Tom Brady is 14-4 off a bye in his career and the Bucs have taken, and covered in seven of their last 10 against Minnesota.
If you love watching either an elite rushing offence or a run-stopping defence, Sunday’s Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup is for you. The Vikings roll into Tampa with Dalvin Cook, the NFL’s rushing touchdowns leader (13) and rushing yards runner-up (1,250). On the other side is Todd Bowles’ defensive front, which leads the NFL in both rushing yards against per game (74.2) and rushing yards against per carry (3.3).
If Tampa is up to the task, the pressure is on Kirk Cousins as his 6-6 Vikings fight for a spot in the NFL playoffs. The 7-5 Bucs better bring their A game too, as they risk dropping three straight.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
If you blinked and missed it, the Vikings can pass Tampa Bay in the NFC standings with a win Sunday. Tampa Bay’s coming off their bye three games behind New Orleans in the NFC South and with some extra competition in the wild-card hunt.
Luckily for Tampa Bay, Tom Brady is 14-4 off a bye in his career and the Bucs have taken, and covered in seven of their last 10 against Minnesota. The Vikings are listed as 6.5-point underdogs this week, which is whopping given they’re 4-1 ATS on the road in 2020. There’s a considerable trend behind road underdogs too: 70-51 ATS this season.
Minnesota Vikings
It’s Cook who leads this offence, but the Vikings as a whole have been clicking. Along with the league’s sixth best rushing offence, Minnesota sits fourth in yards per game and third in offensive red zone percentage. Adam Thielen’s 12 touchdowns certainly help their scoring percentage, then it’s rookie Justin Jefferson’s 1,039 receiving yards that lifts the total yardage.
With Sunday’s tilt essentially a must-win for Minnesota, it would be a big loss if linebacker Eric Kendricks and his 107 tackles couldn’t suit up, as well as tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. — all three missed Wednesday’s practice.
The Vikings are 1-4 against teams with winning records, and the Bucs will be their sixth test.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The last time Brady and the Bucs hit the field, they felt the wrath of Kansas City in a misleading 27-24 loss. Home field hasn’t been too kind to the Bucs in 2020. They’re 3-3 at Raymond James Stadium to date, albeit losses to the Saints, Rams, and Chiefs.
The Bucs rank sixth in points for and 10th in passing yards per game, but there’s still more desired with a club fielding Brady, Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, Chris Godwin, and so on. Godwin’s status is one to watch as he had pins removed from a broken finger earlier this week, but the Bucs’ receptions leader should be good to go come Sunday.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Vikings vs. Buccaneers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 7 Dec 2:02am | MIN | -6.5 -110 | O +52.5 -110 |
Closing 13 Dec 2:26pm | MIN | -7.5 +103 | O +52.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Vikings Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
17 |
Rushing |
1557 |
Passing |
4265 |
Receiving |
88 |
Sacks |
3.5 |
Interceptions |
5 |
Touchdowns |
13 |
Rushing |
978 |
Passing |
4633 |
Receiving |
70 |
Sacks |
9.5 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
4 |
Rushing |
300 |
Passing |
1061 |
Receiving |
18 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
3 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Buccaneers Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
17 |
Rushing |
1557 |
Passing |
4265 |
Receiving |
88 |
Sacks |
3.5 |
Interceptions |
5 |
Touchdowns |
13 |
Rushing |
978 |
Passing |
4633 |
Receiving |
70 |
Sacks |
9.5 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
4 |
Rushing |
300 |
Passing |
1061 |
Receiving |
18 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Weather

temp | 78 |
condition | cloudy |
wind | South 5mph |
Injuries
Brett Jones (C)
Dan Bailey (K)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE)
Riley Reiff (T)
Cameron Dantzler (CB)
C.J. Ham (FB)
Jalyn Holmes (DE)
Jaleel Johnson (DT)
Hercules Mata'afa (DT)
Alexander Mattison (RB)
Cameron Brate (TE)
Lavonte David (LB)
Mike Evans (WR)
Vita Vea (DL)
Jordan Whitehead (S)
Antoine Winfield Jr. (S)
Mike Evans (WR)
Chris Godwin (WR)
Ronald Jones II (RB)
Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brett Jones (C) | Out Sun | Groin - 01 / 01 / 21 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Jones is hampered by a groin injury, and it will keep him off the field Sunday versus the Lions. |
|||||
Dan Bailey (K) | Ques Sun | Back - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Bailey is managing a back injury, and it is unknown if he will partake in Sunday's clash with the Lions. |
|||||
Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE) | Out Sun | Chest - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Odenigbo has a chest injury, and he will not participate in Sunday's showdown against the Dolphins. |
|||||
