Vikings–Buccaneers
Final Score: MIN 23-16 TB
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kyler Murray (MIN) vs. TB: 15/29 Passing, 168 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 2 Carries, 17 Yards
Fourteen of Kyler Murray’s 29 throws hit nobody. He cleared concussion protocol, got his job back, and the Vikings won 23-16 mostly without him. A hundred sixty-eight yards. Three sacks. A third-quarter pick by A’Shawn Robinson. The good part was genuinely good, a 41-yard strike to Jordan Addison late in the second for a 17-10 lead. It was also the last touchdown Minnesota scored all night. Reichard handled the rest of it from 54, 56 and 43. Myles Price’s 86-yard punt return did more damage than the quarterback did. Minnesota is 3-0.
Running Back
Aaron Jones Sr. (MIN) vs. TB: 17 Carries, 58 Yards | 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 34 Yards
Aaron Jones Sr. had a mediocre first half, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. He still controlled the backfield with nine carries compared to just two for Demond Claiborne, but never made a major impact on the ground. Jones opened the second half with a 14-yard run, his longest of the game, but the Buccaneers’ run defense did a great job bottling him up for most of the afternoon.
Jones made his biggest impact through the passing game late in the fourth quarter as Minnesota fought its way back. He picked up key receptions of 11 and 12 yards that helped set up multiple field goals and eventually contributed to the Vikings’ victory. Most importantly for fantasy, none of the backup running backs made a serious dent in Jones’ workload. 1
Deejay Dallas (MIN) vs. TB: 1 Carry, 2 Yards
Demond Claiborne (MIN) vs. TB: 3 Carries, 1 Yard
Wide Receiver
Jordan Addison (MIN) vs. TB: 9 Targets, 5 Receptions, 90 Yards, TD
Justin Jefferson leaving the game proved one thing: this offense can only support one fantasy WR. Addison had a productive fantasy day, but most of his production came off two passes. He caught a 30-yarder and a 41-yard touchdown with one play in between. If Jefferson misses time, Addison will be a solid choice, even with questionable play from Kyler Murray.
Justin Jefferson (MIN) vs. TB: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 32 Yards
Jefferson seemed to be in for a big day, catching both of his targets in the first drive. He left soon after with an ankle injury and did not return. He still ended as the second-leading WR, despite essentially only playing one drive.
Jauan Jennings (MIN) vs. TB: 2 Targets, 1 Receptions, 1 Yard
Even with Jjettas out, Jennings remains unstartable.
Tai Felton (MIN) vs. TB: 2 Targets, 0 Receptions
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson (MIN) vs. TB: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards
The return of Kyler Murray did nothing to boost Hockenson’s involvement, even after Justin Jefferson departed. He should remain on waivers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield (TB) vs. MIN: 17/34 Passing, 217 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 2 Carries, 6 Yards
Six sacks. Thirty-one yards. And Baker Mayfield left the game hurt. The 40-yard bomb to Ted Hurst III in the first quarter was the last good thing that happened to Tampa all night. After that it was Chase McLaughlin kicking three times and a quarterback getting hit. The Bucs trailed 17-10 at the half, closed to 17-16 on a 54-yarder, and Reichard answered twice. At 1:54 of the fourth, Andrew Van Ginkel picked him off at the Tampa 41 and Mayfield was hurt on the play. Seventeen of 34. Exactly half. Three sacks last week, six this week. That’s a line problem, not a quarterback problem, and now there’s an injury on top of it.
Jalon Daniels (TB) vs. MIN: 0/3 Passing, 0 Yards, 0 TD, 1 INT | 1 Carries, 9 Yards
Jalon Daniels got the last two minutes and went 0 for 3 with a pick, Isaiah Rodgers taking it at the Minnesota 3 with eight seconds left. He did scramble for nine. If Mayfield can’t go, this is the Tampa Bay offense, and Emeka Egbuka managers should be sweating.
Running Back
Bucky Irving (TB) vs. MIN: 15 Carries, 46 Yards| 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 12 Yards
Kenny Gainwell (TB) vs. MIN: 3 Carries, -4 Yards | 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards
Sean Tucker (TB) vs. MIN: No Stats
Bucky Irving operated as the clear workhorse for most of the game. He ran efficiently in the first half at around 4.0 YPC, but Tampa Bay leaned too heavily on an ineffective passing game, with Baker Mayfield completing just 9 of 19 attempts before halftime. Irving continued dominating the backfield through the third quarter, while Kenny Gainwell didn’t record his first touch until late in the quarter. Irving also had a 15-yard reception wiped out by a penalty.
The biggest concern came in the fourth quarter, as Irving did not play undisclosed inover the final 10 minutes. His last touch came with 12:44 remaining on a one-yard run, with his absence later labeled as an jury. Gainwell handled the backfield work the rest of the way but was very inefficient on the ground. If Irving’s injury causes him to miss time, Gainwell could see an increased role while potentially opening the door for Sean Tucker to return to the rotation.
Wide Receiver
Emeka Egbuka (TB) vs. MIN: 9 Targets, 5 Receptions, 62 Yards
Egbuka puts up yet another disappointing fantasy performance, even off 9 targets. To add injury to insult, Baker Mayfield went down with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand in the fourth quarter. His backup is rookie Jalon Daniels, who came into this game and threw three passes for no completions and an interception. The future looks bleak for Egbuka owners.
Ted Hurst III (TB) vs. MIN: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 40 Yards, TD
After being peppered with deep targets in the last two weeks, the rookie finally got his with a wide open 40-yard bomb in the first quarter. Unfortunately that ended up being his only reception in the game.
Chris Godwin Jr. (TB) vs. MIN: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 25 Yards
Godwin seems to be resigned to this low target/reception/yardage role in this offense. Pretty much the same thing every week with this guy.
Tez Johnson (TB) vs. MIN: 2 Targets, 1 Receptions, 8 Yards
Jalen McMillan (TB) vs. MIN: 1 Target, 0 Receptions
Tight End
Cade Otton (TB) vs. MIN: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 56 Yards
An extremely Cade Otton line, which is neither a good thing nor a bad thing. It just kind of is. At least he’s received at least 5 targets in every game this season. That’s enough to consider him a decent TE2, if such a thing even exists.