Vikings beat Buccaneers 23-16 but lose Jefferson to injury. Bucs' Mayfield dislocates thumb

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A stifling defense and a big play on special teams helped the Minnesota Vikings stay undefeated.

Myles Price returned a punt 86 yards for a score, Kyler Murray threw a 41-yard TD pass to Jordan Addison and the Vikings beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-16 on Sunday.

It was a costly game for both teams.

Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb on a desperation pass late in the fourth quarter. He was screaming in pain on the ground before walking off and was replaced by rookie Jalon Daniels in the final minute. Coach Todd Bowles said X-rays were negative, but Mayfield will have an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.

Two-time All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson didn’t return for Minnesota after injuring his right ankle in the first quarter. Coach Kevin O'Connell said Jefferson was close to returning but couldn't quite get the push-off he needed.

The Vikings are 3-0 for the second time in three years. The Buccaneers are 0-3 for the first time since 2014, when they finished 2-14 and got the No. 1 overall draft pick, taking Jameis Winston.

“We knew that was going to be an all-out, full team effort,” O'Connell said. “We have to get better in all three phases. I got to do a better job but to be 3-0, to have the type of support we had today from the fans, unbelievable to have that many in the house.”

Murray was 15 of 29 for 168 yards with one TD pass and one interception in his first full game with the Vikings. He sustained a concussion in the first quarter of the season opener and Carson Wentz led Minnesota to consecutive wins.

“There were some throws I missed. For my first my first full game since last October, I felt it started to slow down for me but, at the end of the day, offensively we just weren't on the same page,” Murray said.

Mayfield hasn’t played like a $55 million-a-year quarterback since the Buccaneers gave him a $165 million extension before the season. He was 17 of 34 for 217 yards with one TD and one interception, taking six sacks.

“I'm sure it looks bleak,” receiver Chris Godwin Jr. said. “It's not ideal. Definitely not the start we wanted and we never want to lose (Mayfield) but that's where we are right now and the reality is we have to pull ourselves out of this hole.”

Tampa Bay’s woeful offense couldn’t do much against coordinator Brian Flores’ defense.

Mayfield had an 85-yard touchdown pass to Godwin on third-and-30 negated by a holding penalty on Luke Goedeke in the third quarter.

That summed up the offense’s struggles.

Mayfield’s 14-yard scramble on second-and-9 later was negated by a holding penalty on Payne Durham. But the Bucs got a first down on third-and-29 when Joshua Metellus hit Emeka Egbuka helmet-to-helmet. Again, the offense had to settle for a field goal. Chase McLaughlin’s 54-yarder cut it to 17-16.

Will Reichard’s 56-yard field goal extended Minnesota’s lead to 20-16 with 3:10 remaining. He added a 43-yarder to cap the scoring.

Murray connected with Addison on a deep throw on third-and-8 to give the Vikings a 17-10 lead in the second quarter. Addison beat Jacob Parrish in one-on-one coverage, making a smooth adjustment on the ball.

After A’Shawn Robinson intercepted Murray’s pass to set up a first down at the Vikings 22 in the third quarter, the Bucs went nowhere. Bucky Irving ran 3 yards and then dropped a pass. Mayfield got sacked on third down and McLaughlin’s 38-yarder cut it to 17-13.

The Buccaneers fell behind 10-0 after just one possession. Following a three-and-out, Price darted up the middle, cut to the right and sprinted down the sideline for his first career touchdown.

Price said he had a dream earlier in the week that he scored on a return. Then he dreamed about it again while taking a pregame nap.

“It means everything,” Price said. “I'm so excited.”

It wasn't Minnesota's first punt return for a TD since 2016.

Mayfield fired a 40-yard TD pass down the seam to rookie Ted Hurst III to cut it to 10-7.

The Buccaneers had a first down at Minnesota’s 7 after Mayfield and Cade Otton connected on a 37-yard pass. But consecutive holding penalties on Cody Mauch and Graham Barton derailed the drive and McLaughlin kicked a 28-yard field goal to tie it.

Reichard has made 26 consecutive field goals, dating to last season.

Buccaneers left guard Ben Bredeson played against his younger brother, Vikings rookie fullback Max Bredeson. Their older brother, Jack, is the director of player information for the New York Mets. All three went to Michigan.

Vikings: Jefferson injured his right ankle when a defender fell on it. He walked to the locker room after watching a couple of series. ... P Brett Thorson (hamstring) was inactive. ... CB Charles Demmings left with a hamstring injury. ... TE Josh Oliver had a biceps injury.

Buccaneers: Edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (groin) and LB Josiah Trotter (shoulder) were inactive. ... WR Jalen McMillan left in the first quarter with a knee injury and didn't return.

Vikings: Host Miami next Sunday.

