Buccaneers vs. Vikings Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
The Buccaneers return to action after making a number of offseason personnel moves in the wake of Brady’s retirement, and will be hoping to rebound from a disappointing 8-9 campaign that ended with a swift departure from the playoffs with a one-sided 31-14 loss to Dallas on Wild Card Weekend. The Vikings return to action as defending NFC North champions after compiling an impressive 13-4 record, including a sturdy 8-1 road record, but saw 10 of their overall come by just a single possession.
The Vikings have faded to 5.5-point home favourites since opening as 6.5-point chalk, while the total remains unchanged since opening at 45.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at US Bank Stadium marks the first meeting between these NFC rivals since 2020, and the Bucs’ first visit to Minnesota since 2017. Minnesota has claimed victory in two of their past three dates with the Buccaneers, snapping a six-game straight up and against the spread slide in head-to-head action, but fell well short in a 26-14 defeat when they visited Tampa Bay three years ago. Recent clashes between these teams have tended towards low scoring, with the total topping 44 just twice during a 4-3 run for the UNDER in totals betting.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Tom Brady finally following through on his plans to retire, the Buccaneers were forced to scramble to fill the massive void left under centre by his departure. And instead of giving the nod to youngster Kyle Trask who saw very limited action in his rookie season last year, the squad turned some heads by turning the keys to the offence over to the enigmatic Baker Mayfield.
The former first overall pick produced middling results in 12 games with Carolina and the LA Rams last season, tossing for 2163 yards and just 10 TDs against eight picks, but completed all but one pass attempt while compiling 106 passing yards and two scores in a pair of August appearances. While Mayfield will enjoy having veteran receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin as targets, the Bucs will have to make do without receiver Russell Gage and centre Ryan Jensen, both of whom are sidelined by knee injuries. And with the team parting ways with Leonard Fournette, look for second-year rusher Rachaad White to take on a big role in the backfield.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings finished last season second only to Philadelphia in the NFC conference standings, but never earned the respect that typically comes with a 13-4 record. The naysayers saw their case strengthened by Minnesota’s stunning 31-24 playoff loss to the dark horse New York Giants, which provided the spark for some bold offseason moves.
Gone are veteran receiver Adam Thielen and rusher Dalvin Cook. That opens the door for Alexander Mattison to taking on a leading role in the backfield while prized rookie receiver Jordan Addison is expected to be given every opportunity to earn a steady job after receiving high praise from quarterback Kirk Cousins. Expected to once again be the key to Minnesota’s success, Cousins emerged as one of the NFL’s most consistent passers during last year’s regular season, racking up 29 touchdown passes while finding the end zone in all but one appearance. The question is whether Cousins can avoid the brain cramps that helped produced multiple interceptions in four appearances last season.
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