Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Vikings beat Buccaneers 23-16 but lose Jefferson to injury. Bucs' Mayfield dislocates thumb

Myles Price returned a punt 86 yards for a score, Kyler Murray threw a 41-yard TD pass to Jordan Addison and the Vikings beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-16 on Sunday.

It was a costly game for both teams.

Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb on a desperation pass late in the fourth quarter. He was screaming in pain on the ground before walking off and was replaced by rookie Jalon Daniels in the final minute. Coach Todd Bowles said X-rays were negative, but Mayfield will have an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.

Two-time All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson didn’t return for Minnesota after injuring his right ankle in the first quarter. Coach Kevin O'Connell said Jefferson was close to returning but couldn't quite get the push-off he needed.

The Vikings are 3-0 for the second time in three years. The Buccaneers are 0-3 for the first time since 2014, when they finished 2-14 and got the No. 1 overall draft pick, taking Jameis Winston.

“We knew that was going to be an all-out, full team effort,” O'Connell said. “We have to get better in all three phases. I got to do a better job but to be 3-0, to have the type of support we had today from the fans, unbelievable to have that many in the house.”

Murray was 15 of 29 for 168 yards with one TD pass and one interception in his first full game with the Vikings. He sustained a concussion in the first quarter of the season opener and Carson Wentz led Minnesota to consecutive wins.

“There were some throws I missed. For my first my first full game since last October, I felt it started to slow down for me but, at the end of the day, offensively we just weren't on the same page,” Murray said.

Mayfield hasn’t played like a $55 million-a-year quarterback since the Buccaneers gave him a $165 million extension before the season. He was 17 of 34 for 217 yards with one TD and one interception, taking six sacks.

“I'm sure it looks bleak,” receiver Chris Godwin Jr. said. “It's not ideal. Definitely not the start we wanted and we never want to lose (Mayfield) but that's where we are right now and the reality is we have to pull ourselves out of this hole.”

Tampa Bay’s woeful offense couldn’t do much against coordinator Brian Flores’ defense.

Mayfield had an 85-yard touchdown pass to Godwin on third-and-30 negated by a holding penalty on Luke Goedeke in the third quarter.

That summed up the offense’s struggles.

Mayfield’s 14-yard scramble on second-and-9 later was negated by a holding penalty on Payne Durham. But the Bucs got a first down on third-and-29 when Joshua Metellus hit Emeka Egbuka helmet-to-helmet. Again, the offense had to settle for a field goal. Chase McLaughlin’s 54-yarder cut it to 17-16.

Will Reichard’s 56-yard field goal extended Minnesota’s lead to 20-16 with 3:10 remaining. He added a 43-yarder to cap the scoring.

Murray connected with Addison on a deep throw on third-and-8 to give the Vikings a 17-10 lead in the second quarter. Addison beat Jacob Parrish in one-on-one coverage, making a smooth adjustment on the ball.

After A’Shawn Robinson intercepted Murray’s pass to set up a first down at the Vikings 22 in the third quarter, the Bucs went nowhere. Bucky Irving ran 3 yards and then dropped a pass. Mayfield got sacked on third down and McLaughlin’s 38-yarder cut it to 17-13.

The Buccaneers fell behind 10-0 after just one possession. Following a three-and-out, Price darted up the middle, cut to the right and sprinted down the sideline for his first career touchdown.

Price said he had a dream earlier in the week that he scored on a return. Then he dreamed about it again while taking a pregame nap.

“It means everything,” Price said. “I'm so excited.”

It wasn't Minnesota's first punt return for a TD since 2016.

Mayfield fired a 40-yard TD pass down the seam to rookie Ted Hurst III to cut it to 10-7.

The Buccaneers had a first down at Minnesota’s 7 after Mayfield and Cade Otton connected on a 37-yard pass. But consecutive holding penalties on Cody Mauch and Graham Barton derailed the drive and McLaughlin kicked a 28-yard field goal to tie it.

Reichard can't miss Reichard has made 26 consecutive field goals, dating to last season.

Brotherly love Buccaneers left guard Ben Bredeson played against his younger brother, Vikings rookie fullback Max Bredeson. Their older brother, Jack, is the director of player information for the New York Mets. All three went to Michigan.

Injuries Vikings: Jefferson injured his right ankle when a defender fell on it. He walked to the locker room after watching a couple of series. ... P Brett Thorson (hamstring) was inactive. ... CB Charles Demmings left with a hamstring injury. ... TE Josh Oliver had a biceps injury.

Buccaneers: Edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (groin) and LB Josiah Trotter (shoulder) were inactive. ... WR Jalen McMillan left in the first quarter with a knee injury and didn't return.

Up next Vikings: Host Miami next Sunday.

Buccaneers: Host Green Bay next Sunday.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

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