The 2023 season is almost officially upon us, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gearing up for their Week 1 bout against the Minnesota Vikings.

Tampa has a lot stacked against them this season, but that doesn't mean that a win against the Vikings is out of the question.

Here are the players on the Vikings that the Bucs will need to focus on if they want to start the year 1-0.

1. Justin Jefferson 

The Buccaneers may have a very good defense when it is all said and done, but Tampa doesn't really have an answer for a player on Jefferson's level.

Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, and the rest of the secondary are going to have their hands full from the opening whistle.

It doesn't matter how much Todd Bowles does to stop Jefferson, that is essentially out of the question. However, slowing Jefferson down will be vital if the Bucs want to pull off a win.

2. Kirk Cousins 

Cousins has quietly put together some very good seasons over the past few years with the Vikings.

Many of the talk shows may ignore this success, but Bucs fans know not to ever underestimate an opposing quarterback.

If Bowles and the defense can't slow this Viking offense down, it seems hard to imagine a win on the horizon with Tampa's inability to score at will.

3. Danielle Hunter

Much like the rest of this Vikings roster, Hunter has been sneaky-dominant when healthy for a while now. 

If the Buccaneers and their new offensive line can't find a way to shut Hunter down, this game could be over before it truly starts.

A long day for Baker Mayfield won't be a good day for Bucs fans. Tampa needs to plan accordingly.

Analysts have prediction Buccaneers fans will hate

It is going to be tough.