O'Connell Criticizes Vikings Offense After 23-16 Win Over Buccaneers

Minnesota moved to 3-0 by beating Tampa Bay on the road, but Kevin O'Connell said the offense has a long way to go after another lagging statistical day.

The Minnesota Vikings moved to 3-0 on Sunday with a 23-16 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, yet the afternoon ended with their head coach picking apart everything that went wrong on offense. Speaking to reporters in Tampa, Florida, after the Week 3 game on September 27, 2026, Kevin O'Connell offered no satisfaction in the result and pointed to a gap between the team's record and its play with the ball.

His message was direct. "We gotta keep getting better on offense. We gotta get a lot better, from a standpoint of doing some routine things and taking advantage of some opps when we have them," O'Connell said. "Especially against a defensive front like that where we knew running the football would be difficult at times. I gotta do a better job."

The win itself nearly got away from Minnesota. Facing a Tampa Bay team in the midst of a difficult season, the Vikings came close to surrendering a late touchdown that would have evened the score and forced overtime; an injury to Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, per the game account, was all that prevented it.

At quarterback, Kyler Murray turned in an uneven afternoon in his first complete game in a Vikings uniform. He connected on 15 of 29 passes for 168 yards, threw one touchdown pass and one interception, and added 17 yards on two carries — a thin rushing contribution for a player widely regarded as one of the league's top dual-threat quarterbacks.

The offensive troubles predate Sunday and are not tied to one quarterback. Minnesota's attack has also faltered in the stretches when backup Carson Wentz, a former All-Pro and Super Bowl champion, has been on the field. Entering the weekend, the Vikings occupied the NFL's last spot in total offense at 242.5 yards per game, and they produced 246 against the Buccaneers — an increase, but only barely.

The defense has been a different story. Coordinator Brian Flores' group generated pressure all afternoon and sacked Mayfield six times, continuing a run of strong performances by that unit to open the season.

The victory also carried a cost. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson appeared to pick up an ankle injury during the game, and with the offense already at the bottom of the league in total yards, any absence or limitation on his part would deepen Minnesota's problems on that side of the ball.

Next on the schedule is a Week 4 home game against the Miami Dolphins, who arrive at 0-3 and still searching for their first win. With Jefferson's ankle now a concern, Minnesota could be confronting further offensive difficulty in that matchup, which offers the next chance to address the issues O'Connell raised after Sunday's game.