MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings went end zone to end zone in a total of seven plays in the second quarter to take control against the Buccaneers in a 34-17 win on Sunday.
Trae Waynes intercepted Jameis Winston in the west end zone on a long pass intended for DeSean Jackson, and the Vikings followed with a 92-yard, six-play touchdown drive that featured passes of 47 and 17 yards by Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs.
The interception by Waynes was one of three thrown by Winston and one of two that the Vikings picked off in the purple paint. Andrew Sendejo returned a nabbed pass 36 yards to the Tampa Bay 35-yard line to set up a field goal, and Harrison Smith reeled in a deflection a yard into the end zone.
Keenum, who was making his second start in place of Sam Bradford and Vikings home debut, perfectly placed the ball on a corner route, allowing Diggs to high point the football against single coverage for a 21-3 lead with 47 seconds remaining.
Keenum completed 25 of 33 passes for a career-high 369 yards and three touchdowns for a passer rating of 142.1 and improved to 3-0 in his career against Tampa Bay.
Diggs totaled 173 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions, setting a new Vikings record for receiving yards in a game against the Bucs. Adam Thielen added 98 yards on five receptions, and Jarius Wright caught a 2-yard touchdown pass.
Diggs also broke free of a tackle for a 59-yard touchdown in the third quarter to put Minnesota up 28-3.
Dalvin Cook rushed 27 times for 97 yards and his first career touchdown. He started faster than in his first two games and helped Minnesota close it out with a 36-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
The Vikings opened their first possession with runs of 6 and 4 by Cook and quickly took a shot downfield when Keenum targeted Thielen, who won a 1-on-1 matchup against Vernon Hargreaves III for a gain of 45.
The drive also included a 16-yard gain on a short pass to Cook, who capped the possession with a 1-yard dive for his first career touchdown.
In addition to the three interceptions, Minnesota's defense sacked Winston twice. Everson Griffen recorded his 52nd career QB takedown, and Shamar Stephen recorded the first of his career.
Winston finished 28-for-40 passing with 328 yards, two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 80.0.
As a previous member of the Rams, Keenum recorded wins against the Bucs in each of the past two seasons, totaling 424 yards, four touchdowns and a passer rating of 118.8.
The Vikings outgained the Bucs 494 net yards to 342, including 125 rushing yards to 26.
Up Next: The Vikings host the Detroit Lions at noon (CT) next Sunday.
View game action images as the Vikings take on the Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday.
