Kyler Murray returns as Vikings visit winless Buccaneers

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Kyler Murray has the right opponent to get back on track after a concussion knocked him out of the season opener.

Murray will be under center when the Minnesota Vikings (2-0) visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) on Sunday. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback faces a defense that made Deshaun Watson look like an elite quarterback last week.

The Buccaneers haven’t generated much pressure, can’t tackle and routinely miss coverage assignments.

That bodes well for Murray, who watched Carson Wentz fill in and lead Minnesota to two gritty wins. Wentz didn’t turn the ball over and made enough plays, especially in Week 1 when he tossed three touchdown passes against Green Bay.

“I think the starting point is he’s just watched Carson really function in a way that Carson wasn’t doing crazy things,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “He was just protecting the football, making good decisions, making some big-time throws when he could and running the show. And I think he saw some plays get made. I think he saw our team play totally connected and complementary of the other two phases and what that can do for the Minnesota Vikings on a Sunday.”

Wentz was sacked six times in the first two games, but Murray’s mobility can create problems for Tampa Bay.

“It’s been a long time since (the) Arizona days, but he’s very good,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said of Murray. “He has a very good arm – he can throw a deep ball. He’s very good in the pocket, throwing on a dime, and he can run with the ball. His feet are probably faster than our four defensive linemen’s feet, so we’ve got to be very disciplined in our pass rush.”

Bowles already was on the hot seat after a 6-2 start in 2025 turned into an 8-9 finish. Now, the Bucs are 0-2 for the first time in 12 years. Baker Mayfield signed the biggest contract in franchise history and has more turnovers (four) than TDs (two). Defensive tackle Vita Vea got a huge contract extension and isn’t playing up to standards. Rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., a first-round draft pick with high expectations, hasn’t made an impact.

“The urgency is every week. It just happens to be this week,” Bowles said. “We treat every week the same, with the same amount of urgency. The fact that it’s this week (means) it’s the most important game, and then next week will be the most important, and it’ll go from there.”

Minnesota (2-0) at Tampa Bay (0-2).

When/where to watch: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT, Fox.

Latest odds: Vikings by 1 1/2.

Against the spread: Vikings 2-0; Buccaneers 0-2.

Last week: Vikings beat the Bears 9-3; Buccaneers lost to the Browns 23-19.

Last meeting: Buccaneers beat the Vikings 20-17 on Sept. 10, 2023, in Minnesota.

Series record: Vikings lead 33-24.

Buccaneers LT Tristan Wirfs vs. Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner. Wirfs is a two-time All-Pro and the only player to earn those honors at both left and right tackle. Turner, a 2024 first-round pick, is off to his best start. After finishing with eight sacks last season, he already has three in two games and leads the NFL with 20 pressures.

- Vikings QB Kyler Murray returns after sustaining a concussion early in the season opener. Backup Carson Wentz was efficient in leading Minnesota to two wins. He had no turnovers but got sacked six times.

- RB Aaron Jones led the Vikings with 105 yards rushing in Week 2.

- WR Justin Jefferson has 11 catches for 147 yards and two TDs in two games.

- LB Blake Cashman has at least seven tackles in 13 straight games and at least a half-sack in four in a row.

- Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield has two TDs (one passing, one rushing) and four turnovers (three fumbles, one interception) in two games.

- RB Bucky Irving is one of three NFC running backs with 90 or more scrimmage yards in each of the first two games.

- The Bucs are 0-2 for the first time since 2014.

- LB Josiah Trotter is one of four players since 2000 to have at least 10 tackles in two straight games to start his career.

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