NFL Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings

Our 2017 NFL Buccaneers play Vikings pick has this game either even or with Tampa Bay at -1.0. The over/under on the game sits at 40.0. Last week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) managed a 29-7 win over the Chicago Bears. That’s been the team’s only game due to problems created by the hurricane in Florida. The Minnesota Vikings (1-1) won their first game of the season, beating New Orleans 29-19 with Sam Bradford at the helm. Bradford was unable to play in the next game due to a knee injury. Minnesota lost that game 26-9. Bradford will not play against Tampa Bay today.

Tampa Bay Offense vs. Vikings D

The Bucs are averaging a healthy 29 PPG while Minnesota is holding teams to 22.5 PPG. QB Jameis Winston (60.0 COMP%, 1 TD, 0 INTs) has played well, connecting seven times with Mike Evans and three times with DeSean Jackson, as both players are averaging 13 yards per catch. The Tampa Bay running game has been adequate, with Jacquizz Rodgers averaging 3.5 YPA and Peyton Barber 4.7 YPA.

Overall, the Minnesota defense has underperformed. One major exception is DE Everson Griffen who has 10 tackles and three sacks. The Viking defense has not created much mayhem for opponents thus far. They’ve allowed 22.5 PPG and have been fairly average against the pass. Their rush defense has been good. The squad is healthy but needs to make some things happen today especially with QB Bradford out.

Minnesota Offense vs. Buccaneers D

The Vikings may be in a quandary with Bradford out. There are, however, a few things are working in their favor. The first is that there are four players injured on the Buc defense, including two defensive ends and a corner. The other thing that may help them is the fact that the Tampa Bay pass defense is allowing opponents 301.0 YPG. Rookie running back Dalvin Cook (34 ATT, 191 YDs, 5.6 YPA) should see the ball a lot today especially at the start of the game. He’s going to test the depleted Buc frontline. Case Keenum will likely play quarterback. In his first game, he hit 54.4 percent of his passes and had no touchdown throws and no interceptions. He was sacked once. Look for Stefon Diggs, who already has two TD receptions, to try to make something happen.

In their first game, the Bucs gave up just seven points and they held Chicago to 20 yards on the ground. But that was Chicago and not Minnesota, which has a sound running game. This Tampa Bay defense played well in their initial game. They forced three fumbles, recovering two, grabbed two picks, and had five PD and six TFL. On the frontline, Gerald McCoy, who has three tackles and two TFL in his first game, is out. If LB Kendall Beckwith (5 TCKLs, 2 TFL, 1 PD) and CB Ryan Smith (4 TCKLs, 2 FF) can have solid games, that will help the Tampa Bay cause today.

2017 NFL Buccaneers Play Vikings Pick

We see the Buccaneers at even money as a good bet. They will have to contain Cook, but we think that they can do the job. Our 2017 NFL Buccaneers play Vikings pick is Tampa Bay at even money.

2017 NFL Buccaneers Play Vikings Pick: Tampa Bay even