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The Minnesota Vikings (2-0) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) will square off in Week 3 of the NFL season this afternoon. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. ET from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The game will broadcast live on FOX.
The Vikings are 1.5-point favorites over the Buccaneers on the spread, with the over/under set at 42.5 total points. Minnesota is a -124 moneyline favorite to win outright, while Tampa Bay is listed as a +106 underdog to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Vikings vs Buccaneers predictions for Week 3.
Vikings vs Buccaneers Prediction
- Vikings vs Buccaneers pick: Buccaneers +1.5 (-110)
My Vikings vs. Buccaneers best bet is Tampa Bay to cover the spread (+1.5), with the best price currently available at FanDuel. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
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Vikings vs Buccaneers Odds
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 42.5 -115o / -105u | -124 |
| Buccaneers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 42.5 -115o / -105u | +106 |
Vikings vs Buccaneers NFL Week 3 Preview
Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview: The Luckiest Team in the NFL
The Vikings are sitting at 2-0, but they have been the luckiest team in the league, according to our NFL Luck Rankings. They were heavily outgained by the Packers in Week 1 and only won due to a failed QB sneak and a slew of Green Bay penalties.
Last week, the Vikings survived a goal-line fumble by the Bears and a blocked field goal. Now, they will be making another change at quarterback.
Carson Wentz heads back to the bench with Kyler Murray returning to the lineup, and I don't expect it to be a seamless adjustment.
The Vikings offense thrived last week by going under center with heavy play-action — that is the exact opposite of Murray's game.
To make matters worse, Murray has historically struggled against the blitz, and Todd Bowles is going to bring relentless pressure.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview: The Unluckiest Team in the NFL
If the Vikings are the luckiest team in football, the Buccaneers have been one of the unluckiest as a team that could easily be undefeated right now.
The Buccaneers lost to Cincinnati because of a -22 EPA swing stemming purely from fluky fumbles, including one at the goal line.
Last week, the Bucs didn't play well, but they were totally derailed by a lengthy lightning delay right before the two-minute warning that abruptly halted their offensive rhythm.
While Baker Mayfield hasn't played great, he is in a prime bounce-back spot. He is historically far more efficient against zone coverage than man coverage, especially without Mike Evans to win 1-on-1 matchups.
Brian Flores’ Vikings defense plays almost entirely zone coverage, meaning Mayfield will have clean windows to operate downfield.
Vikings vs Buccaneers Prediction, Betting Analysis
I am backing the Buccaneers to cover the spread today in an ultimate buy-low, sell-high spot.
Teams that start 0-2 against the spread (ATS) taking on an opponent that has already secured a win or cover are an incredible 28-14 ATS since 2015.
Todd Bowles is coaching for his job right now to avoid the NFL record for consecutive ATS losses (currently tied at 11).
Bowles will dial up heavy pressure to rattle the returning Kyler Murray, and Baker Mayfield shouldn't have too much trouble against a soft Minnesota zone in the Florida humidity.
Pick: Buccaneers +1.5 (-110)