Riley Reiff (T) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Reiff has been entered on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and will be out for an unknown length of time. |
|||||
Cameron Dantzler (CB) | Out Sun | Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Dantzler is hampered by a hamstring injury, and he will not face the Lions on Sunday. |
|||||
C.J. Ham (FB) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Ham is hindered by a quad injury, leaving his status against the Lions on Sunday clouded. |
|||||
Jalyn Holmes (DE) | Out Sun | Groin - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Holmes is bothered by a groin injury, and he will not take on the Lions on Sunday. |
|||||
Jaleel Johnson (DT) | Ques Jan 3 | Knee - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Johnson is hobbled by a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will take the field against the Lions on January 3rd. |
|||||
Hercules Mata'afa (DT) | Ques Fri | Back - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Mata'afa is hampered by a back injury, and has yet to be determined if he will participate in Friday's clash with the Saints. |
|||||
Alexander Mattison (RB) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Mattison is battling a concussion, but it is likely that he will be available for Sunday's matchup with the Lions. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cameron Brate (TE) | Prob Sun | Back - 05 / 02 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Brate is dealing with a back injury, but he is likely to suit up against the Chiefs in the 2021 Super Bowl. |
|||||
Lavonte David (LB) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 28 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
David is tending to a hamstring injury, but it is likely that he will take the field against the Chiefs in the 2021 Super Bowl. |
|||||
Mike Evans (WR) | Prob Sun | Knee - 28 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Evans is hampered by a knee injury, but he is expected to line up for the 2021 Super Bowl against the Chiefs. |
|||||
Vita Vea (DL) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 28 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Vea is bothered by an ankle injury, leaving his availability against the Chiefs in the 2021 Super Bowl hazy. |
|||||
Jordan Whitehead (S) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 28 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Whitehead is managing shoulder and knee injuries, but he is expected to dress for the 2021 Super Bowl against the Chiefs. |
|||||
Antoine Winfield Jr. (S) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 22 / 01 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Winfield Jr. is hobbled by an ankle injury, but it is projected that he will dress for the 2021 Super Bowl against the Chiefs. |
|||||
Mike Evans (WR) | Prob Sun | Knee - 20 / 01 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Evans is bothered by a knee injury, but he is likely to line up against the Packers in the NFC Championship game. |
|||||
Chris Godwin (WR) | Prob Sun | Quadricep - 20 / 01 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Godwin is nursing a quad injury, but he is expected to take part in the NFC Championship game against the Packers. |
|||||
Ronald Jones II (RB) | Prob Sun | Quadricep - 20 / 01 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Jones II is tending to a quad injury, but he is expected to be active against the Packers in the NFC Championship game. |
|||||
Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 20 / 01 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Murphy-Bunting has injuries to his ankle and quad, but it is projected that he will partake in the NFC Championship game versus the Packers. |
-
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
20 -
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
28
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 7 Dec 2:02am MIN -6.5 -110 O +52.5 -110 Closing 13 Dec 2:26pm MIN -7.5 +103 O +52.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Vikings Team Leaders
Touchdowns 17
Rushing 1557
Passing 4265
Receiving 88
Sacks 3.5
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns 13
Rushing 978
Passing 4633
Receiving 70
Sacks 9.5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 4
Rushing 300
Passing 1061
Receiving 18
Sacks 4
Interceptions 3
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Buccaneers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 17
Rushing 1557
Passing 4265
Receiving 88
Sacks 3.5
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns 13
Rushing 978
Passing 4633
Receiving 70
Sacks 9.5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 4
Rushing 300
Passing 1061
Receiving 18
Sacks 4
Interceptions 3
-
Weather
temp 78 condition cloudy wind South 5mph -
Injuries
Brett Jones (C)
Out Sun Groin - 01 / 01 / 21Dan Bailey (K)
Ques Sun Back - 30 / 12 / 20Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE)
Out Sun Chest - 30 / 12 / 20Riley Reiff (T)
Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 20Cameron Dantzler (CB)
