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

By Adam Carlson

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)
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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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 17: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings is hit by Ryan Shazier #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 17: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings is hit by Ryan Shazier #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

#5. Protect The Quarterback

It feels a little too familiar to be writing about the Minnesota Vikings need to protect their quarterback. Last season, this was a key to victory for nearly every game of the season, with the squad very rarely achieving it.

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The good news is that this week the line is healthy and there are capable players up and down the unit. The bad news is that they were healthy last week and got demolished by a smothering Steelers defense.

Nick Easton might be coming off his worst game as a pro, but that should give him a reason to want to bounce back. Rookie center Pat Elflein continues to develop as well. Veterans Joe Berger, Mike Remmers and Riley Reiff should be the cornerstones of the unit.

More bad news is that even though Tampa Bay got just one sack against Chicago, they are a team that knows how to bring pressure and win battles at the line of scrimmage, as shown by their 6 tackles for a loss in Week 2.

Next: Week 3 NFL picks and predictions

What do you think are the keys to victory for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 of the 2017 NFL season when they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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