Vikings are - 6.0 v Bucs

Vikes are actually -6.0

Vikings at home. Bucs probably among the worst 3 or 4 teams in the NFL. Honestly, if the Vikings drop this one, it could be a long season. 

Easy trap game,   at home,  weak opponent, Philly 4 days later.  Real easy to look past.

@"JimmyinSD" said: Easy trap game,   at home,  weak opponent, Philly 4 days later.  Real easy to look past.

We play Philly on the road 4 days later? FU NFL

Bucs just lost their starting center to injury for the year. 

@"StickyBun" said: Bucs just lost their starting center to injury for the year. 

Bet we still struggle to push the pocket on Mayfield.  Actually I think we've looked better at that in the preseason but since none of the starters played....who knows?

@"JimmyinSD" said: Easy trap game,   at home,  weak opponent, Philly 4 days later.  Real easy to look past.

Does any team look past the first game of a season?  The last few years Philly has smacked us back into reality so that game will be a great early test after a tough contest vs the Buccs. 

The Jensen injury hurts them, but their defense is talented and going to test us and if they can muster enough offense with Mayfield and those receivers...who knows

Even with some first game rust or whatever, this is game we should win. Baker is a gamer and they have some talent but cmon. We gotta win this one! I think the Vikes will. 

@"JimmyinSD" said: Easy trap game

That's not really a thing.

I can’t imagine that any team is looking past the first
game.  There’s just so many potential problems
that you have to be working on, both internally and externally.  For starters, how much can you really assume
that you even know their scheme and playbook, and how many new faces do you
have to ensure are up to speed, but you’ve never really seen them tested in
your system.  I don’t really think trap
games exist until like week 4+ as you’re just trying to patch all the holes on
your own team.

@"pattersaur" said: Even with some first game rust or whatever, this is game we should win. Baker is a gamer and they have some talent but cmon. We gotta win this one! I think the Vikes will. 

I think everyone's just being a typical Viking fan--approaching with caution and low expectations. But if that's what it takes to keep from getting your heart broken, I get it. Mine is calloused over. Vikings by 14.

@"StickyBun" said: Bucs just lost their starting center to injury for the year. 

It's not just that. Their RT, Goedeke, is a 2nd year player and was so bad on the left last year (pass blocking grade 40.7), they had to move Tristan Wirfs over. Now, Wirfs is great, an All Pro, but he's never played on the left before. He's so worked up about it he started seeing a psychologist. Who knows who's playing center now. Mauch, a good looking rookie from NDS is starting at RG. But he's still a rookie playing in his first NFL game. 

As long as Baker Mayfield sweeps out the stadium and lays in sodas and beers for 65,000, things should be o.k. for Tampa.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"StickyBun" said: Bucs just lost their starting center to injury for the year. 

Bet we still struggle to push the pocket on Mayfield.  Actually I think we've looked better at that in the preseason but since none of the starters played....who knows?

Tampa has never played against the Flores defense & there's no tape for them to view. I'll be very worried if the Tampa offense can move the ball against our defense.

@"StickyBun" said: Bucs just lost their starting center to injury for the year. 

He didn’t play last year either, rehabbed a major knee injury w/o surgery all season ,played in losing wild card game-his knee & his career are probably done…

Baker beat us about two years ago. I believe it was his best game as a pro.

@"FLVike" said: Baker beat us about two years ago. I believe it was his best game as a pro.

No, he was lousy in that game. Completion percentage in the 40s, 143 yards passing, 0 TDs. The story of that game was our inability to stop the run (probably our biggest concern against Tampa too) and Kirk Cousins playing probably his worst game as a Viking. 

@"medaille" said: I can’t imagine that any team is looking past the first game.  There’s just so many potential problems that you have to be working on, both internally and externally.  For starters, how much can you really assume that you even know their scheme and playbook, and how many new faces do you have to ensure are up to speed, but you’ve never really seen them tested in your system.  I don’t really think trap games exist until like week 4+ as you’re just trying to patch all the holes on your own team.

Our starters on offense are basically the same. They ought to have the scheme figured out.