BucsGameday Staff Score Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers At Minnesota Vikings
It's finally time for a new era for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Following Tom Brady's retirement over the offseason, the Buccaneers will be starting a new quarterback for the first time in three years as former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield slides under center.
READ MORE: Former Buccaneers Quarterback Tom Brady Hints At Return To NFL
The team will begin its second year under head coach Todd Bowles on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, who are coming off a 13-4 campaign. The Vikings were ultimately upset in the Wild Card round by the New York Giants.
Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, the top wide receiver in the league, Justin Jefferson, and the highest-paid tight end in NFL History, T.J. Hockenson, are back on offense. However, the Vikings released Dalvin Cook over the offseason and will be relying on Alexander Mattison to step into a significant role.
Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Buccaneers and Vikings face off to kick off the 2023 season.
Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)
This is an exciting and curious time for Buccaneers' fans as there are so many questions for the team to answer entering the season. Finally, instead of just talking about it, we'll get to see what Tampa Bay plans to bring to the table this season against the Minnesota Vikings.
It won't be easy as quarterback Baker Mayfield and offensive coordinator Dave Canales will open up their tenures with the franchise on the road in a raucous environment. The Buccaneers have tried to adjust to the noise in practice but it will be at a different level on Sunday afternoon.
Tampa Bay is a younger and faster team than in years past. With that being said, I think it could take some time for both sides of the ball to gel and get into a rhythm. I'm going to roll with the Vikings in a close one to get the season underway. There will be some flashes from the Buccaneers of what to expect from this team throughout the year.
How Many Games Did Dustin Predict Correctly in 2022? 11-7
Vikings 21, Buccaneers 17
Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)
We’re finally here and it feels good to reach game week. It will be no easy task for the Buccaneers to go up to Minnesota in a hostile environment. Although I think there is a bright future for the Buccaneers’ offense under Dave Canales, I don’t think it’s going to be enough, at least in week one still trying to build chemistry with a new quarterback and an offensive line that has a question mark or two.
I think this game will be closer than the national media is thinking but I’ve got the Vikings and Kirk Cousins coming away with the win to begin the 2023 season.
How Many Games Did Logan Predict Correctly in 2022? 10-8
Vikings 27, Buccaneers 24
David Harrison (@DHarrison82)
There are a lot of unknowns on the Buccaneers' side of things while the Vikings are looking to prove last year was no fluke. Like the Jacksonville Jaguars one season ago I think this Tampa Bay squad will be much better at the end of the year than the start. Like Jacksonville though, I think they’ll lose their first game of the season.
How Many Games Did David Predict Correctly in 2022? 9-9
Vikings 28, Buccaneers 22
Collin Haalboom (@SI_Buccaneers)
The new-look Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though much younger than recent iterations, still have plenty of elite talent on the roster. That said, with the team's biggest question mark being at the quarterback position, they're a bit of a wildcard.
The Vikings on the other hand are a bit more predictable. And just like their quarterback, Kirk Cousins, the team is more than likely poised for a solid, yet unspectacular season.
I think the Buccaneers hang tough in this game but the home-field advantage for the Vikings proves to be the difference.
How Many Games Did Collin Predict Correctly in 2022? 13-5
Vikings 24, Buccaneers 21
Caleb Skinner (@chsnole)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have their work cut out for them to start the season as they head north to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The Bucs underwent a ton of changes this off-season and it’s finally time to see how all the pieces come together.
Even with the departure of RB Dalvin Cook, we know what the Vikings are and what they can be. I expect the Bucs to come out hot with something to prove, but ultimately drop one late on the road and fall to the more cohesive Vikings group.
How Many Games Did Caleb Predict Correctly in 2022? 10-8
Vikings 28, Buccaneers 21
JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL)
The Buccaneers open up the season on the road in one of the most hostile environments in the NFL. The Vikings finished last season with a 13-4 record, but have undergone changes on both sides of the ball. Most notably an overhaul on defense under new coordinator Brian Fores.
Minnesota will be relying on a lot of young pieces on that side of the ball in a complicated defensive system and the Bucs offense may be able to take advantage. Conversely, most of the changes Tampa Bay has made have come on the offensive side of the ball.
New offensive coordinator Dave Canales has the building buzzing with excitement over his modern scheme that puts its players in a position to make plays. The Bucs defense has gotten younger and faster and will have its hands full trying to slow down Justin Jefferson.
If Baker Mayfield and the offense get rolling early this could be a closer game than many anticipate. The Buccaneers have a chip on their shoulder after being all but counted out by the national media and will come out with something to prove. In a close game, the Bucs start the season off on the right foot securing a road win.
Buccaneers 23, Vikings 20
Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)
The Buccaneers will get their first chance to get a look at their offense, and, led by Baker Mayfield, struggles will be had. It will be an adjustment, and putting together complete drives will be an issue.
This isn’t the case for Justin Jefferson and the Vikings, as they’ve got a premier receiver in the league and a quarterback familiar with him. The Vikings will be able to jump on the Buccaneers early and take the game pretty handily.
Vikings 31, Buccaneers 14
Ben Meyerson (@ByBenMeyerson)
The Vikings won 13 games last year, in one-possession games they were 11-0. In football, you have to be lucky and good. This year it is highly unlikely that they will repeat that. They are still very good, with the best receiver in the NFL who is ascending and a quarterback who will give him opportunities.
The Bucs will look better than the National Media is expecting and impress. Minnesota has a weak secondary that Baker Mayfield and Dave Canales will be able to take advantage of and put up points. But dealing with Justin Jefferson will be too much for the Buccaneers defense.
Vikings 28, Buccaneers 23
CONSENSUS: Vikings (7-1)
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