Minnesota Vikings @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
September 27, 2026 – 9:05 p.m. BST
Two more disparate performances you could not have asked for in the Vikings’ first two weeks of 2026, but what really matters is that they’re the only team in the NFC North with two wins after last Sunday’s 9–3 victory away to the Bears – only four times in team history have they won while scoring fewer points!
This Sunday they take on a Tampa Bay side who are yet to record a win this season, having thrown away a 10-point lead against the Cleveland Browns in week 2. On paper, the Vikings should win this one, but we all know football isn’t played on paper!
For all the latest team news ahead of Sunday’s game, as well as how to watch it in the UK and Ireland, read on…
How to watch Vikings vs. Buccaneers
- Vikings vs. Buccaneers date: Sunday, September 27th
- Vikings vs. Buccaneers kickoff time: 9:05 p.m. BST
- Vikings vs. Buccaneers channel: NFL Game Pass on DAZN (stream)
This game has not been selected to be shown on Sky Sports this weekend, which means it will be available to watch live and in full via NFL Game Pass on DAZN.
What uniforms are the Vikings wearing against the Buccaneers?
As the home team, the Buccaneers have first choice of uniforms for Sunday’s game. They’re expected to wear their primary home uniforms of red jerseys, white pants and black socks, which means the Vikings should wear their road uniforms of white jerseys, purple pants and white socks.
Ones to watch
In difficult conditions against the Bears, Aaron Jones carried the Vikings offense as much as he carried the ball. The 31-year-old rushed for 105 yards, his first 100-yard game since the overtime win at the Bears in 2024.
Although Kyler Murray is expected to be back under center against the Bucs, Jones will still have to shoulder a lot of the offensive burden while Jordan Mason recovers from thumb surgery. He missed practice on Wednesday with a knee injury, but gradually ramped up his involvement and enters Sunday’s game without an injury designation in what could be a valuable development for the Vikings.
On defense, it goes without saying that Dallas Turner will be an important factor on Sunday. The whole front seven has wowed the league so far this year – their 25 QB hits is the most by any team through two weeks of a season since the 2020 Steelers.
But Brian Flores’ defensive scheme, which has seen the Vikings blitz on four out of every five plays so far, requires effective secondary play, and the star against the Bears was Isaiah Rodgers. Although he only managed one pass deflection, he also recovered a fumble on the goal line and blocked a field goal, leading to him being named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Continued improvement among the secondary will be vital against an offense led by Baker Mayfield.
Previous meetings
Aside from their NFC North rivals, the Vikings have faced the Buccaneers more than any other team in the league, thanks to both teams’ time in the NFC Central from 1977 to 2001. Now they only play each other once every three years, and the Bucs have come out on top in the last two – once at home and once away. Nevertheless, the Vikings lead the overall series 33–24, although they’re level at 14–14 in games in Tampa.
The Vikings were the first to score in their last meeting in Tampa in 2020, thanks to a 1-yard run from Dalvin Cook, but Tom Brady led the Bucs to a 26–14 comeback win. The Vikings’ last victory on Florida’s Gulf Coast was back in 2014, when Blair Walsh knocked over a 38-yard field goal to take the game to overtime. Anthony Barr then forced a fumble on Austin Sefarian-Jenkins on the first play from scrimmage before returning it 27 yards for the game-winning score.
Vikings team news
The only Vikings officially ruled out of Sunday’s game are punter Brett Thorson, who hurt his hamstring against the Bears, and backup center Nick Samac, who missed Thursday and Friday with a knee injury. Thorson’s injury meant a return to the team for 15-year veteran Johnny Hekker, who lost out in the camp battle between the two.
More importantly, quarterback Kyler Murray is set to return from a concussion after a week out, while RB Aaron Jones was able to recover from a knee injury to enter Sunday with a clean bill of health. RT Brian O’Neill, DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and DL Jalen Redmond were all limited at some point during the week, but all three also have no injury designation for Sunday.
Buccaneers team news
For Tampa Bay, quarterback Baker Mayfield was a full participant in practice all week despite reporting an illness. Their only absences ahead of Sunday’s game are OLB Rueben Bain Jr. (groin) and ILB Josiah Trotter (shoulder).
Score predictions
- Darren: Vikings 17, Buccaneers 14
- TPJ: Vikings 20, Buccaneers 13
- Aaron: Vikings 24, Buccaneers 14
Let us know your score predictions. Send us an email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com or get in touch via any of our social media channels.