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The Vikings defense has allowed one touchdown in the past 31 possessions by opponents, a run of dominance built on adversely affecting quarterbacks while also containing foes' rushing attacks.

The latest display was a 23-16 win in which Minnesota did allow a 40-yard touchdown pass but also limited Tampa Bay to 2-for-17 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth. Oh yeah, the Vikings also curtailed the Buccaneers to an 0-for-2 showing in the red zone. That included a possession that started at Minnesota's 22-yard line after a Kyler Murray pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by A'Shawn Robinson.

Isaiah Rodgers turned his Tampa homecoming into a hometown hero moment, intercepting a desperation heave by Jalon Daniels, a rookie who replaced Baker Mayfield due to the starter suffering a hand injury, to end the game. Andrew Van Ginkel had ended the Buccaneers previous possession with an interception, corralling the ball to end the play on which Mayfield was injured (his hand hit Blake Cashman's arm on the follow-through).

The two late takeaways helped Minnesota win the turnover battle 2:1 and improved the Vikings to 38-4 under Head Coach Kevin O'Connell when the team wins or is even in turnover margin. Minnesota has started 3-0 in two of the past three seasons.

I don't know if Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels has a ranking of his birthdays, but Sunday would be hard to beat. His unit flashed early with a brilliant, 86-yard punt return touchdown by Myles Price to "change the date" of Minnesota's most recent (it was the first by the Vikings in a 162-game span, dating back to Marcus Sherels' 79-yarder against Houston on Oct. 9, 2016, in the third regular-season game ever at U.S. Bank Stadium).

Johnny Hekker subbed in for rookie Brett Thorson because of a hamstring injury suffered in Week 2 and showed his veteran prowess, cleanly holding on field goals of 54, 56 and 43 yards by Will Reichard, who has netted 26 consecutive field goals.

Hekker also punted eight times for 372 yards, averaging 46.5 and logging a net average of 41.5.

The collective effort combined with some more tough running by Aaron Jones, Sr., and back-to-back long receptions by Jordan Addison, including a 41-yard touchdown, helped Minnesota offset Justin Jefferson leaving the game early because of an ankle injury. Jefferson tried working through the injury to return but ultimately did not.

Lastly, I'll quickly mention this is the 12^th anniversary of my employment starting with the Vikings (Sept. 28, 2014), when the Vikings hosted the Atlanta Falcons and prevailed 41-28 at the University of Minnesota. Teddy Bridgewater threw for 317, Matt Asiata scored three touchdowns, Jerick McKinnon rushed for 135, and Jarius Wright recorded 132 yards on eight catches. Harrison Smith and Josh Robinson recorded interceptions of Matt Ryan.

I'm grateful for the run I've been able to enjoy with the Vikings and am highly appreciative of the Vikings.com readership and the passion of Vikings fans. I was able to go for a run Sunday morning and passed dozens of people in Purple. I consider this "our anniversary." Thank you.

Let's get to some questions.

Late in the week, I expected a team that could score 24 points would win this game. On Tampa's final drive, they were a touchdown and 2-point conversion from reaching that number. It should not have been that close. The excuses for Minnesota's offense were plentiful. Kyler Murray rust, Justin Jefferson exiting early, questionable officiating, penalties and more. But once again, the other two phases, special teams and defense did enough to secure a third straight victory.

I will keep banging the drum for Will Reichard. He has been as reliable as a kicker can be. And we were due for a return TD. How many punt returners have the Vikings fielded since Marcus Sherels left? As for return coverage in this game, call it neither spectacular nor disastrous.

Defensively, Tampa Bay's running game was held to under 60 yards. Baker Mayfield seemed more frustrated than confident in Tampa's passing game. This is a defense that has allowed [three] touchdowns in three games. Outstanding.

Still, the time for a Vikings offense to carry the team is coming. The talent is there. A rhythm so far is not. And while no game is a gimme, a home game against the Dolphins should provide a platform for the offense to showcase something better than what fans have seen so far.

