In a tightly contested matchup, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-20 in Week 3 of the 2026 season. This game was crucial for both teams as they sought to establish momentum early in the year, with the Vikings now moving to a strong start in their campaign. Offensively, Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers with an impressive performance, throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns. However, it was Aaron Jones Sr. of the Vikings who stole the show with a staggering 173 rushing yards, consistently breaking through the Buccaneers' defense and setting the pace for Minnesota's attack. Bucky Irving also made his mark for Tampa Bay, racking up 106 receiving yards to keep the Buccaneers competitive throughout the game. Defensively, the Vikings made key plays that shifted the momentum in their favor. Blake Cashman led Minnesota with four total tackles and helped stifle the Buccaneers' ground game, while Jalen Redmond added a sack to disrupt Mayfield’s rhythm. The turning point came late in the fourth quarter when Josiah Trotter intercepted a pass from Mayfield, allowing the Vikings to seal their victory and secure the win on the road.