders, so what happens when the Vikings bring five, six, or seven? That is where the chaos could come from in Week 3.
Q) When you look at this matchup overall, what is one matchup or area of the game you think could end up deciding it?
A) After seeing how Tampa Bay played against the Browns, a roster and team that I view as lower in the grand scheme of the NFL from both a roster and coaching standpoint, I think this has a chance to get really ugly for the Bucs in the first half. I do not see this being very close, and it could create a situation where Tampa Bay is forced to finally make a change at head coach, perhaps even during the season. I have the Vikings winning 27-10 in a game that could be uglier than the final score suggests.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs Week 3 preview: Behind enemy lines with Vikings Wire
