This has the makings of a fun preseason game. This year’s first overall draft pick, Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, finally gets to play his first live action game in the NFL. He’ll have his hands full with the Minnesota Vikings’ tough pass-rush in the way. The Vikings happen to be a formidable team in the preseason, and won’t bow down without a fight especially at home.
Don’t miss out on the chance to check out the other teams in the NFL preseason. Take a look at our complete previews for the Chiefs vs. Cardinals and Colts vs. Eagles.
[sc:Football ]Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings Preview
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
When: Saturday, August 15, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3.5) at Minnesota Vikings (-3.5); total 36.0 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Make way because this year’s first-overall draft pick makes his first ever start as a professional, albeit in the preseason. 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston takes the field as he leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their first preseason action against Minnesota.
[sc:NFL240banner ]It’ll be interesting to see Winston throw some bombs in his preseason debut, especially after being compared to a young Aaron Rodgers. Bucs center Evan Smith drew that comparison, playing the first chunk of his career snapping to Rodgers in the Packers offensive line before spending time with Winston in training camp.
Expecting Winston to be one of the best playmakers right off-the-bat may be too much too soon, though. Reports have indicated that Winston has been throwing quite a few interceptions in training camp. He threw quite a steady dose of picks (18) in his final year of college football last season. Expect Winston to throw his fair share of interceptions in this game at least in the few series that he may play.
Winston will have a viable target in wide receiver Kenny Bell, who looked like a steal in training camp as a fifth-round draft pick. Bell had 788 yards receiving and six touchdowns in his final year of college football with Nebraska last season. After Winston checks out of the game, backup quarterback Mike Glennon has one cannon of an arm to give Bell quite a workout after throwing for 1,417 yards and 10 touchdowns in six games last season.
All the talent in the backfield will be useless if the offensive line can’t hold its ground against Minnesota’s front seven. Tampa Bay is pretty much set with Demar Dotson, Logan Mankins and Smith in the offensive line, giving them ample time to evaluate a pair of second-round draft picks in offensive linemen Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet.
The Bucs have lost six of their last eight preseason games.
Betting on the Minnesota Vikings
The Bucs’ revamped offensive line is in for a tough break when they face a dominant Minnesota front seven. The Vikings tied for ninth in the league with the most sacks (41.0) last season. While the starters may play for only a handful of series, the Vikings have a quality rookie pass-rusher in Danielle Hunter.
A third-round draft pick from LSU, Hunter finished with three tackles and a QB hit in his preseason debut against Pittsburgh. Expect him to get a couple of sacks against a Tampa Bay offensive line still seeking to find itself.
On the other side of the ball, we may finally get to see Teddy Bridgewater play in more than one series in his sophomore campaign. The Vikings quarterback led Minnesota’s first drive of the preseason, going 5 for 6 for 44 yards passing. His only miss came on a failed flip to Mike Wallace on fourth down attempt.
Don’t expect to Bridgewater to play through most of the first half. The Vikings may continue to put on a competition between Taylor Heinicke and Mike Kafka for the No. 3 quarterback spot. The two put up opposite games in the Hall of Fame Game; Kafa completed 7 of 10 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, while Heinicke went 7 for 10 for 51 yards with an interception and a sack.
Fans may also catch a glimpse of Adrian Peterson for the first time this season. He may be able to play a series or two after being held up due to domestic abuse allegations for almost the entire 2014 season. Peterson should be fresh and ready to break a sweat for this game.
The Vikings are 5-0 in preseason games under second-year head coach Mike Zimmer.
Writer’s Prediction
The Vikings starters build an early lead, while the reserves do just enough to preserve the lead. Minnesota improves to 6-0 in the preseason under Zimmer, covering -3.5. Create a betting account now and get your early dose of NFL action.
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