The Minnesota Vikings will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their season opener this Sunday from the U.S. Bank Stadium on CBS.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview
Tampa Bay went 13-4 last season, and finished first in the NFC North. The Vikings improved by four wins last season in Kevin O’Connell’s first year in charge, and they’ll look to capture another division crown here in 2023. Minnesota scored 24.9 points per game last season, while allowing 25.1 ppg.
Buccaneers Player Notes
• Baker Mayfield is set to start for Tampa Bay this season. The former number one overall pick spent time in Carolina and Los Angeles last year, and he’ll look to serve as more than a bridge for the Bucs this season. Mayfield passed for 2,173 yards with ten touchdowns to eight interceptions thru ten starts last season.
• Rachaad White will take the lead role in the backfield here in 2023 after a solid rookie season. White gained 481 yards on the ground, and he caught 50 passes for 290 receiving yards.
• Chris Godwin and Mike Evans returned outside, although the latter currently dealing with a groin injury and contract dissatisfaction.
Minnesota Vikings Preview
Minnesota went 13-4 last season, and finished first in the NFC North. The Vikings improved by four wins last season in Kevin O’Connell’s first year in charge, and they’ll look to capture another division crown here in 2023. Minnesota scored 24.9 points per game last season, while allowing 25.1 ppg.
Vikings Players Notes
• Kirk Cousins will return for his sixth season as the franchise quarterback, and he’ll attempt to take that next step here in 2023. Cousins has been one of the more reliable quarterbacks from a statistical standpoint for nearly a decade now, and year two with O’Connell should fare well. Cousins passed for 4,547 yards, with 29 touchdowns to 14 interceptions.
• Alexander Mattison is set to step into the lead role this season after the release of Dalvin Cook, but he may come into this one a bit banged up, with only Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin behind him on the depth chart.
• Justin Jefferson leads a solid wideout trio, and he’s coming off of one of the best wide receiver seasons ever, posting impressive splits of 128/1809/8.
• Former USC wideout Jordan Addison will make his debut alongside Jetta, and the duo has massive potential.
• T.J. Hockenson just signed a massive deal last week, and he figures to feature even more in the offense this year after coming over from Detroit at the deadline.
Corey’s Free Pick
Minnesota comes into a manageable spot here in Week 1 facing Tampa Bay in their first game without Tom Brady, and this should be a spot Kirk Cousins and company handle well. The Vikings enjoyed one of their best season’s in team history, and with Aaron Rodgers departing for the AFC, the division may be theirs for the taking again this season. Tampa may wind up surprising people this year, but their will be first-game mishaps with a new QB in place, especially with it being Baker Mayfield. Let’s back Minnesota at home for this Week 1 matchup, and take a look at the Under, as the both defenses remain in tact and should come to play.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
