Kyler Murray Is Back: 3 Things to Watch as the Vikings Try to Stay Perfect

The Vikings are 2–0.

Now we might finally get a better look at what this offense is supposed to be.

Kyler Murray has cleared concussion protocol and will return Sunday as Minnesota travels to Tampa Bay to face the 0–2 Buccaneers.

Carson Wentz did his job while Murray was out.

Now the Vikings turn things over to their starting quarterback and have a chance to start the season 3–0.

Here are three things I’ll be watching.

1. What Does the Offense Look Like With Kyler Murray?

This is the obvious one.

Murray played only 11 snaps before suffering a concussion in Week 1, meaning we still haven’t really seen Kevin O’Connell’s offense with its starting quarterback.

Wentz helped Minnesota survive.

Now it’s time to see what Murray can add.

The biggest thing I’ll be watching is his connection with Justin Jefferson.

Minnesota won last week despite Jefferson catching only three passes for 55 yards.

Getting the ball into the hands of the best player on the offense more consistently would be a pretty good place to start.

2. Can Brian Flores Make Baker Mayfield Uncomfortable?

Minnesota’s defense has been the story through two weeks.

The Vikings have eight sacks and four takeaways, and Brian Flores hasn’t exactly been shy about bringing pressure.

Now they get Baker Mayfield.

Tampa Bay’s quarterback has already faced plenty of pressure through two games, and Minnesota isn’t likely to make life any easier.

The interesting part will be how Mayfield responds.

If Minnesota can create pressure and force Tampa Bay into mistakes, this defense could once again control the game.

3. Can Minnesota Finally Put Together a Complete Game?

The Vikings are undefeated.

They also haven’t exactly made it look easy.

Week 1 required a huge comeback against Green Bay.

Week 2 was a 9–3 defensive battle against Chicago.

Minnesota deserves credit for finding two very different ways to win.

But eventually, you’d like to see everything come together at once.

With Murray back, Jefferson healthy and the defense playing extremely well, Sunday provides that opportunity.

A Chance to Start 3–0

It’s hard to complain about 2–0, especially when both wins came against NFC North opponents.

But Sunday could tell us quite a bit more about this team.

Was the defense’s dominant start sustainable?

What does Murray look like running this offense?

Can Minnesota finally get its offense and defense playing well on the same afternoon?

We’ll start getting those answers in Tampa.

And if the Vikings find a way to win again, we’ll probably have to start having a different conversation about just how good this team might be.