Buccaneers Week 3 Top Performers vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened Week 3 of the 2026 season with a 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, their first 0-3 start since 2014. The offense struggled throughout, setting a franchise-worst mark on third downs by converting just 2 of 17 attempts. Baker Mayfield and the unit managed only 243 total yards while allowing six sacks, ranking among the bottom five in offensive EPA so far. Tampa’s defense played relatively well and limited the Vikings, but turnovers and the short fields they created left the unit little room to change the outcome. Special teams provided the decisive moment with an 86-yard punt-return touchdown, Minnesota’s first such score in 10 years. The recap points to the odds of making the playoffs after starting 0-3 and looks ahead to a matchup with Green Bay.