With the bye week in sight, how great would another two wins feel? Let's get the next one and see what can happen.

Skol!

— Jeff K. in Sacramento, California

It turns out 23 was aplenty thanks to the clamping by Minnesota's defense, which totaled six sacks, 12 QB hits and seven passes defensed.

Murray started well, going 6-for-10 with 112 yards in the first half. He opened the second half 2-for-11 for 7 yards before closing with a couple of key plays. There were a couple of nice throws — the 30-yarder and 41-yarder to Addison come to mind, as well as the 22-yard completion to Jefferson on Minnesota's first pass of the game. Ultimately, Murray finished 15-of-29 passing for 168 yards and a passer rating of 66.5.

A throw that won't appear on highlight shows this week was a laser from the right hash to the left sideline on second-and-9. The zipped pass to gained 10 to the Tampa Bay 44-yard line. A conversion by Jones on fourth-and-1 with a 3-yard run to the 32 put the ball within Reichard's range, and the possession lasted 5:52, allowing Minnesota's defense to catch its breath before the game's final 3:10.

I don't think Murray's limited time in the system nor Jefferson leaving the game early can be discounted. Nor can Minnesota's intent to run the ball making do the past two weeks without Jordan Mason since he and Jones are viewed as two starter-level players at the position.

Good question about punt returners.

2019: Mike Hughes, Chad Beebe, Sherels and Bisi Johnson returned punts.

2020: Beebe and K.J. Osborn

2021: Dede Westbrook and Osborn

2022: Jalen Reagor

2023: Brandon Powell

2024: Powell and Jalen Nailor

So, eight (not counting Sherels) players returned at least one punt before Price won the job in 2025.

The idea is to keep improving each week, focusing exclusively on the next challenge.

One of the most dissatisfying Vikings wins to me ever. The offense was weak and inconsistent for the most part. The defense was lights out all game. I will take the win, but we won the game because of the defense for sure. That does not bode well for the future? Below are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game:

UPS:

1. Price punt return for a TD. Very nicely done!

2. The Addison drive in the second quarter with a long pass followed by a TD to him.

3. Overall defensive play was outstanding. Especially the relentless pressure on Baker. The game-sealing interception was fun, too!

DOWNS:

1. More horrid kickoff coverage for the Vikings after our first possession FG, followed by more weak punt coverage. Our first punt was decent, but coverage allows the returner to run straight up the sideline for 16 yards. Our field position game was disappointing.

2. The Vikings offense was mostly weak and ineffective the whole game, with multiple and repetitive penalties and a wasted timeout and delay penalty to boot? Of course our first half offense also insisted on giving Baker a second bite at the apple for a late 2nd quarter score?

3. Our entire offensive game plan, overall performance and the play calls. So disappointing and just painful to watch.

I hope we can fix our offense and right quick? I hope Justin Jefferson is OK. Looking forward to the Fins already.

Respectfully,

— Jeff Ludwig

I think that's an accurate description to describe it as "the Addison drive" since his two catches accounted for 71 of 73 yards.

Mayfield is a swashbuckler. Rarely has a quarterback's style matched a team's nickname so well. He's tough to get a grasp on, but Minnesota's athleticism at inside linebacker with starters Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson, as well as meaningful reps by Ivan Pace, Jr., showed up in the attack plan.

Other teams make plays, too, especially in the return game.

I do believe the offensive line wishes it would have redefined the line of scrimmage a bit more for the Vikings, and I also believe Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles has a well-earned reputation for making days tough for offenses.

Well, an ugly win is still a win. Kudos to the defense for rising up yet again to seal off a win!  Great to see Kyle Van Noy's name called a few times. With 1.5 sacks, he clearly still has some gas in the tank! Offensively, I'd love to see Murray have a few run-pass options. Rolling out with a crossing wide receiver or a bootleg or two could be pretty effective for an athlete with his mobility. It will be interesting to see how K.O. adjusts his play calling to complement Murray's strengths. Big picture: Vikes are 3-0, despite the fact they have yet to come together for four straight quarters. It's going to be a fun ride this season!

