GAME RECAP: Baker Mayfield Leads Buccaneers To Gritty Victory in Minnesota

Despite Kirk Cousins' impressive statistics, Baker Mayfield's grit and determination proved to be the difference, as the Buccaneers upset the Minnesota Vikings at home.

There was plenty of excitement heading into this Week 1 NFC matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Bucs fans were eager to get their first glimpse of a Bucs team that has plenty of new faces, most notably at the starting quarterback position, with the enigmatic Baker Mayfield now leading the charge.

Minnesota fans were pumped to pack their home stadium and cheer on a team that has playoff aspirations, led by their dynamic QB-WR combo of Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson.

Once the game began, it was clear that both teams’ defenses came to play. Either that, or both offenses didn’t.

At least to start.

It didn’t take long for Kirk Cousins to figure out Todd Bowles’ zone defense, and once he did, he took full advantage. Cousins was hitting receivers – primarily the best receiver on the planet, Justin Jefferson – up the seams for explosive plays, pretty much at will.

However, the Vikings didn’t come away with too much to show for it, as the Buccaneers’ played opportunistic football, and managed to generate three turnovers in the first half. It felt strange at halftime, to see a quarterback carve up a defense so aggressively, but still only have 10 points to show for it.

The truth is, it was strange. Kirk Cousins became the first player since 2000 (Vinny Testaverde) to have 250+ passing yards and 3 turnovers in the first half.

Some credit is due to players like Antoine Winfield Jr., and Devin White, both of whom were flying around the field right from the start of this game. White appeared to suffer an injury while making a tackle in the first half, but shook it off quickly, and rejoined his teammates after missing just two plays.

VIDEO: Buccaneers Rookie Wide Receiver Scores First Career Touchdown

The Buccaneers’ offense struggled mightily in the first half of this football game. Aside from one drive that led to a Bucs’ field goal late in the first quarter, Baker Mayfield and Dave Canales’ offense was, for the most part, very stagnant. More often than not, Tampa Bay found themselves in third-and-long situations, without the execution to convert.

Of their seven offensive drives in the first half, the Buccaneers were forced to punt on five of them. The two exceptions being the aforementioned field goal by kicker, Chase McLaughlin, and a touchdown drive on their last possession of the first half.

After what was a slog of a first half, it felt like a breath of fresh air to see Mayfield running an uptempo offense during a 2-minute operation. After successful strikes to both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, advancing the ball into Vikings territory, Mayfield hit Evans again, with a touchdown strike in the middle of the end zone to tie the game, 10-10.

Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield (not pictured) as Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) defends during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The second half started off completely differently than the first. The Buccaneers started with possession, and Mayfield started to go off script a little bit, including an improvised shovel pass to Rachaad White for a healthy gain, and a rainbow screen pass to tight end, Cade Otton, under heavy duress. Initially, the Buccaneers came up short, and opted to kick a field goal. But when Vikings defender, Jay Ward, jumped offside, it gave the Bucs a fresh set of downs from inside the 10-yard line. The Bucs took advantage, with Mayfield hitting Trey Palmer on a drag route across the front of the end zone, which gave the Buccaneers a 17-10 lead, early in the third quarter.

VIDEO: Baker Mayfield Throws First Touchdown Strike to Mike Evans

The Vikings were quick to respond, though. Cousins marched the Vikings down to the goal line after continuing to add to his passing numbers on the day. The Bucs appeared to stop the Vikings short, after Christian Izien appeared to make a solid pass break-up on K.J. Osborn. Unfortunately, a very late (and very questionable) flag was thrown for pass interference giving the Vikings a fresh set of downs from inside the five.

This time, it was the Vikings’ turn to take advantage of their opponents’ mishap. Which is exactly what happened when Alexander Mattison scampered through traffic into the end zone to tie the game at 17.

Both of the following drives – one for each team – resulted in punts.

With less than 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Buccaneers took possession again. Although Dave Canales tried to establish the run game throughout this contest, the Buccaneers’ offensive line – similar to last season – really struggled to create many running lanes for Rachaad White to run through. 

Still, on a third and short from the Bucs’ own 30-yard line, Rachaad White failed to gain the necessary yardage, leading to what most would have assumed would be a punt. But, contrary to the philosophy that he employed all of last season, Buccaneers' head coach, Todd Bowles, made a daring decision, and opted to go for it on 4th-and-1 from his own 32-yard line. 

Mayfield dove to the left of his center, Robert Hainsey, and – just barely – picked up the first down. The referees needed to bring the sticks out to confirm. 

Todd Bowles' bravery paid off. And hopefully, the successful result of that decision will inspire him to take more chances this year. 

After a couple first downs, the Buccaneers came up short again in Vikings territory, with Bowles facing yet another tough decision. This time, on 4th-and-3, the Bucs' head coach opted to send out his new kicker, Chase McLaughlin, to attempt a 57-yard field goal. And despite the pressure, which was magnified by the the raucous crowd in Minneapolis, the Buccaneers' kicker stepped up, and with his ice in his veins, sent the ball through the uprights, giving Tampa Bay a 20-17 lead. 

On Minnesota's ensuing possession, the Buccaneers' defense stepped up. After boggling up Cousins, the defensive stand was encapsulated by a diving pass break-up by cornerback, Carlton Davis, on a 3rd-and-8 pass attempt. 

The Buccaneers' regained possession with just a few minutes to play. And let's just say, Baker Mayfield was feeling dangerous. 

Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) rolls out during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Despite moving the ball, it came down to a critical third down, which saw Mayfield survey the field – unable to find an open receiver – and scramble. He lowered his shoulder, and drove through a Vikings defender to make the first down right at the sticks. 

It was an incredibly gritty play, and ultimately, the difference in this football game. 

The Bucs would face one more third down, with a chance to seal the game. And it was there that Baker Mayfield took advantage of having the best receiving cast he's ever played with, as he hit Chris Godwin – who performed some incredible 'toe drag swag' – to make an incredibly difficult catch to secure a first down.

And the game. 

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the scoreboard at U.S. Bank Stadium read, Buccaneers 20, Vikings 17. 

Those two third down plays on the Buccaneers' final drive put an exclamation point on what was a tough, hard-nosed, gritty football game. And you know what? Despite Kirk Cousins' prolific performance through the air, Baker Mayfield was the quarterback who was showed the grit and determination needed to will his team to victory.

And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 1-0 because of it.

Follow Collin Haalboom on X. 

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 season.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook