Unattractive, but Adequate: the Minnesota Vikings Beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3

The Minnesota Vikings took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa on Week 3 and won 23 to 16.

If Minnesota Vikings fans thought that the return of starting quarterback Kyler Murray and the team not playing in a monsoon at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would mean a less ugly game, they can be forgiven--as a fanbase we traffic in optimism and unrealistic expectations. That said, if you're going to witness another ugly game, at least it was an ugly win.

It seemed like the man was due, Myles Price broke through the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coverage and took it to the house for a touchdown in Week 3.

One of the bright spots for the Vikings in Tampa was the performance of the special teams unit. Myles Price's sure hands, ability to track punts in the air, and tendency to not lose yards on returns has been important on Vikings' special teams. Tantalizingly close the past few games, this afternoon in the first quarter Price broke loose and streaked 86 yards down the field to score the Vikings' first touchdown. Kicker Will Reichard was once again absolutely automatic, kicking field goals in from 54, 56, and 43 yards out. Punter Johnny Hekker reliably pinned the Bucs deep, though the Vikings' coverage unit did not always contain the Buccaneers' returners.

Brian Flores continued to build his reputation as one of the most formidable defensive coordinators in the NFL. His defense harassed and hammered the Tampa Bay offense, sacking quarterback Baker Mayfield 6 times and intercepting him once. Players all over the defense were flashing moments, like Kyle Van Noy who played 16 snaps and racked up a sack and a half, five total tackles, three tackles for a loss. Ivan Pace, Jr. combined for 3 tackles and a half sack, running through everyone, anyone, on the Buccaneers offense. Dallas Turner had a comparatively quieter game with 3 combined tackles, one solo, and a half sack. Andrew Van Ginkel also had a half sack and snagged an interception.

In the "Not for Long" NFL, Kevin O'Connell might be running out of chances to prove he has what it takes to coach a championship team.

With special teams and defense playing at a, dare we say it, championship level, the Vikings only need competent performance from the defense to turn this team into a juggernaut. Competent was not the word for head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense in Week 3.

This game was quarterback Kyler Murray's first full game leading the Vikings' offense and it looked rough. There were moments of brilliance, like his 41-yard bomb to Jordan Addison for a touchdown, but there were also moments when he seemed out of synch with his receivers, over-throwing Addison, TJ Hockenson, and Josh Oliver. Credit to Tampa Bay, their defense did a good job of taking away a lot of the short, underneath passing options, but at times Murray also flat-out failed to see open receivers. It did not help that Murray lost Justin Jefferson in the first half to an ankle injury. Jefferson was initially ruled questionable to return, but was downgraded to out in the second half.

It almost appeared that O'Connell became hesitant in his playcalling with Jefferson out of the game. There were stretches where the offense looked like something that would have been dialed up in the Norv Turner run-run-pass-punt era. And it is difficult to make the running game work when lead back Aaron Jones (58 yards on 17 attempts), already banged up, was forced into being the bell-cow running back with Jordan Mason on injured reserve. Demond Claiborne had three carries for one yard, and Deejay Dallas had only one carry for two yards.

A win is a win, and ugly wins still count and all that, but fans are justified in having concerns. It is concerning that Murray looks like he's struggling to get on the same page as his receivers. It is concerning that the running back position is so depleted this early in the season. It is concerning that Kevin O'Connell struggles to adjust his offense. But all of those concerns look a lot better knowing that the Vikings are 3-0 and leading the NFC North Division. On to the Miami Dolphins and the friendly confines of US Bank Stadium. SKOL!