The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face off against the Minnesota Vikings in an exciting NFC showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium. The starting quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield for the Buccaneers and Kirk Cousins for the Vikings, will be under pressure to perform and lead their respective teams to victory.

When it comes to the offensive leaders, the Buccaneers rely on Mayfield, who had 850 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in 2022. However, the Vikings’ offense is led by Cousins, who was more prolific with 4,547 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. Both teams will be looking to exploit the opposition’s weaknesses and put up big numbers on the scoreboard.

Looking back at their previous meeting, the Buccaneers emerged victorious with a 26-14 win over the Vikings. However, the Vikings have historically had the upper hand in the head-to-head matchup, holding a 33-23 advantage in the all-time series. This adds a fascinating dynamic to the upcoming game, as both teams will be eager to come out on top.

The game will take place on Sunday, September 10th, with kickoff at 5:00 PM UTC. Fans can catch all the action of Buccaneers vs. Vikings live on CBS.

QB Matchup

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 19: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the start of a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Titans defeated the Vikings 24-16. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

In the battle of the quarterbacks, Mayfield and Cousins will be looking to outshine each other. Mayfield has shown flashes of brilliance but will need to improve his decision-making to stay ahead of the game. On the other hand, Cousins has been a reliable leader for the Vikings, with a higher passer rating of 92.5 compared to Mayfield’s 86.4. It will be intriguing to see who makes the bigger impact and leads their team to victory.

Betting Insights

For bettors, the game presents an interesting opportunity. The spread for this game is likely to be tight, given the competitiveness of the two teams. However, it may be worth considering the money line bet, where betting on the Vikings could yield higher returns. Additionally, considering the offensive firepower on both teams, the over/under bet may be an attractive option, with a high-scoring game expected.

Fantasy Insights

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 26: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the start of a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 26, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 18-17. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

In terms of fantasy football, both Mayfield and Cousins are viable options for starting quarterbacks in this matchup. However, Cousins’ numbers this season make him a more attractive choice, especially considering the Vikings’ strong offensive line. Keep an eye on the Vikings’ receivers (Justin Jefferson, I’m looking at you), as they have a wealth of talent that could provide fantasy owners with significant points throughout the game.

Overall, the Buccaneers vs. Vikings game could be a thrilling battle. Will we see Mayfield prove the doubters wrong and lead the offense down the field consistently? Or will Kirk Cousins outplay him and lead Minnesota to an easy win?

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Featured image: Icon Sportsware/Getty Images

About Author

Nathan Nguyen

My name is Nathan Nguyen, a college student from the beautiful state of California. I cover the three major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB) for Belly Up Sports. Outside of my writing, I host the 3rd and 10 Podcast: an NFL show with a focus on the New York Giants. We are live every Monday and Thursday at 1 PM EST on YouTube. I also host the Piggin’ Out Podcast, which is live every Tuesday at 7 PM EST on the Belly Up Sports YouTube channel. Finally, I am one of the four members of the Korner Booth Podcast, and we are live every Monday and Thursday at 7 pm EST.

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