Out Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20C.J. Ham (FB)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 22 / 12 / 20Jalyn Holmes (DE)
Out Sun Groin - 22 / 12 / 20Jaleel Johnson (DT)
Ques Jan 3 Knee - 22 / 12 / 20Hercules Mata'afa (DT)
Ques Fri Back - 22 / 12 / 20Alexander Mattison (RB)
Prob Sun Concussion - 22 / 12 / 20Cameron Brate (TE)
Prob Sun Back - 05 / 02 / 21Lavonte David (LB)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 01 / 21Mike Evans (WR)
Prob Sun Knee - 28 / 01 / 21Vita Vea (DL)
Ques Sun Ankle - 28 / 01 / 21Jordan Whitehead (S)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 28 / 01 / 21Antoine Winfield Jr. (S)
Prob Sun Ankle - 22 / 01 / 21Mike Evans (WR)
Prob Sun Knee - 20 / 01 / 21Chris Godwin (WR)
Prob Sun Quadricep - 20 / 01 / 21Ronald Jones II (RB)
Prob Sun Quadricep - 20 / 01 / 21Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB)
Prob Sun Ankle - 20 / 01 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Brett Jones (C) Out Sun Groin - 01 / 01 / 21 0-1 1-0 + - Jones is hampered by a groin injury, and it will keep him off the field Sunday versus the Lions.
Dan Bailey (K) Ques Sun Back - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Bailey is managing a back injury, and it is unknown if he will partake in Sunday's clash with the Lions.
Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE) Out Sun Chest - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Odenigbo has a chest injury, and he will not participate in Sunday's showdown against the Dolphins.
Riley Reiff (T) Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Reiff has been entered on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and will be out for an unknown length of time.
Cameron Dantzler (CB) Out Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Dantzler is hampered by a hamstring injury, and he will not face the Lions on Sunday.
C.J. Ham (FB) Ques Sun Quadricep - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Ham is hindered by a quad injury, leaving his status against the Lions on Sunday clouded.
Jalyn Holmes (DE) Out Sun Groin - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Holmes is bothered by a groin injury, and he will not take on the Lions on Sunday.
Jaleel Johnson (DT) Ques Jan 3 Knee - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Johnson is hobbled by a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will take the field against the Lions on January 3rd.
Hercules Mata'afa (DT) Ques Fri Back - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Mata'afa is hampered by a back injury, and has yet to be determined if he will participate in Friday's clash with the Saints.
Alexander Mattison (RB) Prob Sun Concussion - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Mattison is battling a concussion, but it is likely that he will be available for Sunday's matchup with the Lions.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Cameron Brate (TE) Prob Sun Back - 05 / 02 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Brate is dealing with a back injury, but he is likely to suit up against the Chiefs in the 2021 Super Bowl.
Lavonte David (LB) Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - David is tending to a hamstring injury, but it is likely that he will take the field against the Chiefs in the 2021 Super Bowl.
Mike Evans (WR) Prob Sun Knee - 28 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Evans is hampered by a knee injury, but he is expected to line up for the 2021 Super Bowl against the Chiefs.
Vita Vea (DL) Ques Sun Ankle - 28 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Vea is bothered by an ankle injury, leaving his availability against the Chiefs in the 2021 Super Bowl hazy.
Jordan Whitehead (S) Prob Sun Shoulder - 28 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Whitehead is managing shoulder and knee injuries, but he is expected to dress for the 2021 Super Bowl against the Chiefs.
Antoine Winfield Jr. (S) Prob Sun Ankle - 22 / 01 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Winfield Jr. is hobbled by an ankle injury, but it is projected that he will dress for the 2021 Super Bowl against the Chiefs.
Mike Evans (WR) Prob Sun Knee - 20 / 01 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Evans is bothered by a knee injury, but he is likely to line up against the Packers in the NFC Championship game.
Chris Godwin (WR) Prob Sun Quadricep - 20 / 01 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Godwin is nursing a quad injury, but he is expected to take part in the NFC Championship game against the Packers.
Ronald Jones II (RB) Prob Sun Quadricep - 20 / 01 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Jones II is tending to a quad injury, but he is expected to be active against the Packers in the NFC Championship game.
Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB) Prob Sun Ankle - 20 / 01 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Murphy-Bunting has injuries to his ankle and quad, but it is projected that he will partake in the NFC Championship game versus the Packers.