Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 3 Game Guide (2026)

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-16 on September 27, using defense and special teams to offset a modest offensive showing. Minnesota outscored Tampa Bay 10-7 in the first quarter and 7-3 in the second, producing a 17-10 halftime advantage. The Vikings did not score in the third quarter while the Buccaneers added three points, but Minnesota’s six fourth-quarter points matched Tampa Bay’s final-quarter total of three with room to spare. The clearest statistical difference came on special teams. Myles Price returned four punts for 106 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown, while also gaining 132 yards on five kickoff returns. He averaged 26.5 yards per punt return and 26.4 per kickoff return. Will Reichard supplied 11 points by making all three field-goal attempts and both extra points, with a long field goal of 56 yards. Between Price’s return touchdown and Reichard’s kicking, Minnesota’s listed special-teams production accounted for 17 of its 23 points. Minnesota’s passing game produced enough complementary offense without controlling the game statistically. Kyler Murray completed 15 of 29 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown and one interception, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. He was sacked three times for 16 yards in losses and finished with a 66.5 passer rating. Those numbers show an uneven performance, but the Vikings still received an important downfield contribution from Jordan Addison, who caught five of nine targets for 90 yards and a touchdown. Addison averaged 18 yards per reception and had a long gain of 41 yards. The rest of the Minnesota receiving production was more measured. Aaron Jones Sr. caught five of six targets for 34 yards, while Justin Jefferson caught both of his targets for 32 yards, including a 22-yard reception. T.J. Hockenson added two catches for 11 yards. Jones also handled most of the documented rushing work, carrying 17 times for 58 yards with a long run of 14. His 3.4-yard average was not explosive, but his combined 92 yards from scrimmage gave Minnesota a steady source of production. Tampa Bay’s defense made the Vikings work for those offensive points. Alex Anzalone, David Walker and Anthony Nelson each recorded a sack, and Walker had two tackles for loss. A'Shawn Robinson recorded Tampa Bay’s interception. The Buccaneers therefore limited Murray’s efficiency and created a turnover, but those defensive successes did not overcome Minnesota’s return touchdown, flawless kicking and seven-point final margin. The Vikings’ defense created considerably more pressure on Tampa Bay’s passing game. Baker Mayfield completed 17 of 34 passes for 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but he took six sacks for 31 lost yards. Eric Wilson and Kyle Van Noy led Minnesota with 1.5 sacks apiece. Wilson also posted a team-high 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits, while Van Noy had three tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. Blake Cashman contributed eight tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, one pass defended and two quarterback hits. Minnesota also received half-sacks from Joshua Metellus, Ivan Pace Jr., Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel. Van Ginkel and Isaiah Rodgers each recorded an interception, matching the two interceptions thrown by Tampa Bay quarterbacks. The defensive front also kept Bucky Irving to 46 yards on 15 carries, a 3.1-yard average. Tampa Bay still found receiving production through Emeka Egbuka with five catches for 62 yards and Cade Otton with three for 56, while Ted Hurst III scored on his lone 40-yard reception. The box score supports three central takeaways for Minnesota. First, the return and kicking units supplied most of the scoring and gave the Vikings an advantage that did not depend on sustained passing production. Second, the defense repeatedly disrupted Tampa Bay with six sacks and two interceptions while limiting its primary listed rusher. Third, the offense has clear areas to improve after Murray completed barely more than half his passes, threw an interception and took three sacks. Even with those limitations, Minnesota combined contributions from all three phases and left Tampa Bay with a verified seven-point victory.

• Myles Price amassed 238 return yards and scored on an 86-yard punt return, accounting for Minnesota’s only listed non-offensive touchdown.
• Will Reichard made all three field-goal attempts, including one from 56 yards, and both extra points for a team-high 11 points.
• Minnesota recorded six sacks and two interceptions, with Eric Wilson and Kyle Van Noy contributing 1.5 sacks apiece.