The Vikings defense and special teams continued their torrid start to 2026 in Sunday's 23-16 victory at Tampa Bay, providing Minnesota's offense more time to establish its sea legs.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Vikings totaled only 230 yards as a group, went 2-for-15 on third down, and didn't take an offensive snap in the red zone. Those specific numbers put Minnesota in some unique history:

– Minnesota has recorded fewer than 250 yards of total offense in each game this season, joining the 1969 Vikings and the 1999 Buccaneers as the only teams in the Super Bowl era to win three consecutive games with fewer than 250 yards of offense in each contest, per NFL Media Research.

– The Vikings third-down conversion rate on Sunday (coupled with a 2-for-17 showing by the Buccaneers) marks just the third time in NFL history where both teams attempted at least 15 third downs and converted two or fewer, per Stathead. The previous two instances were between the Giants and Jets in 2023 and the Raiders and Chiefs in 2009.

– According to ESPN Research, Sunday was the first time Minnesota didn't take an offensive snap in the red zone and still earn a victory since 2007 against Chicago.

While Minnesota's offense struggled to find a rhythm, especially without star receiver Justin Jefferson, the defense continued to heat up in the Florida sun. The Vikings had a season-high six sacks against the Bucs, improving their league-leading total to 14. Minnesota has gone six consecutive games registering four or more sacks, tying the 2001 New York Giants (Weeks 3-8) for the longest streak of such games. The Vikings have also recorded at least 2.0 sacks in nine straight games dating back to Week 13 of last season (the longest active streak in the NFL) and at least one sack in 31 consecutive contests dating back to 2024 (including the postseason). It is the team's longest streak in franchise history.

Add in an 86-yard punt return by Myles Price (tied for the third-longest return in franchise history and the first punt return for a score since Marcus Sherels in Week 5 of the 2016 season), and the Vikings are one of five remaining teams with a perfect record — joining Kansas City, San Francisco, Buffalo and Las Vegas.

Minnesota is 3-0 for the second time in three seasons and the 11th time in team history, joining the 1973-75, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2016 and 2024 squads. Sunday's win also caused some slight movement in this week's power rankings, with the biggest jump being six spots.

Here's a look at where the Vikings landed heading into Week 4:

No. 9 (up 6 spots): Nick Shook – NFL.com

I know the Vikings offense is completely unreliable. I also know Minnesota's defense is special and the reason these Vikes are 3-0. That's enough for me to move them into the top 10 for the first time this season.

No. 6 (up 5 spots): Brent Sobleski – Bleacher Report

The Minnesota Vikings understand the exact blueprint for them to be successful, even if it's not pretty. Brian Flores is going to bring more pressure than any other defensive play-caller and dictate games. The approach is simple yet effective.

Kyler Murray's return to the lineup didn't exactly jumpstart Minnesota's offense. The Vikings 230 yards were fewer than the team managed during the previous two weeks with Carson Wentz at the helm.

Maybe Murray shows more once he gets comfortable in Kevin O'Connell's offense. As for now, Minnesota will blitz, blitz and blitz some more to ensure they're in a position to win every game possible.

No. 4 (up 2 spots): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

If only [the Vikings] had a better offense, they might just be considered the best team in football. Brian Flores and the defense have led them to a 3-0 record.

No. 7 (up 2 spots): Nate Davis – USA Today

Per Next Gen Stats, [the Vikings] -0.22 EPA per play leads the league (trust us, that's good) as does a 46.7% QB pressure rate and 14 sacks. If QB Kyler Murray settles in without trying to do too much − good job on that front Sunday in Tampa − this team should be really dangerous.

No. 7 (up 3 spots): Josh Kendall and Chad Graff – The Athletic

The Vikings are undefeated with the combination of Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz at quarterback, but it's not because of the offense. The Vikings are next-to-last in the NFL in yards per game (238.3), and the QBs' combined EPA per dropback is 26th (minus-0.13). Murray returned from a concussion Sunday and went 15-of-29 passing for 168 yards, one touchdown and one interception as Justin Jefferson was lost to an ankle injury.

No. 11 (down 3 spots): Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated

The Vikings hover in this territory, dropping just a tad to reflect the disappointing debut of Kyler Murray. That said, if he ascends even to his career average and the defense and special teams hold serve, this team is going to be postseason-bound and dangerous.

No. 5 (up 3 spots): Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News

The Vikings are getting it done well with defense and getting just enough offense, but there's real concern for the latter with Jordan Mason out and Justin Jefferson hurting now, too. They can stay hot, however, under Kevin O'Connell with the Dolphins and Saints next.

No. 9 (up 1 spot): Frank Schwab – Yahoo! Sports

The Vikings offense was bad on Sunday. Starting with the team's second drive of the game, Minnesota had a 10-possession stretch in which it had eight punts, one interception and one touchdown. Kyler Murray was in his first full game in a new system, and he played most of the game without superstar Justin Jefferson after Jefferson left with an ankle injury. Murray had just 168 yards on 29 attempts and had the worst success rate of any quarterback through Sunday's games in Week 3. He was at 21.6%, and the second-worst mark was 28.3%.

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