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Minnesota Vikings Week 3 preview versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Justin Ekstrom

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 15: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings and Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shake hands after the preseason game on August 15, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 15: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings and Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shake hands after the preseason game on August 15, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Essentials to Victory

The easiest answer to the question of what is essential for a purple victory would be to have Bradford start. However, the Vikings can win this game by taking care of the football. The Buccaneers love taking the ball away as they were third in the NFL by taking the ball away 29 times last season. Conversely, the Bucs gave the ball away 27 times last season, making them one of the most turnover happy teams in the league. The Vikings need to get their first turnover of the season and take care of the football to make this one easier on whoever starts at quarterback.

Tampa Bay showed once again how dynamic they are in or near the redzone last week. The Vikings showed susceptibility to giving up easy scores in the redzone last week. An essential key to victory would be to keep the Bucs out of the redzone altogether. However, if they get in the redzone, the defense must be steadfast and keep them to a field goal attempt. Fans will want to avert their eyes if Tampa Bay is in the redzone. Mike Evan and Jameis Winston seem to never be on separate pages.

If the Vikings can spread the field and keep the defense of the Bucs gasping for air, the running game will open up. Dalvin Cook is close to taking over a game and if the purple win this game, it’ll be in large part due to Cook running wild.

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Vikings News: Minnesota makes a QB decision for Week 15 vs. the Bengals
Vikings News: Minnesota makes a QB decision for Week 15 vs. the Bengals /

The Viking Age

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    • Downfalls to avoid

    Penalties. Penalties need to be avoided, at all costs. I’m not sure why Trae Waynes cannot figure out that the refs will throw the flag on every penalty he commits, but maybe someone can explain it to me. Digression aside, Waynes may not have a spot for long and could easily be on the bench in this one. Obviously, he was not the only player penalized but he will get targeted and will need to clean up his game.

    If the Vikings get into a shootout, this game is over. The defense must keep the score close by getting off the field on third down. Sustaining drives on offense would also go a long way in the avoidance of a shootout. Winston cannot get going if he is on the sideline. If Winston is smiling, nothing good is happening for the Vikes. If Winston has his pout-face on, the Vikings can and will win this game.

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