NFL Matchup Center
Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vikings vs Buccaneers
Minnesota and Tampa Bay were NFC Central rivals for a quarter-century before divisional realignment split them up in 2002. They still meet every few seasons, and this year's game is set for Week 3. Here is the full head-to-head record, the last result, and every previous meeting.
All-time series
Vikings lead 33-24
Total meetings
57 regular-season games
Last meeting
Sep 10, 2023 · Buccaneers 20-17
2026 schedule
Week 3 · Sun, Sep 27 · at Tampa Bay
Series overview
A long history, now an occasional matchup
The Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers played twice a year for 25 seasons, from the Buccaneers' 1976 arrival in the league through 2001, as division rivals in the old NFC Central. The 2002 NFL realignment moved Tampa Bay into the NFC South, and the two teams have met far less often since — usually once every two or three seasons as part of the regular interconference rotation.
That long shared history means this is one of the deeper series on Minnesota's schedule: 57 regular-season meetings since 1977, with the Vikings holding a 33-24 edge. The two franchises have never met in the playoffs.
This page covers the confirmed 2026 Week 3 game at Tampa Bay, the two teams' most recent completed meeting in 2023, and the full run of results between them. Figures are sourced from official team histories and box scores; see "Sources" near the bottom of this page.
All-time record
Vikings vs Buccaneers head-to-head record
Regular-season meetings only. The teams have never met in the postseason.
57 games, Vikings lead 33-24
The series ran twice a season through the shared NFC Central era (1977-2001), then continued on a lighter, every-few-years schedule after Tampa Bay's move to the NFC South in 2002. Minnesota's largest win in the series came in 1988 (49-20); Tampa Bay's largest wins have been by 27-28 points, in 2000 and 2001.
Franchise founded
Super Bowl titles
Current division
2026 head coach
Minnesota has appeared in four Super Bowls (following the 1969, 1973, 1974 and 1976 seasons) and lost all four. Tampa Bay has appeared in two Super Bowls and won both: Super Bowl XXXVII (2002 season) and Super Bowl LV (2020 season, with Tom Brady).
Latest meeting
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Minnesota Vikings 17
Week 1 of the 2023 regular season, September 10, 2023, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis.
September 10, 2023 · Week 1 · U.S. Bank Stadium
Baker Mayfield's Buccaneers debut
Buccaneers
20
Vikings
17
Baker Mayfield, in his first start at quarterback for Tampa Bay, threw two touchdown passes and did not turn the ball over. Kirk Cousins threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted once, and Minnesota's three turnovers proved decisive. A 57-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal with 5:10 left put the Buccaneers ahead for good. Justin Jefferson had the best individual day on either side with 150 receiving yards.
Player stats from the latest meeting
| Player | C/ATT | Yds | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBBaker Mayfield | 21/34 | 173 | 2 | 0 |
| MINKirk Cousins | 33/44 | 344 | 2 | 1 |
| Player | Car | Yds |
|---|---|---|
| TBRachaad White | 17 | 39 |
| MINAlexander Mattison | 11 | 34 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBMike Evans | 6 | 66 | 1 |
| MINJustin Jefferson | 9 | 150 | 0 |
Team totals: Minnesota outgained Tampa Bay 369 to 242 total yards but lost the turnover battle 3-0, which decided the game.
Notable meetings
Three games worth remembering
Dec 13, 2020Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Buccaneers 26, Vikings 14
Tom Brady, in his first season with Tampa Bay, threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns as the Buccaneers wore down Minnesota's defense. Dalvin Cook still rushed for 102 yards against the league's top-ranked run defense in a losing effort. The Buccaneers went on to win Super Bowl LV that same season.
Sep 24, 2017U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Vikings 34, Buccaneers 17
With Sam Bradford injured, Case Keenum threw for a career-high 369 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover, building a 28-3 lead by the third quarter. Stefon Diggs caught two touchdowns among his 173 receiving yards, and Dalvin Cook scored his first NFL touchdown. It was an early sign of the Vikings' surprise run to the NFC Championship Game that season.
Oct 23, 1988Tampa Stadium, Tampa
Vikings 49, Buccaneers 20
The largest margin of victory either team has managed in this series, a 29-point win in Week 8 of the 1988 season. Minnesota beat Tampa Bay twice that year on its way to an NFC Central title and a playoff berth.
