The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to kick the season off in Week 1, and their game will be against quite the formidable opponent.
The team is set to face off against the Minnesota Vikings on their home turf of U.S. Bank Stadium, and it’s sure to be a challenge. Minnesota went 13-4 last year, but like the Bucs, got bounced in the Wild Card round against an NFC East team in the New York Giants. While it’s unlikely the Vikings will do that again in 2023, they’ll still be a tough team to beat to open the year.
Here are four aspects of Minnesota that could cause some trouble for Tampa Bay on Sunday:
(Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
That’s it. That’s the concern.
Call him JJettas, the Sultan of Slot, whatever you’d like — Justin Jefferson is a problem. Almost a 2,000-yard wide receiver in 2022, Jefferson is arguably the best wideout in the National Football League. He can play anywhere on the field as a receiver and will prove to be one of Tampa Bay’s biggest concerns heading into Sunday. It will probably take all of Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean and Christian Izien to contain him when the Bucs kick the season off.
Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
It may feel superfluous to include this as a separate entry, but the Vikings may just be that strong.
On top of Jefferson, the Vikings can boast K.J. Osborn, rookie Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockinson, who just got a massive contract extension for his position. That makes up one of the best passing attacks in football, and the quarterback throwing to all these weapons is Kirk Cousins — someone we named a top-10 quarterback in the NFL earlier in the offseason.
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Vikings were easily one of the worst defensive units in the NFL last year. Enter Brian Flores.
Flores has been one of the NFL’s highest-regarded defensive minds, and now he takes on a Vikings defense that desperately needs improvement. A unit similar to last year’s should allow the Bucs to cook, but if it’s improved and ready to wreak some havoc in 2023, Tampa Bay could face some trouble.
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Obviously, playing away from home is always gonna be tough. But starting the season off in this new era away from home might be tougher.
This game is going to be a big benchmark for the Bucs, and playing that season opener at U.S. Bank Stadium in front of the Vikings’ passionate fanbase will be difficult. The Bucs won their season opener last year on the road in Dallas, but without Tom Brady and a roster made up of veterans, it’s a whole different ballgame now.
