The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have dug themselves into a hole at 0-2, and with another loss in Week 3, the season could be unsalvageable.
The Bucs desperately need to clean up their mistakes and find a way to get back into the win column, but that won’t be easy against a 2-0 Minnesota Vikings team.
Several problems in particular have contributed to Tampa Bay’s winless start, and if they’re going to earn their first win of the season in Week 3, they’ll need to fix them quickly.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers must fix these problems to avoid an 0-3 start
Baker Mayfield needs to avoid turnovers
Baker Mayfield has already turned the ball over four times through the first two games, with three fumbles and an interception.
Tampa Bay is 1-8 dating back to last season when Mayfield throws an interception. The Bucs are simply not good enough to overcome turnovers committed by their starting quarterback, and he needs to protect the football.
Minnesota is talented on both sides of the ball, and the Buccaneers can’t afford to give the Vikings an extra edge by giving the ball away. That starts with Mayfield.
Buccaneers OL must improve pass protection
The Vikings have sacked opposing quarterbacks four times in each of their first two games.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has allowed seven sacks total through two weeks. They’ve struggled to contain opposing pass rushes, and Minnesota presents the toughest test yet with their pressure-based scheme.
Percentage of defensive plays with a blitz
— PFF (@PFF) September 21, 2026
Vikings 73.0%
Commanders 54.2%
Lions 43.9%
Ravens 42.7%
Bucs 42.4%
Jets 42.4% pic.twitter.com/3jqPZEjzkj
The Vikings blitz more than anybody else in the NFL at a whopping 73% of defensive plays. They create chaos and throw the kitchen sink at opposing quarterbacks.
If Tampa Bay’s pass protection doesn’t step up, it will be a long day for Mayfield.
Bucs must clean up self-inflicted wounds
The Buccaneers’ early-season woes have been characterized by self-inflicted wounds. The Bucs just can’t stop beating themselves.
I mentioned turnovers earlier, but Tampa Bay is also committing boneheaded penalties in addition to high rates of missed tackles and blown assignments in coverage.
The Buccaneers spent the offseason bringing in new leaders and preaching accountability. But that supposed new attitude has been nowhere to be found throughout the first two games of the season.
This team has too much talent and too many experienced veterans to make so many mistakes each week. If they want to win against the Vikings, they need to ensure they don’t beat themselves.
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