— Mike D. in Twinsburg, Ohio

New General Manager Nolan Teasley has added to the emphasis Minnesota places on the role of the practice squad in helping a team navigate changing circumstances over the course of the season.

Van Noy has been elevated for each of the first three weeks of the season, which is the limit, but his physicality has definitely shown up, and he's a unique chess piece for Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores.

It's still early in the tenure for Murray and O'Connell working together.

I agree with Mike that this could be a fun ride, and I think we've all learned to expect Vikings game days to be packed with thrills.

Defense wins championships and games. Tampa Bay came to play. They did not want to go 0-3. We have not seen the best of Kyler Murray yet. 3-0 is a good place to be. We need to establish an offense that moves the chains and we can start talking playoff success. The season is young. We will improve.

— Gerald Goblirsch

Minnesota is one of five teams that has opened the 2026 season at 3-0, joining Buffalo, Kansas City, Las Vegas and San Francisco. Philadelphia has a chance to join that group tonight at Chicago.

The Bucs absolutely wanted to avoid 0-3, but the good news for them right now is every other NFC South team has opened 1-2, so Tampa Bay is only one game out.

Moving the chains might get a little tougher, depending on Jefferson's status, as well as that of tight end Josh Oliver, who is so important in the dual role of a great run blocker, as well as a sneaky threat in the passing game.

It's great to get the win!

But the only way we win is with another stellar performance by the defense.

It is VERY concerning that as soon as Jefferson went out, our offense could do almost nothing outside of two big plays to Addison.

What is going on with our other receivers?

What about consistency from Addison?

What about Jauan Jennings and Tai Felton and Price?

Where were the TEs?

Obviously Murray is short, so why not roll him out, change his launch spot?

What about some quick-hitting slants, some screens, some wide runs?

Kudos to Reichard…we lose this game without him. (He is my fantasy kicker on all my teams). Kudos to ST and Price…great punt return!

Kudos once again to our GREAT defense!!!

But come on offense!!! You need to do your part!!

— Barb Aud in McKinney, Texas

Addison led the way with five catches for 90 yards on five targets. Jones was next with five catches for 34 yards on six targets.

After that, Jefferson caught both of his targets for 32 yards.

T.J. Hockenson was targeted four times, but it seemed like he and Murray need to develop a little more chemistry. Hockenson finished with two catches for 11 yards. Jennings was targeted twice, resulting in a 1-yard reception, and Felton was targeted two times but did not record a reception.

Price did his damage in the third phase, totaling 238 return yards (106 on four punt returns; 132 on five kickoff returns).

At end of first quarter, I'm liking what I'm seeing, and loved Jalen Redmond getting his hand on the pass. That said, what happened next often surprises me in the NFL — great athleticism from Joshua Metellus and Blake Cashman, both getting to the ball. That should have been an easy pick in Bucs territory, but there was no communication between the backs as to who was going for it, and the ball ends up getting knocked out.

Other "oval ball sports" like rugby and Australian rules football are obviously different, but they still regularly practice similar situations and communication skills under high or loose balls to make sure they don't lose on potentially game-changing plays. Do we not practice this enough, or was it an error from the defense?

P.S. What a return from Myles Price!

— Tom in London, UK

The Vikings defense is quite aggressive and ball-hawking. Defensive players entered the game knowing the Bucs had struggled with turnovers to start the season, so they were probably particularly amped, but more communication may have prevented the unintended break up of what could have been an INT.

The defense does go through multiple drills, including reacting to tipped passes. Maybe next time. Appreciate everyone in the UK who stayed up for the later game.

Next week is also a 3:05 p.m. (CT) kickoff for Miami's first trip to U.S. Bank Stadium since 2018.

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