Vikings Get Starting Quarterback Back for Showdown With Winless Buccaneers

The Minnesota Vikings travel to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 4:05 p.m. ET. Minnesota enters the game 2-0 after a 9-3 win over Chicago, while Tampa Bay is 0-2 following a loss to Cleveland. The Vikings are 1.5-point favorites.

The biggest storyline heading into Week 3 is Minnesota’s quarterback situation. Starter J.J. McCarthy-listed here only by the name used in the source, Murray-has cleared the concussion protocol and reclaims the job from Carson Wentz, who guided the Vikings to their 2-0 start over the past two games while the offense posted 48 points, a plus-3 turnover margin and 113 rushing yards per game. In his season debut before the injury cut his day short, Murray still managed 18 rushing yards, underscoring the dual-threat element he brings that Wentz does not.

Minnesota’s defense has been the story of the season so far. The Vikings allow just 12.5 points per game and lead the league with 8 sacks, adding 25 quarterback hits and 2 interceptions. Tampa Bay’s offensive line has already surrendered 7 sacks, and the Buccaneers carry a minus-4 turnover margin heading into Sunday.

Tampa Bay’s defense, by contrast, ranks 24th in the league, allowing 28 points per game with only 3 sacks and 1 interception through two contests-a unit that has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks. Minnesota’s passing attack looked different in the wind and rain of the win over Chicago, where receiver Justin Jefferson caught just 3 of 6 targets for 55 yards after a two-touchdown season opener. The Vikings have 3 passing touchdowns through two weeks despite the rough Week 2 conditions.

For Tampa Bay, quarterback Baker Mayfield leads the team with 398 passing yards and 1 touchdown through two games. The Buccaneers have still managed 23 points per game despite the 0-2 start, but Mayfield’s decision-making will be tested against a defense built to force turnovers and pressure the pocket.

Running back Bucky Irving has been Tampa Bay’s most consistent weapon, carrying 17 times for 89 yards and adding 4 catches in the loss to Cleveland. The Buccaneers rank 11th in the league in rushing yards per game at 113 but just 23rd in passing yards per game at 184.5, making Irving’s workload central to keeping the offense out of difficult down-and-distance situations against a Minnesota defense that has been stout against the pass.