It’s All About the W’s—Vikes Batter Baker’s Bucs

Vikings Territory Breakdown

To paraphrase the great Bette Davis in “All About Eve:” ‘Fasten your seatbelts, [Vikes fans], it’s going to be a bumpy [season].’ The Vikings beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-17 in, perhaps, their worst winning performance of the season (which is saying something). After two uneven games thus far in 2026, we thought it couldn’t get any more “bumpy,” but it did. The Special Teams outscored the offense on Sunday, and, for the third time this season, “it’s all about the defense.”

It must be said (yet again): a win is a win is a win. But the offense, which scored only one touchdown, amassed just 230 yards and never had a down in the red zone the entire game, things must improve. Certainly, it was Kyler Murray’s first full game in his new offense; certainly, losing Justin Jefferson to an ankle injury in the first quarter alters the game plan; and, certainly, the Bucs are a good defensive team despite their 0-3 record. But just as there is “no crying in baseball,” there are no excuses in the NFL. Murray looked uncomfortable often and rusty overall. That has to change soon if they want to extend their win streak and stay atop the NFC North.

The defense is waiting. They played another great game, winning the turnover battle, sacking Baker Mayfield six times and giving up their first TD since the first half of the Packers game. Brian Flores’ unit sent all kinds of blitzing mayhem towards Mayfield, and despite his best efforts, Baker couldn’t beat an opponent whose offense continues to struggle. The defense is playing lights out and is No. 2 in the league in scoring, surrendering an average of just 13.7 points per game. Add in Will Reichard’s continual excellence (kicks of 43, 54 and 56) and you have a recipe for success so far.

But it is not sustainable, and the team and its head coach all know it. As does everyone in Purple Nation watching this team, which includes the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com. We will also be talking about the trade of J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants (J.J., we hardly knew ye.) Tune in and check it out. Skol!