Keys To Cannon Fire: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings
In this weekly article, we break down what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to do to secure a victory on game day.
The Buccaneers head to Minnesota on Sunday for their Week 1 tilt against the Vikings. Coming in as six-point underdogs, the Bucs face a team that won 14 games last season. After an 8-9 finish last season with Tom Brady, the national media has all but written off Tampa Bay this year.
Most pundits have chalked up the season opener as a loss for the Buccaneers. However, there is a path to victory for them this Sunday. It will take a full team effort but if they follow these keys, they'll head out of Minnesota with an upset win and a 1-0 record to start the season.
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Contain Justin Jefferson
Stop me if you've heard this before but the Bucs cannot let Justin Jefferson beat them. Cornerback Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean will need to play tight coverage on the All-Pro receiver and take away Kirk Cousins' favorite option in the passing game. Luckily the duo is known for doing just that.
Davis has locked down some of the premiere receivers in the league, including Jamar Chase last season. While Dean has quietly been one of the best corners in the league, especially in press-man coverage. If the duo can continue their trend of shutting down top-flight wide receivers, it will increase the Bucs' chance of coming out on top.
Control The Line Of Scrimmage
The Bucs will need to rule the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball to pull out the upset against the Vikings. On offense getting push in the run game will be critical as Tampa Bay tries to establish themselves as a run-first team. The new offensive scheme should make their job easier, but the right side of the line will be the ones to watch from an execution standpoint.
Luke Goedeke will have his hands full with pass rusher Danielle Hunter. Expect the Bucs to run a ton of twelve personnel (two tight ends) to help chip the explosive edge rusher.
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On defense getting to Kirk Cousins early and often will be key to disrupting the Vikings passing game. Cousins was sacked a career-high 46 times in 2022, but Minnesota boasts a pair of excellent book-end tackles in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neil. Containing Alexander Mattison and getting back to their identity of a dominant team against the run will go hand in hand with a dynamic pass rush with Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
Get Off To A Quick Start
If the Bucs want to win this game a slow start on offense isn't going to help their chances. With no tape out there of the Buccaneers new look offense, the Vikings' defense doesn't know what to expect. That's where Tampa Bay will need to take advantage. Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores will make adjustments to what he sees, so putting points on the board early will be key for the Buccaneers.
The Vikings don't have much of an answer for wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans so getting them involved early to move the ball downfield should be an emphasis. From there, running the ball will be important for the Bucs offense. Minnesota was one of the worst teams in the league stopping the run last season and lost their top inside linebacker Eric Kendricks. Jumping out to an early lead and leaning on the run game will help churn minutes off the clock and keep Hunter at bay.
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout Training Camp.
