Kyler Murray’s return from a Week 1 concussion introduces an additional layer of intrigue to the Week 3 matchup against the Buccaneers.
This contest marks the fourth NFL encounter between former Oklahoma teammates Murray and Mayfield, with Murray currently leading the series 3-0.
Mayfield claimed the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma in 2017, but Murray succeeded him in 2018 and subsequently captured the award himself.
While their personal rivalry is notable, the broader stakes take precedence: the Vikings aim to secure a 3-0 record, while the Buccaneers must avoid falling to an undesirable 0-3 start.
One intriguing factor favors the home team: Mayfield has a favorable history against a Brian Flores defense. In 2019, Mayfield and the Browns defeated the Dolphins, and in 2023, he and the Buccaneers stunned the Vikings during Flores’s first game as defensive coordinator. Across those two matchups, Mayfield threw five touchdown passes and just one interception.