Kyler Murray is officially back under center for the Vikings this week against the Buccaneers, confirmed by coach Kevin O’Connell on Monday. It’s a huge moment for Minnesota, especially after Murray missed most of Week 1 and all of Week 2 battling a concussion that knocked him out early in the season opener.
The Backup Who Built A Winner
When Murray went down in the first quarter against the Packers, after just 3-of-5 for 18 yards and an interception, it looked like a potential disaster. But veteran Carson Wentz stepped up big time. This dude came in and just delivered. In that Week 1 win, Wentz went 12-of-19 for 133 yards, throwing three touchdowns with ZERO interceptions. He kept the momentum going for a team that suddenly found itself 2-0. Talk about clutch!
Then this past Sunday, in a gritty defensive duel against the Bears, Wentz kept it clean again. He went 11-of-20 for 143 yards, absolutely no turnovers. He even said it himself, “We pride ourselves on taking care of the football… every possession matters and ending every possession with a kick is important.” You gotta respect that focus, especially when the weather turns nasty and points are hard to come by.
Murray’s Road Back Starts Tough
Now, Murray, a two-time Pro Bowler from his Cardinals days who just signed with the Vikings this offseason, steps into a winning situation against a Buccaneers squad desperate for a win. Tampa Bay is still searching for their first W of the season. They lost a sloppy opener in Cincinnati and then got upset by the Browns at home. Their defense? Yikes. They’re 24th in points allowed, 24th in third-down efficiency, and 22nd in passing yards allowed. Not great numbers for a team trying to find its footing.
But don’t sleep on them entirely, they’re 5th against the run and 7th in red zone efficiency. Murray will probably lean heavily on veteran running back Aaron Jones, who was the real MVP last Sunday. Jones absolutely carved up the Bears, running for 105 yards on 23 carries in that tight 9-3 victory. He was practically the *only* bright spot for a Vikings offense that mustered just 246 total yards and was a dismal 3-of-13 on third down. Wentz called Jones “a tough son of a gun,” praising his ability to carry the load. Murray is going to need that kind of production to ease his transition back.
This isn’t just another game for Murray. He’s taking the reins of a 2-0 team that found a way to win without him. The pressure is on to keep that momentum rolling against a hungry Bucs team in Week 3. Can he pick up where Wentz left off, or will the rust show against a defense fighting for respect?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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