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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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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 26: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 26: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy /

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Tampa Bay obviously has one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL. Winston, Evans and DeSean Jackson provide fireworks, for sure. However, the scariest part of their offensive attack may just be their tight ends. Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard is as good of a one-two punch as any other team in the league.

The Vikings defense may be a tough corps. However, last week, they showed many weaknesses. Andrew Sendejo may be able to hit hard but when he is out of position, he does not get to hit anyone. Out of position most of the game against the Steelers, Sendejo needs to have a big game against this dynamic offense.

The stout defensive front of the Vikings has a total of three sacks this season. All three have been registered by Everson Griffen. Obviously, Griffen does not need to be highlighted but the big boys in the middle, Tom Johnson, Brian Robison and Linval Joseph need to yield results. The big boys will now be going against an offensive line that only gave up 35 sacks last season and now get their right tackle, J.R. Sweezy back. Sweezy missed all of 2016 with a herniated disc in his back.

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What more needs to be said about the Vikings’ kicking woes? Kai Forbath may be fighting for his job after missing two extra points already in this short season. Seriously, the Vikings got back into the game and the missed extra point took all the wind out of their sails. Tampa is no stranger to kicking woes but Nick Folk will probably be lights-out against the Vikings just like every other kicker in the league. Yes, that is an attempt to jinx the veteran; hopefully, it works.

The Bucs have one of the best defensive tackles in the biz in Gerald McCoy. Nick Easton had a tough game this past week and may just be a key cog in stopping the fast defensive front of Tampa Bay. If Dalvin Cook wants to get going against a defense that held the Bears to 20 yards rushing, it all starts with the guys in the middle.

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