Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers odds, picks and predictions - Sportsbook Wire

The Minnesota Vikings (2-0) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) square off Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX). Let's analyze NFL odds around the Vikings at Buccaneers odds and make our expert NFL picks and predictions for the best bets.

A week after the Bears put up 59 points in their season opener, the Vikings (+4.5) shut them down for a 9-3 (Under 46.5) victory at rainy, soggy Soldier Field. It marked Minnesota's seventh straight win over the Bears in Chicago. The Vikings limited Bears QB Caleb Williams to 138 yards passing with 1 INT and 42 yards rushing before he was knocked out of the game with a hamstring injury midway through the fourth quarter. Vikings QB Carson Wentz, starting in place of injured QB Kyler Murray (concussion), was 11 of 20 for 143 yards. Minnesota had a little better luck on the ground with RB Aaron Jones Sr. rushing for 105 yards on 23 carries. K Will Reichard was 3 for 3 on FG attempts with a long of 49, accounting for all of the Vikings points.

The Buccaneers fell to QB Deshaun Watson and the visiting Cleveland Browns (+8.5) 23-19 (Over 41.5) in a game that was delayed more than 2 hours at the 2-minute warning due to lightning. Watson was 24 of 30 for 238 yards and 2 TDs and also led the Browns with 22 yards rushing to earn his first win since Sept. 15, 2024. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield was held to 21 of 34 passing for 182 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Tampa Bay RB Bucky Irving rushed for 89 yards on 17 carries.

The Vikings lead the all-time series 33-24. The Bucs won the most recent matchup, 20-17, at Minnesota on Sept. 10, 2023. Mayfield, making his first start for Tampa Bay, was 21 of 34 for 173 yards and 2 TDs. Former Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins torched the Bucs for 344 yards and 2 TDs, while WR Justin Jefferson hauled in 9 passes for 150 yards.

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 7:20 p.m. ET.

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There's no sugar-coating it -- Mayfield has looked bad through the first two games of the season after signing a 3-year, $165 million contract extension just ahead of the opening game. He's averaging 199 passing yards per game with 1 TD, 1 INT and 3 fumbles. He's been sacked 7 times. And now the blitz-happy Vikings are coming to town.

The Vikings offense is a bit of a wild card coming into the game as QB Kyler Murray returns after suffering a concussion in the first half of their opener. Wentz did well enough in relief to lead a 29-point second half in that game vs. Green Bay, but the Vikings offense went nowhere last week in an ugly game in Chicago.

I'll go ahead and give up a little juice and take the Vikings straight up rather than give the points. I'd hate to lose this by a point for not much gain monetarily.

This is essentially a pick 'em game. I'm not usually one to take such a small spread, but I do think this could be a tight one where every point counts. If you're on the Bucs, take the points, rather than the moneyline, just to be safe.

I don't love the total at 42.5, but I think defense rules the day to keep it Under. You might be surprised to find that the Bucs currently rank ahead of the Vikings in total defense. That's due in large part to a rush defense that has held opponents to 75 yards per game through the first two weeks of the season. I don't think either team is going to have much luck moving the ball consistently.

The Bucs have made at least 2 FGs in both their games, while the Vikings had 3 last week. I'm expecting a low-scoring game where more field goals will be scored than touchdowns.

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