Minnesota Vikings vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction & Odds – September 27, 2026
Minnesota brings an unbeaten start to Raymond James Stadium, where Tampa Bay is seeking its first win of the 2026 regular season. The contrast in results makes this a test of which team can control the game's pace.
Game details and odds
Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 4:05 pm EDT · Raymond James Stadium
| Team | Spread (American price) | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | -1.5 (-102) | -115 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +1.5 (-118) | -105 |
Total: 42.5 — over -112, under -108.
DraftKings odds checked September 27, 2026 19:00 UTC. Odds subject to change.
Minnesota's defense sets the terms
The Vikings are 2-0, allowing 12.5 points per game despite surrendering 389.5 yards per game. That gap suggests opponents have moved the ball without consistently turning drives into points. Minnesota averages 113.0 rushing yards per game, offering a potential way to keep its offense on schedule.
Minnesota's two wins have demanded different approaches. The Vikings scored 39 against Green Bay while allowing 22, then won 9-3 at Chicago. The Bears game showed they could survive with little scoring, but it also left a question about how reliably they can generate points when a game stays tight. Against Green Bay, their offense had considerably more room for error. Together, the results offer reasons for confidence in Minnesota's adaptability, not a guarantee that either formula will work again. Another low-scoring game would put particular weight on every possession.
Tampa Bay needs its offense to finish
Tampa Bay is 0-2 but averages 312.0 yards and 23.0 points per game. Baker Mayfield has 398 passing yards, while Bucky Irving has 134 rushing yards. The Buccaneers have produced offense, yet their 28.0 points allowed per game make defensive improvement central to a turnaround against Minnesota.
The Buccaneers have been competitive without getting the result they need. They scored 27 in a 33-27 loss at Cincinnati, then fell 23-19 to Cleveland at Raymond James Stadium. The first game showed Tampa Bay could score enough to stay in a higher-scoring contest, but it could not contain the Bengals. The Cleveland loss presented a different problem: the Buccaneers held their opponent to fewer points, yet their own scoring dropped as well. Finding a better balance between those two performances is the immediate challenge; neither result alone defines what they can do next.
Injury news
Minnesota Vikings: Nick Samac – Injured Reserve (Knee); Ivan Pace Jr. – Questionable (Personal); Brett Thorson – Out (Hamstring); Jordan Mason – Injured Reserve (Thumb); Ben Yurosek – Injured Reserve (Undisclosed).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter – Out (Shoulder); Rueben Bain Jr. – Out (Groin); Josh Hayes – Injured Reserve (Knee); Mohamed Kamara – Injured Reserve (Knee); David Sills V – Injured Reserve (Undisclosed).
Availability checked September 27, 2026 19:00 UTC. Reported statuses may change; final lineups are not confirmed here.
BTB Betting Pick
Winner pick: Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota's ability to win both a high-scoring game and a defensive struggle gives it the edge. Tampa Bay has stayed competitive in both losses, though, and could change the outcome by finishing drives.
Original winner pick recorded September 27, 2026 02:00 UTC. Subsequent updates retain that selection.