The Minnesota Vikings will finally open the 2023 season when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
This year’s team has plenty to unveil in Week 1 as Brian Flores takes over the defense, some new faces assume some key roles and the Vikings look to build off a 13-win season.
Sundays are always unpredictable in Minnesota but here are five things you can count on.
1. An opening-drive touchdown for the Vikings
The Vikings had several strengths a year ago, but one of their biggest was getting off to a fast start.
Minnesota scored on its opening drive in 11 of 18 games (including playoffs) last season. More impressively, 10 of those drives ended in a touchdown and the Vikings went 9-1 in those games.
The Vikings will look to get off to a fast start again on Sunday but the key will be keeping that momentum as they get deeper into the game.
“You certainly want to start fast, but you also have to finish strong,” Kirk Cousins said of the opening drive success. “If you have to pick one or the other, you’re going to always want to finish with a win and finish strong. But it definitely allows everybody to exhale a little bit, feeling like you’re ready to go and you came ready to go.”
2. A big role for Josh Metellus
There are plenty of unknowns about the Vikings new scheme under Brian Flores but the most exciting aspect could be what they’re going to do with Josh Metellus.
Metellus primarily played special teams through the first three seasons of his career but mixed in on defense starting three games and making a game-clinching interception against the Lions last season.
Josh Metellus seals the victory with his first career interception and, you guessed it…@PAOnTheMic LOST HIS MIND AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/eFMhbOwvqd
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) September 25, 2022
“I was intrigued by what I saw,” Flores said about Metellus on Thursday. “What I’d heard about him as a player, as a teammate, about his work ethic and then…just getting to know him along with all the other guys in the group, he’s definitely been a joy to spend some time with him and I’m excited for him this season.”
After working as a slot corner, safety and pass-rusher during the offseason, Metellus got another vote of confidence after signing a two-year extension that could be worth to $13 million after incentives.
All of it adds up to a big role for Metellus and perhaps a surprising impact against the Buccaneers.
3. A big day for Alexander Mattison
One of the most noticeable changes for the Vikings this season will be in the backfield. Dalvin Cook is now a member of the New York Jets and Alexander Mattison shocked many when he returned to the Vikings on a two-year deal in free agency.
That wasn’t the only vote of confidence Mattison received from the Vikings as the Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer reported that Mattison was promised the starting role when he signed his new contract.
This is all part of an overhaul in the running game as Minnesota signed tight end Josh Oliver and extended fullback C.J. Ham as they look to create a more efficient backfield in 2023. With the Buccaneers secondary featuring Carlton Davis and Antoine Winfield Jr., running the ball could be the best way to move the chains and it could help Mattison thrive in his new role.
4. A big challenge for the Vikings’ secondary
Baker Mayfield doesn’t instill fear into the hearts of Vikings fans but the weapons he has at his disposal could lead to a surprising output from the Buccaneers passing game.
Chris Godwin has posted over 1,000 yards in three of his last four seasons and Mike Evans is expected to play despite not reaching a contract extension prior to a Saturday deadline. With sixth-round pick Trey Palmer also turning heads, the Bucs can test a secondary that will include free-agent acquisition Byron Murphy Jr., second-year cornerback Akayleb Evans and rookie Mekhi Blackmon.
The best way to neutralize this could be taking advantage of a Tampa Bay offensive line that will include rookie Cody Mauch and Tristan Wirfs, who saw a psychiatrist this offseason in his attempt to move from right tackle to left tackle.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mayfield posted a 62.5 passer rating when pressured last season. If the Vikings can get to him, it should be an impressive performance for Flores’s defense.
5. Another close victory for the Vikings
Whatever happens on Sunday, we know that it will be close. Over the past two seasons, the Vikings have played in 26 one-possession games including 12 games last season.
Even crazier, the Vikings haven’t won a game by more than three scores since 2019 and are just one of four teams that haven’t done it dating back to 2020.
The Buccaneers aren’t as good as they were with Tom Brady at quarterback a year ago but they have enough to make Sunday’s game difficult. Even so, the Vikings can control the game by jumping out to an early lead and using their revamped running game featuring Mattison to cruise to victory.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Buccaneers 17
