Vikings vs Buccaneers predictions, graded
Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Week 3, 2026 · Sun, Sep 27 · Final: Vikings 23, Buccaneers 16 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Vikings vs Buccaneers? Of 12 pundits with a call on record, the room is split, 6 each. 8 named a score; the median has the Buccaneers by 1. The Vikings won 23-16, so 6 of 12 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 64 out of 100.
Who the room took
12 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callVikings vs Buccaneers picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- CBS SportsBuccaneers 3, Vikings 2
- FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast (podcast)all 2 Buccaneers
- Fox Sports Radio (podcast)Buccaneers 1, Vikings 1
The other 3 pundits write or talk elsewhere: all 3 Vikings.
Vikings vs Buccaneers score predictions
8 pundits named a score; the median call is Buccaneers by 1, and the final was Vikings by 7.
Each dot is one pundit’s latest score call, placed at the winning margin it named. The solid bar is how the game actually finished. Hover or tap a dot for the pundit and the score.
- Pat FitzmauriceBuccaneers 21, Vikings 20Miss · 36
- Derek BrownBuccaneers 21, Vikings 18Close · 40
- Chris SimmsVikings 28, Buccaneers 17Hit · 90
- Jared DubinVikings 23, Buccaneers 17Hit · 98
- Jordan DajaniBuccaneers 21, Vikings 20Miss · 36
- Tyler SullivanVikings 23, Buccaneers 21Hit · 88
- Pete PriscoBuccaneers 21, Vikings 20Miss · 36
- John BreechBuccaneers 19, Vikings 16Close · 40
Vikings at Buccaneers: how they came in
The Vikings are 2-0 and have won 2 straight; the Buccaneers are 0-2 and have lost 2 straight. On win totals, 17 pundits put the Vikings at 10 wins on average, and 10 pundits put the Buccaneers at 8.5 wins on average.
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida
- Record coming in
- 2-0 · won 2 straight · 48 scored, 25 allowed
- Last games
- W 9-3 at Bears Week 2
- W 39-22 vs Packers Week 1
- Unit ranks
- offense 29th, defense 1st of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 9-8
- Win-total calls
- 17 pundits · average 10 · 8 to 12 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 0 of 1 Vikings game
- Record coming in
- 0-2 · lost 2 straight · 46 scored, 56 allowed
- Last games
- L 19-23 vs Browns Week 2
- L 27-33 at Bengals Week 1
- Unit ranks
- offense 22nd, defense 6th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 8-9
- Win-total calls
- 11 pundits · average 8.5 · 2 to 17 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 1 of 2 Buccaneers games
Vikings and Buccaneers players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Vikings
- Carson WentzStarting QB · QB
357 passing yards · 3 TD, 2 INT · 48.4% completions · 3 games · 39th in the NFL in passing yards
Carson Wentz to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Meanwhile, Carson Wentz will back Murray up as J.J. McCarthy was relegated to the No. 3 role.” the article →
Carson Wentz to be 1st on the depth chart
“Paired with the matchup, Wentz would be a streaming option, and surely a popular DFS play this weekend.” the article →
- Aaron JonesRB1 · RB
474 rushing yards on 115 carries · 2 TD · 16 catches for 95 · 8 games · 17th in the NFL in rushing yards
“I think, well, this is definitely based on the assumption Aaron Jones plays... he was described as day to day. So which usually means to me that they're probably going to play. (Week 8)” the article →
Aaron Jones to be 1st on the depth chart
“With Jordan Mason out (thumb), Jones should be the clear lead back for the Vikings this week.” the article →
- Justin JeffersonWR1 · WR
31 catches for 393 yards · 4 TD · 7 games · 38th in the NFL in receiving yards
Justin Jefferson to fall short of his draft cost (the first round)
“And for all the reasons by Kyler Murray, I'm out on Justin Jefferson in the first round.” the article →
Justin Jefferson to finish top 1 at his position, by fantasy points
“Minnesota has our easiest passing schedule for 2026 as an added cherry in getting Jefferson back in the mix to compete as WR1 overall.” the article →
- T.J. HockensonTE1 · TE
35 catches for 328 yards · 3 TD · 8 games · 59th in the NFL in receiving yards
“But chances are he’ll be ready to go in Week 7 when the Vikings come out of their bye week.” the article →
T.J. Hockenson to record 2 receiving tds
“I wouldn't be shocked if he finds paydirt twice in this advantageous matchup.” the article →
- Andrew Van GinkelSack leader · LB
7.5 sacks · 13 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 4th in the NFL in sacks
- Blake CashmanTackle leader · LB
4.5 sacks · 39 solo tackles · 8 games · 10th in the NFL in solo tackles
Buccaneers
- Baker MayfieldStarting QB · QB
922 passing yards · 3 TD, 4 INT · 60.6% completions · 6 games · 32nd in the NFL in passing yards
“Mayfield would seemingly be good to go, based on Bowles' current timeline, for their game on Oct. 25 against the Carolina Panthers.” the article →
Baker Mayfield to outplay his draft cost (a QB2)
“Mayfield does not have elite rushing upside, but he is a standout pick as a QB2 when you pair everything together.” the article →
- Bucky IrvingRB1 · RB
825 rushing yards on 167 carries · 8 TD · 22 catches for 106 · 9 games · 4th in the NFL in rushing yards
Bucky Irving to be 1st on the depth chart
“A lot of people are convinced Irving will be a committee back this season. ... Irving still averaged 20.3 touches per game. That's workhorse usage by modern standards.” the article →
Bucky Irving to fall short of his draft cost (RB22, Overall RK57 | ECR vs. ADP: -13)
“Irving could be a nice bounce-back candidate in 2026 or a massive disappointment that loses work to Gainwell and Tucker all year. I'll buy the dip if he slips in some drafts, but I won't go out of my way to draft him this season.” the article →
- Emeka EgbukaWR1 · WR
31 catches for 278 yards · 2 TD · 7 games · 81st in the NFL in receiving yards
Emeka Egbuka to be 1st on the depth chart
“He's going to be the alpha receiver in Tampa” the article →
Emeka Egbuka to be 1st on the depth chart
“Egbuka can establish himself as the team's clear WR1 and return WR1/2 production.” the article →
- Cade OttonTE1 · TE
23 catches for 211 yards · 0 TD · 8 games · 118th in the NFL in receiving yards
- David WalkerSack leader · LB
4 sacks · 15 solo tackles · 8 games · 30th in the NFL in sacks
- Josiah TrotterTackle leader · LB
1 sack · 36 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 14th in the NFL in solo tackles
Every call on Vikings at Buccaneers
1–12 of 12
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat Minnesota
I'm going to take Tampa. They're at home. They have to figure some things out at some point... It being at home in the heat, I'm going to give it to them.
Minnesota Vikings to beat Tampa Bay
Well, I had picked Tampa Bay earlier in the week, but Carmen has convinced me that they're going to lose, so I'm now going with the Vikings.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21 — Vikings 18
I was going to go like 21, 18, and I'm also going to take the Buccaneers here.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21 — Vikings 20
So I'll take the wounded, desperate Buccaneers here, 21, 20, and I'll go with Bucky Irving as player of the game.
Minnesota Vikings 28 — Bucs 17
I'm going Vikings 28 to 17.
Minnesota Vikings to beat Tampa Bay Bucks
I'm taking the rare non emotional hedge, and I'm actually just picking the Vikings to win and cover outright.
Minnesota Vikings 23 — Buccaneers 17
Prediction: Vikings 23, Buccaneers 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21 — Vikings 20
Prediction: Buccaneers 21, Vikings 20
Minnesota Vikings to beat Tampa Bay Bucs
So I got the Vikings and Brian Flores making Baker Mayfield's life hell... I got the Vikings continuing on 3-0.
Minnesota Vikings 23 — Buccaneers 21
Vikings at Buccaneers Projected score : Vikings 23, Buccaneers 21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21 — Vikings 20
this one will be won by the Bucs defense. They finally step up. Pick: Bucs 21, Vikings 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19 — Vikings 16
PICK: Buccaneers 19-16 over Vikings