Buccaneers: Host Green Bay next Sunday.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) is tacked by Minnesota Vikings safety Joshua Metellus (44) during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a pass for a touchdown as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish (25) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) tries to catch an incomplete pass as Minnesota Vikings safety Joshua Metellus (44) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a pass for a touchdown as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish (25) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

HILO, Hawaii (AP) — Hurricane Nolo edged further away from the Hawaiian Islands on Sunday as major Hurricane Polo bore down on Mexico's southern Baja California peninsula with a threat of storm surge, high winds and heavy rains.

Nolo was well southwest of Hawaii and moving away from the Big Island as the weekend drew to a close. A high-wind warning, wind advisory and high surf advisory remained in effect for parts of the island through Sunday evening as Nolo’s maximum sustained winds increased to near 105 mph (165 kph).

Meanwhile, residents of Mexico's Baja California braced for the expected arrival Monday of Category 3 Nolo, which had top sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph) Sunday evening, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Heavy rainfall from Polo would begin impacting the peninsula overnight and could produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides.

Forecasters said Polo would hit the Mexican mainland after crossing Baja California and could bring heavy rain and flooding to parts of the U.S. Southwest later in the week. Polo was moving to the north at 12 mph (19 kph) about 270 miles (435 kilometers) west of Cabo San Lucas at the peninsula’s southern tip, the hurricane center said.

Forecasters said Nolo's outer bands could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, with parts of the Big Island possibly getting up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rain. Heavy rain also was expected on the other islands.

More than 120 National Guard members were activated, part of roughly 400 statewide after the governor issued an emergency proclamation. President Donald Trump recently approved an emergency declaration, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate assistance and provide funding support.

Hawaii residents are still recovering from Hurricane Lala, which produced heavy rain and winds strong enough to sweep about 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island.

In Naalehu, at the island’s southern point, Peggy McKibbin surveyed silt-covered roads from her four-wheeler Sunday and pointed out the lingering damage from Lala — a local bakery, fire station and hardware store wiped out.

“Everyone has been very much affected by this,” McKibbin said.

The Pacific has been unusually active, according to National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec, with storm activity running above average during what is already the peak of hurricane season. He said that pattern is consistent with El Niño years, when the Pacific often sees more tropical storms and hurricanes.

With Polo approaching Mexico, the Mexican navy said it had gathered personnel and humanitarian aid in the ports of Guaymas and Mazatlan, on the country's Pacific Coast, and deployed three vessels that could ship aid to coastal communities isolated by the storm.

One of the towns in the hurricane's projected path is San Juanico, a small fishing community on Baja’s Pacific coast. The town has only had full-time electricity for a few years, and still experiences frequent outages. There is concern that washed-out roads could block access to the closest medical facility.

“Our people are concerned about this event,” said Gloriely Robles Meza, a manager at a small hotel. “We haven’t faced such a worrying situation in many years.”

Robles Meza said Sunday that army soldiers arrived in San Juanico to prepare a shelter and provide support for possible emergencies.

Also Sunday, Tropical Storm Rachel formed well off Mexico's southwest coast. The hurricane center said Rachel had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was located about 300 miles (485 kilometers) south of Acapulco. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect.

Associated Press writers Christopher Weber in Los Angeles, Gabriela Aoun Angueira in San Diego, California, and Hannah Schoenbaum in Midway, Utah, contributed.

Fire Captain Lui Sales of the Hawaii Fire Department looks for residents to help as rainwater from nearby Hurricane Nolo flood a section of Mamalahoa highway Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, near Naalehu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Peggy McKibbin looks at where floodwaters from nearby Hurricane Nolo run past widespread damage from last month's Hurricane Lala Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Naalehu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A man rides with his son near where a home was destroyed during last month's Hurricane Lala, as floodwaters from Hurricane Nolo recedes Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Naalehu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Peggy McKibbin looks at where floodwaters from nearby Hurricane Nolo run past widespread damage from last month's Hurricane Lala Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Naalehu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A sign announces that a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles has been cancelled due to inclement weather, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Peggy McKibbin looks at where floodwaters from nearby Hurricane Nolo run past widespread damage from last month's Hurricane Lala Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Naalehu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

This satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows hurricanes and tropical disturbances in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via AP)

A member of Hawaii Army National guard removes a ladder from a vehicle as rainwater from nearby Hurricane Nolo floods a section of Mamalahoa highway Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, near Naalehu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Fire Captain Lui Sales of the Hawaii Fire Department looks for residents to help as rainwater from nearby Hurricane Nolo flood a section of Mamalahoa highway Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, near Naalehu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A lifeguard walks back to his tower after adjusting a beach closure sign as Hurricane Nolo sits nearby Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Hilo, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Members of the Hawaii Army National Guard help a resident leave his home as rainwater from nearby Hurricane Nolo floods a section of Mamalahoa highway Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, near Naalehu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Kenzielynn Kekoa, center, of Hilo, Hawaii, helps her family fill sand bags as Hurricane Nolo approaches in Hilo, Hawaii, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)