Match history
Vikings vs Buccaneers: recent meetings
The 13 most recent regular-season games between the two teams, most recent first. The series dates back to 1977 and totals 57 games; see "Sources" below for the complete list maintained by the Buccaneers' official team site.
| Season | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Buccaneers 20, Vikings 17 | Minneapolis |
| 2020 | Buccaneers 26, Vikings 14 | Tampa |
| 2017 | Vikings 34, Buccaneers 17 | Minneapolis |
| 2014 | Vikings 19, Buccaneers 13 (OT) | Tampa |
| 2012 | Buccaneers 36, Vikings 17 | Minneapolis |
| 2011 | Buccaneers 24, Vikings 20 | Minneapolis |
| 2008 | Buccaneers 19, Vikings 13 | Tampa |
| 2005 | Buccaneers 24, Vikings 13 | Minneapolis |
| 2002 | Buccaneers 38, Vikings 24 | Tampa |
| 2001 | Buccaneers 41, Vikings 14 | Tampa |
| 2001 | Vikings 20, Buccaneers 16 | Minneapolis |
| 2000 | Buccaneers 41, Vikings 13 | Tampa |
| 2000 | Vikings 30, Buccaneers 23 | Minneapolis |
Rows for the same season are listed in the order given by the Buccaneers' official series history; exact week numbers for the 2000-2002 games were not independently confirmed. The two teams played twice per season from 1977 through 2001 as NFC Central rivals, then far less often after the 2002 realignment moved Tampa Bay to the NFC South.
A note on this page
What this page leaves out, and why
This page does not include a current-2026-season statistical comparison (points per game, total yards, turnover margin) because one week into the 2026 season is not a meaningful sample. Minnesota opened with a 39-22 home win over Green Bay on September 13 and is 1-0. The franchise-level comparison above (Super Bowl titles, founding years, current head coaches) uses figures that do not change week to week and can be verified independently. Current-season team comparisons will be more useful as the season progresses; for now, see the standings and the Week 1 recap and box score.
Game-day info
Viewing guide: Vikings at Buccaneers
The Week 3 game kicks off Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 3:05 PM CDT from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The game is on FOX; check your local listing for changes.
Full 2026 Schedule
See every Vikings game this season, including the Week 3 trip to Tampa Bay, with dates and kickoff times as they're confirmed.
All Viewing Guides
Channel, streaming and radio information for Vikings games, updated as each week's broadcast assignment is announced.
Vikings Tickets
Ticket information for Vikings games, home and away, including this season's schedule.
Reader questions
Frequently asked questions
Who won the last Vikings vs Buccaneers game?
Tampa Bay won 20-17 on September 10, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes in his Buccaneers debut, and a late Chase McLaughlin field goal was the difference.
What is the Vikings' all-time record against the Buccaneers?
Minnesota leads the regular-season series 33-24 across 57 meetings dating back to 1977.
Have the Vikings and Buccaneers ever met in the playoffs?
No. All 57 meetings between the two franchises have been regular-season games.
When do the Vikings play the Buccaneers in 2026?
Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Week 3, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 PM CDT on FOX.
What was the largest margin of victory in the series?
Minnesota's 49-20 win on October 23, 1988, in Tampa is the largest margin, at 29 points.
Has Tom Brady played against the Vikings for Tampa Bay?
Yes. On December 13, 2020, Brady and the Buccaneers beat Minnesota 26-14 in Tampa. Tampa Bay went on to win Super Bowl LV that season.
How many times have the Vikings and Buccaneers played overall?
57 times in the regular season since 1977, plus no playoff meetings.
Who has more Super Bowl titles, the Vikings or the Buccaneers?
Tampa Bay has two Super Bowl titles (following the 2002 and 2020 seasons). Minnesota has appeared in four Super Bowls but has not won any of them.
Related coverage
More matchup history on this site
Sources used on this page:
- Buccaneers.com, complete Vikings-Buccaneers series history
- ESPN box score, Buccaneers at Vikings, September 10, 2023
- ESPN recap, Vikings at Buccaneers, December 13, 2020
- ESPN recap, Buccaneers at Vikings, September 24, 2017
- Official Vikings schedule
- Official Buccaneers schedule
- minnesotavikings.io 2026 schedule (source for the confirmed Week 3 date, time and venue)