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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers begin their version of the post-Tom Brady era on the road against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday. Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium is at 1 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Buccaneers vs. Vikings odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
The Buccaneers are coming out with a much different outlook than the team that had the worst rush offense in the league in 2022 — primarily because Brady threw 733 times last season. QB Baker Mayfield takes over as the signal caller, and that’s sure to force the offense to work with a very different game plan.
The Vikings finished 13-4 last season despite having the league’s 31st-ranked defense. Something is going to have to change if Minnesota wants to repeat as NFC North champions because you can’t bank on going 11-0 in 1-score games.
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Buccaneers at Vikings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Buccaneers +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Vikings -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Buccaneers +5.5 (-110) | Vikings -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 46 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Buccaneers at Vikings key injuries
Buccaneers
- G Cody Mauch (back) questionable
- DT Calijah Kancey (calf) questionable
Vikings
- DE Marcus Davenport (ankle) questionable
Buccaneers at Vikings picks and predictions
Prediction
Vikings 27, Buccaneers 24
Moneyline
PASS.
The Vikings are viewed as a clear favorite and they should come away with a win in front of their home fans. Minnesota was 8-1 at home last season, but you should never risk 2 1/2 times your potential return in a game with so many unknowns.
Against the spread
BET BUCCANEERS +5.5 (-110).
While the Vikings have added new defensive coordinator Brian Flores, he is still learning the strengths and weaknesses of his defensive players. Minnesota found ways to win close games in 2022 (you don’t win 11 1-score games as a complete fluke), but it often had to come from behind late in games to win.
Mayfield may be on his last stop in his NFL journey if things don’t start strong for the Bucs. Minnesota’s porous defense will likely allow him to look good, even if Tampa Bay doesn’t win.
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Over/Under
OVER 46 (-110) seems almost inevitable because the Vikings are going to be passing a lot. Moving on from RB Dalvin Cook was a signal of that change in offensive philosophy. QB Kirk Cousins has elite weapons in WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and TE T.J. Hockenson that the Buccaneers will struggle to contain.
The Buccaneers will look to attack a weak Vikings defense just as hard, making for a back-and-forth style of game that should rise past the O/U number.
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