Scouting report BUCCANEERS AT VIKINGS
Noon Sunday • U.S. Bank Stadium • TV: Ch. 9 • Radio: 100.3-FM, 1130-AM
About the BUCCANEERS (1-0)
• The Bucs jumped out to a 26-0 halftime lead against the Bears and soundly defeated the Vikings' NFC North rival 29-7 in Tampa Bay's season opener Sunday.
• Quarterback Jameis Winston started his third NFL season with a 91.5 QB rating against the Bears, throwing for 204 yards and a touchdown on 18-for-30 passing.
• The touchdown and 93 yards went to a gargantuan target in 6-5 receiver Mike Evans, who is coming off a career-best 1,321 receiving yards last season.
• Tampa Bay's defense stole the show, and the football, against Chicago. The Bucs notched four takeaways (two interceptions, two fumbles) by beating up Bears quarterback Mike Glennon, who was hit eight times and committed three turnovers.
PLAYER TO WATCH | DT GERALD MCCOY
• McCoy, the third-overall pick in 2010 out of Oklahoma, has lived up to his potential as a disruptive force in the middle of Tampa Bay's defensive line.
• Half of the Buccaneers' eight hits on Glennon in last week's victory came from McCoy, who at 6-4 and 300 pounds can get after the quarterback with the best of them. McCoy's 42.5 sacks rank fifth among all NFL defensive tackles since he entered the league.
• He's been named to five consecutive Pro Bowls and is a three-time first-team All-Pro.
• Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on McCoy: "He's big, powerful, quick, great first-step quickness. He gets off the ball and goes. He wreaks a lot of havoc."