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Buccaneers at Vikings: Five game-changing players

By Bailey Adams

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the sidelines during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the sidelines during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Stefon Diggs of the Minnesota Vikings makes a contested catch late in the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Stefon Diggs of the Minnesota Vikings makes a contested catch late in the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Stefon Diggs

No matter who starts under center for the Vikings on Sunday, one man on the outside will determine how the passing game goes. Stefon Diggs, when playing with Sam Bradford in week one, looked like a star. He caught seven passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Saints. With Case Keenum against the Steelers, though, he hauled in just two passes for 27 yards. If he can get open and spark the passing game, Minnesota’s offense will have far more options to work with against a hungry Tampa Bay defense.

As dominant as the Bucs were on defense in their season opener, there is plenty of room for improvement. Former Buc Mike Glennon, turnovers aside, was efficient. He completed 31 of his 45 passes (68.9 percent) for 301 yards and a touchdown. Turnovers bailed out Tampa Bay’s defense a couple of times, but the pass defense did struggle at times. If Diggs can exploit that, the run game with Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray could be more dangerous. The Vikings need some balance in their offense if they want to get a win on Sunday.

It’s likely that Brent Grimes will line up against Diggs, but Vernon Hargreaves could alternate coverage. Either matchup will be fun to watch. There are definitely other options for the Minnesota quarterback to distribute looks to, but Diggs is the guy that can determine whether or not the offense will have balance. If he can’t spark the passing game, Minnesota’s offense may be in for another day similar to the one it experienced against Pittsburgh.

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