Vikings Outlast Buccaneers 23-16 as Jefferson, Mayfield Suffer Injuries

Minnesota moved to 3-0 with a road win in Tampa despite losing Justin Jefferson to an ankle injury, while the winless Buccaneers lost Baker Mayfield to a thumb injury late.

TAMPA, Fla. — An 86-yard punt-return touchdown by Myles Price and a 41-yard scoring pass from Kyler Murray to Jordan Addison carried the Minnesota Vikings past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-16 on Sunday. Murray's throw came on third-and-8 in the second quarter, when Addison got the better of Jacob Parrish in single coverage and adjusted to the ball in flight for a 17-10 lead.

The game took a physical toll on both rosters. Two-time All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson injured his right ankle in the first quarter when a defender fell on it, watched a couple of series, then walked to the locker room and did not play again. Baker Mayfield hurt his thumb on a last-gasp pass late in the fourth quarter, was down in pain before rising and leaving the field, and gave way to rookie Jalon Daniels for the final minute. Tampa Bay wideout Jalen McMillan exited with a knee injury in the first quarter and Minnesota cornerback Charles Demmings left with a hamstring issue, while inactives included Vikings punter Brett Thorson (hamstring) and Buccaneers edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (groin) and linebacker Josiah Trotter (shoulder).

The outcome sent the teams in opposite directions. Minnesota has started 3-0 for the second time in the past three seasons, while Tampa Bay is 0-3 for the first time since 2014 — a 2-14 season that ended with the No. 1 overall draft pick, spent on Jameis Winston.

Murray completed 15 of 29 for 168 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his first full game with Minnesota; a concussion had sidelined him in the first quarter of the opener, with Carson Wentz winning two straight in his place. Mayfield went 17 of 34 for 217 yards with a touchdown and an interception while absorbing six sacks — numbers that have not resembled those of a $55-million-a-year passer after the $165 million extension Tampa Bay handed him before the season.

Tampa Bay trailed 10-0 after a single possession. Following a three-and-out, Price took the punt up the middle, broke right and raced down the sideline for the first touchdown of his career. Mayfield responded with a 40-yard scoring pass to rookie Ted Hurst III, and his 37-yard connection with Cade Otton gave Tampa Bay a first down at the Minnesota 7. Holding penalties on Cody Mauch and Graham Barton pushed the Buccaneers back from there, and Chase McLaughlin's 28-yard field goal pulled them even.

Tampa Bay's offense generated little against Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and penalties kept wiping out its best moments. A'Shawn Robinson's interception of Murray gave the Buccaneers a first down at the Minnesota 22, but Bucky Irving ran for 3 yards and dropped a pass before a third-down sack of Mayfield led to McLaughlin's 38-yard field goal and a 17-13 score. Luke Goedeke's holding penalty erased an 85-yard Mayfield touchdown to Chris Godwin Jr. on third-and-30, and Payne Durham's hold nullified a 14-yard Mayfield scramble on second-and-9. The Buccaneers picked up a first down on third-and-29 only through Joshua Metellus's helmet-to-helmet penalty on Emeka Egbuka, then came away with McLaughlin's 54-yarder to pull within 17-16.

Field goals decided the late scoring. Will Reichard connected from 56 yards to put Minnesota ahead 20-16 with 3:10 to play, then added a 43-yarder to complete the scoring.

The matchup carried a family storyline as well: Buccaneers left guard Ben Bredeson faced his younger brother, Vikings rookie fullback Max Bredeson. A third brother, Jack, serves as director of player information for the New York Mets, and all three played their college ball at Michigan.

Both teams stay home next Sunday: the Vikings host Miami, and the Buccaneers welcome Green Bay.