The Bucs are at Minnesota in Week 2, the site of Super Bowl 52 in February.
"The goal is, this is the goal: Go up there, test out the field for when we go back [for the Super Bowl]," said defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
"Everybody who plays Minnesota, I tell you, that's what their mindset is. Play in Minnesota and do everything in your power to try to get back to Minnesota."
McCoy can't think about the Super Bowl just yet. He is focused on week two.
The Vikings starting quarterback’s been up in the air all week.
For McCoy, it doesn’t matter who he sacks
"The ball is going to the quarterback," said McCoy. "Whoever is holding it, it’s my job to get to him."
"I don’t really care. We're going to prepare for the scheme, and whoever is holding that ball on Sunday it's my job to go get him. That's all I'm going to do."
Minnesota starter Sam Bradford is day to day with a knee injury.
Back-up Case Keenum has beaten the Bucs and Jameis Winston the last two years in a row, while with the Rams.
"We have to prepare like Sam Bradford’s going to play," said defensive coordinator Mike Smith. "If we don’t see him, the guy that’s going to be playing, we played him last year and we didn’t perform as well as we needed to. There will be some motivation on our part."
Speaking of motivation, Vikings rookie Dalvin Cook will have a ton. FSU’s all-time leading rusher, once thought to be high on the Bucs draft board fell to the 2nd round. Tampa Bay passed and chose TE O.J. Howard with the 19th overall pick.
"Any player with a chip on their shoulder is the most dangerous guy on the field cause you’ve got something to prove not only to other, but to yourself," said Bucs defensive end Will Gholston. "So, I like it. I love challenges."
"It’s not about where you get picked," said McCoy. "It’s about what you do once you get picked."
"Personally he has a chip, but Dalvin run like that period," said Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston, who played with Cook at Florida State in 2014. "He’s gonna tote that rock. It don’t matter if he got picked number one or got picked as Mr. Irrelevant."
But he is far from Irrelevant. Cook’s proven himself quickly. He is third in the NFL in rushing with 191 yards.
"He’s a game wrecker," said Smith. "He’s already had two runs of 30 yards or more. All you gotta do is show that clip to the team and they got respect for him."
"He can wreck your game," said McCoy.
"He’s not a run and get out of bounds guy. He’s a get that extra couple yards guy. Anybody like that, you gotta bring your big boy pads with. Bring an extra set of pads because it’s gonna be a physical day."