Vikings vs. Buccaneers NFL Week 3 Betting Odds, Picks: Kyler Murray Returning for Minnesota
Week 3 of the 2026-27 season kicks off with Thursday Night Football between the Falcons and Packers, but there are plenty of great games this weekend, one of which features the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Vikings are 2-0 despite barely having their new starting quarterback on the field. After storming back to beat the Green Bay Packers 39-22 in Week 1, Minnesota ground out a 9-3 win over the Chicago Bears in a rain-soaked game at Soldier Field. Carson Wentz has kept the ship steady since Kyler Murray suffered a concussion 11 snaps into the opener, but Murray has cleared the protocol and will make his return in Tampa.
On the flip side, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 0-2 and staring at their first 0-3 start since 2014. Four lost fumbles sank them in Cincinnati, a blown 10-point lead against Baker Mayfield’s old team in Cleveland followed, and Todd Bowles’ group needs to clean things up fast against one of the league’s nastiest defences.
Vikings vs. Buccaneers Kickoff, Weather, TV, Streaming Info
Here’s all the important information you need for Sunday’s Week 3 game between Minnesota and Tampa Bay:
- Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
- Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
- Weather: Partly cloudy with a high near 85°F, a low of 66°F, and just a 10 per cent chance of rain.
- TV: FOX (Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Megan Olivi on the call)
- Streaming: NFL+ and FOX One, plus any live-TV service carrying your local FOX affiliate
NFL Betting Odds, Point Spread, Trends
This line has flipped since it opened. Tampa Bay was a 1.5-point favourite on the early number, but with Murray cleared and the Bucs sitting at 0-2, Minnesota is now a 1.5-point road favourite (-105), one of the smallest spreads on the Week 3 slate. The Vikings carry a -125 moneyline price, while Tampa Bay sits at +105 as the home underdog. The Over/Under is 42.5, with the Over priced at -110 and the Under at -110.
Tampa Bay has been a disaster against the number. The Buccaneers are 0-10 ATS in their last 10 games, a skid dating back to November 2025, and their five turnovers this season are tied for the second-most in the NFL. Minnesota, meanwhile, has won seven straight games and is 2-0 ATS this season, including an outright win as a 4.5-point underdog in Chicago. The Vikings are 14-1 straight up as road favourites under Kevin O’Connell, and the Under has cashed in eight of their last 10 games.
NFL Player Odds and Props
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving has been the lone bright spot in Tampa Bay’s offence. The running back has 183 yards from scrimmage through two games at 5.4 yards per carry. His rushing Over/Under sits at 58.5 yards (-115), and his +130 odds to find the end zone are tempting.
Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson has 11 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns, but he was held to three grabs for 55 yards in the Chicago rain. With Murray back under centre, I’m eyeing his Over/Under of 68.5 receiving yards.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota hasn’t needed a star turn at quarterback. After Murray went down in his Vikings debut, Wentz went 23-of-39 for 276 yards and three TDs with no interceptions across two games. Minnesota has now won five in a row with five different QBs.
The defence has been the story. Minnesota is allowing just 12.5 points per game, its eight sacks are tied for the league lead, and it has forced four takeaways. Dallas Turner already has three sacks. The one blemish is a pass defence that gave up 387 passing yards to Green Bay in Week 1.
The biggest concern is the backfield. Jordan Mason is on injured reserve after thumb surgery, and Aaron Jones (knee) missed Wednesday’s practice after carrying 23 times for 105 yards in Chicago. If Jones can’t go, DeeJay Dallas and rookie Demond Claiborne would handle the load.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have lost two one-score games, and they’ve beaten themselves in both. Mayfield has completed 44 of 62 passes for 398 yards, one TD and one INT, but he’s been sacked seven times and missed an open Emeka Egbuka in the end zone on a late fourth-and-11 against Cleveland.
The defence could also be shorthanded. Josiah Trotter (shoulder) and OLBs Rueben Bain Jr. (groin) and Anthony Nelson (shin) didn’t practice Wednesday, while Mayfield was a full participant despite an illness.
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