Buccaneers vs. Vikings: Injured Tampa Bay defense faces Case Keenum

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take the field for the second time this season today, as they face the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis. They kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET today.

With Sam Bradford out and Case Keenum in, this should be a relatively easy win for a Bucs team that looked dominant last week—but this is the NFL, and the Vikings play at home.

Meanwhile, the Bucs are missing three defensive starters due to injury: cornerback Brent Grimes is out with a shoulder injury, linebacker Kwon Alexander with a hamstring injury, and defensive tackle Chris Baker with the flu. In addition, backup defensive end Jacquies Smith is out with the flu as well.

That leaves the Bucs vulnerable on defense and gives Case Keenum some perspective—he’s won a game against the Bucs in each of the past two seasons, too, miraculously. Hopefully third time’s a charm for the Tampa Bay defense.

Meanwhile, Jameis Winston looked solid last week but hasn’t really unleashed his new weapons DeSean Jackson and O.J. Howard yet. Maybe we’ll see some of that today—some offensive excitement would be nice this season.

Here’s your open thread for today.