Murray Returns as Vikings Visit Reeling Buccaneers
The Minnesota Vikings travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, September 27, 2026, with kickoff set for 4:05 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Minnesota enters at 2-0 following a 9-3 win over Chicago, while Tampa Bay is 0-2 after a loss to Cleveland. The Vikings are 1.5-point favorites.
Minnesota regains starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy - referred to in game notes as Murray - who has cleared the concussion protocol and reclaims the job from Carson Wentz. Wentz had guided the Vikings to a 2-0 start, with the team scoring 48 points combined, posting a plus-3 turnover margin and averaging 113 rushing yards per game over that span. Murray's season debut was cut short by injury after he had already contributed 18 rushing yards, underscoring the dual-threat dimension he brings that Wentz does not replicate. curling betting online
Minnesota's defense has been the driving force behind its start, allowing just 12.5 points per game while recording a league-high 8 sacks, 25 quarterback hits and 2 interceptions. Tampa Bay's offense, led by Baker Mayfield's 398 passing yards and one touchdown through two games, will have to contend with that pressure; the Buccaneers have already surrendered 7 sacks and carry a minus-4 turnover margin. Running back Rachaad White's replacement at lead back, Bucky Irving, has emerged as Tampa Bay's most consistent weapon, rushing 17 times for 89 yards and adding four receptions in the loss to Cleveland.
On the other side, Tampa Bay's defense ranks 24th in the league in scoring defense at 28 points allowed per game, with only 3 sacks and 1 interception through two weeks - a pass rush that has struggled to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. That could create opportunities for Justin Jefferson, who caught just 3 of 6 targets for 55 yards in difficult weather against Chicago after opening the season with a two-touchdown performance. Minnesota has totaled 3 passing touchdowns through two games. Tampa Bay, which averages 113 rushing yards and 184.5 passing yards per game, will look to lean on its ground game to limit possessions for a Vikings defense that has been difficult to move the ball against through the air.
