Vikings News: Biggest plays from Week 1 vs. the Bucs

After months of waiting, the Minnesota Vikings finally returned to the field on Sunday to begin the 2023 regular season with a Week 1 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

As they attempt to win back-to-back NFC North titles for the first time since 2009, the Vikings will be looking to open up the 2023 campaign with a win over the Bucs.

The outcome of this matchup will be determined by a number of key plays. Included below are all of the most significant plays to take place during Sunday's contest between Minnesota and Tampa Bay.

Biggest Plays from the 1st Quarter

Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson kicked off his 2023 season with multiple catches in the opening quarter against the Bucs, including this one that he turned into a 30-yard gain.

Turnovers were the story of the first quarter for Minnesota, as two of their first three offensive possessions resulted in a fumble. Luckily, only one of these turnovers led to points for Tampa.

The Vikings' new-look defense also made their debut on Sunday, and even in a new scheme, it was still more of the same from veteran Minnesota pass-rusher Danielle Hunter.

Hit next for the biggest plays from the second quarter.

Biggest Plays from the 2nd Quarter

During the first quarter, Vikings center Garrett Bradbury had to leave the game due to a back injury, and he was replaced by Austin Schlottmann. Minnesota began the second quarter against the Bucs with Schlottmann still on the field in place of Bradbury.

To help with the center switch, the Vikings allowed Kirk Cousins to do what he does best: get the ball in the hands of his most talented receivers. Justin Jefferson began the quarter with a 25-yard catch and then rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison capped off the drive with an easy 39-yard touchdown.

Minnesota's defense performed well for the most part in the first half, but they had a slip up late in the second quarter and it led to a 28-yard touchdown catch for Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans.

These are the types of plays that the Vikings cannot afford to give up this season if they want to be a serious contender in the NFC.

And just when it seemed like Minnesota was about to re-take the lead before the end of the first half, Cousins threw his first interception of the season right on the goal line.

Hit next for the biggest plays from the third quarter.

Biggest Plays from the 3rd Quarter

The Vikings began the third quarter by ruling out center Garrett Bradbury for the rest of the game. That will be an injury to keep an eye on since Minnesota has a short week until the next game on their schedule.

After the news about Bradbury, things got off to a rough start for the Vikings' defense in the third quarter. The Bucs ended up finding a way to put seven more points on the scoreboard after some self-inflicted wounds were committed by Minnesota's defense and special teams.

Both teams only had one offensive possession in the third quarter and the lone drive for Minnesota's offense continued into the fourth quarter.

Hit next for the biggest plays from the fourth quarter.

Biggest Plays from the 4th Quarter

As we mentioned earlier, the Vikings offense had a drive that took place in both the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter on Sunday.

That drive turned out to last for 16 plays, including the final play that saw Minnesota running back Alexander Mattison score his first touchdown of the season.

Mattison was solid on Sunday in his first start as the Vikings' No. 1 running back since the departure of Dalvin Cook.

The Bucs re-took the lead in the fourth quarter thanks to kicker Chase McLaughlin nailing a field goal from 57 yards away.

That kick turned out to be the final points scored by either team on Sunday as Tampa was able to escape U.S. Bank Stadium with a win over Minnesota.