Buccaneers vs. Vikings Prediction, Pick, Odds: Tank Time for Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers?
Is it tank time for Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers? Jason Radowitz breaks down the Buccaneers vs. Vikings game on Sunday. He shares his Buccaneers vs. Vikings pick and odds.
Jason Radowitz - September 6, 2023, 1:11 PM EDT
5 minBuccaneers vs. Vikings Prediction, Pick, Odds: Tank Time for Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had their fun with Tom Brady running the offense. But when he retired, many of the other veterans on the team left as well.
Tampa Bay is now projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Buccaneers could also use a quarterback in next year's draft.
With a loaded class, including Caleb Williams, the Buccaneers might waive the flag early this year.
On the other hand, the Buccaneers will take on a Minnesota Vikings team that believes they can win the Super Bowl. The Vikings finished 13-4 last season but allowed more points than they scored. That's improbable but true.
Can Minnesota take advantage of Tampa Bay's weaknesses in Week 1?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Sunday's game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings.
Buccaneers vs. Vikings Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: September 10, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Buccaneers vs. Vikings Odds
- Spread: Buccaneers +6 (-110), Vikings +6 (-110)
- Total Odds: O/U 45.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Buccaneers (+210), Vikings (-260)
Buccaneers vs. Vikings Injury Report
Buccaneers
Questionable: WR Mike Evans (Groin), DL Calijah Kancey (Calf)
Out: WR Russell Gage (Knee), C Ryan Jensen (Knee)
Vikings
Out: RB Kene Nwangwu (Back)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction
The Vikings were so hard to figure out last season.
They went 13-4 but scored 424 points while allowing 427 last season. Minnesota went 8-1 at home and graded as one of the best teams analytically in the NFL.
The Vikings didn't have a weakness last year. If anything, maybe you can point fingers at the offensive line. But even the offensive line wasn't terrible in pass protection.
The Vikings were dominant against the run, tackled exceptionally well, and had a pass rush that did its job to help the secondary out.
Analytically, the Vikings deserved that 13-4 record. But they still lucked out in close games.
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings want to take the next step this season. Cousins led the team with 4,547 yards passing. He also threw 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Still, his QBR was 52.3, 23rd in the NFL last season.
The Vikings no longer have Dalvin Cook at running back. However, Alexander Mattison has the potential to replicate what Cook did over the years. Meanwhile, the passing game still has Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson. And now they added Jordan Addison from the NFL Draft, who is a much better receiving threat than Adam Thielen.
On the other hand, the Buccaneers are rolling with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. That's a significant change from Tom Brady just a year ago. The Buccaneers are so limited that Rachaad White's backup running back is a UDFA in Sean Tucker. Tucker's a terrific running back from Syracuse. But he beat out notable names like Chase Edmonds and Ke'Shawn Vaughn for that spot.
That's concerning for the Tampa Bay offense. Mike Evans isn't even healthy yet, while Russell Gage is out for the year with an injury. Therefore, the Buccaneers must rely heavily on Chris Godwin to start the season.
The run defense for the Buccaneers was lost at times last season. Only the coverage was good. However, once the Vikings get the run game going, it'll open up the passing game.
Give me the Vikings at -6.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings Pick
- Vikings -6 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
NFL Odds
