Minnesota Vikings vs Buccaneers: 5 Keys to Victory in Week 3

Five Keys to Victory: Minnesota Vikings vs Buccaneers in Week 3

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 15: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings and Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shake hands after the preseason game on August 15, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 07: A referee collects his penalty flag as the Seattle Seahawks face the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 7, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 21-16. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

#4. Who’ll Stop The Rain

Last week, flags were flying so much from the hands of referees in Pittsburgh that fans of both the Vikings and Steelers were probably starting to think that it was raining yellow penalty markers.

Pittsburgh was penalized 10 times for 72 yards while Minnesota was flagged 11 times for 131 yards. No matter how you look at it, earning that many flags is an unacceptable act from either team if they are looking to win a football game.

It’s likely that head coach Mike Zimmer has been preaching discipline to his players this week in order to avoid unnecessary penalties that put the team in more challenging situations against Tampa Bay.

While sometimes penalties happen and that’s understandable, it’s ones like the taunting penalty from Mackensie Alexander and the 4th down encroachment call on Brian Robison that Minnesota needs to eliminate heading into this week.

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