The Minnesota Vikings continued their strong start to the 2026 NFL season on Sunday, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-16 at Raymond James Stadium. Behind a dominant defensive performance and a huge special-teams play, Minnesota improved to 3-0 and handed Tampa Bay its third consecutive loss.
The Vikings found a way to win despite losing star wide receiver Justin Jefferson to an ankle injury in the first quarter. Minnesota’s defense stepped up when it mattered most, helping the team hold off a late push from the Buccaneers.
Special Teams Make the Difference
One of the biggest plays of the afternoon came from Minnesota’s special teams. Myles Price returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown, giving the Vikings a major boost and swinging momentum in their favor.
The explosive return proved to be a turning point in a game where points were difficult to come by. Minnesota’s defense continued to make life difficult for Tampa Bay, preventing the Buccaneers from finding a consistent rhythm on offense.
Kyler Murray Connects With Addison
Quarterback Kyler Murray also delivered a key moment, connecting with Jordan Addison on a 41-yard touchdown pass. The big play helped Minnesota build its lead and gave the Vikings another offensive spark.
Addison finished with 90 receiving yards and a touchdown, stepping up as Minnesota dealt with Jefferson’s early exit.
The Vikings did not need a high-scoring offensive performance to get the job done. Instead, they relied on timely plays, solid defense and special teams to control the game.
Buccaneers Fall to 0-3
Tampa Bay struggled to generate enough offense to complete the comeback. The Buccaneers kept the game within reach, but Minnesota made the crucial plays down the stretch to preserve the seven-point victory.
The loss was made more difficult by an injury to quarterback Baker Mayfield, who dislocated his right thumb late in the fourth quarter. Mayfield left the game and was replaced by rookie Jalon Daniels. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.
Minnesota Keeps Rolling
The Vikings’ 23-16 victory moves them to 3-0, keeping them among the NFL’s unbeaten teams. Minnesota has now shown it can win even when its offense faces challenges and key players leave the game with injuries.
The Vikings will look to carry that momentum into Week 4, while the Buccaneers will try to regroup after a difficult 0-3 start.
