Buccaneers fall to 0-3 with loss to Vikings, as Baker Mayfield injures thumb and Todd Bowles' seat gets hotter

A few coaches were on early hot-seat watch after just a couple games.

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen helped himself with a win over the Houston Texans . As did Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn with an upset victory over the Seattle Seahawks .

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 0-3 after a home loss to the Minnesota Vikings , and it might have cost them more than just another lost game. On Baker Mayfield 's final pass — an interception after he scrambled on fourth down in the final two minutes — he stayed down on the field injured.

Mayfield was holding his right hand in obvious pain after it was hit on the follow through of his pass. When he walked off the field, he held his hand until he got to the sideline. Mayfield went straight back to the locker room even though there was a chance for Tampa Bay to get the ball back. Bowles said Mayfield had a dislocated thumb and will get an MRI on Monday, via Jenna Laine of ESPN .

And the Buccaneers did get it back after a field goal. Undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels replaced Mayfield for the final 28 seconds. Daniels threw an interception on a Hail Mary and the Vikings held on for a 23-16 win.

If Mayfield misses time, it makes it even harder for Bowles and the Bucs to dig out of their hole. The Bucs are a highly disappointing 2-10 in their past 12 games going back to last season. And once again, the Bucs had the look of a team that is not playing anywhere near its talent level.

Sunday's loss had more sloppy mistakes that have become the norm for the Bucs under Bowles. They gave up an 86-yard punt return TD to fall behind 10-0. A 41-yard touchdown catch by Jordan Addison gave Minnesota a 17-10 lead. A holding penalty wiped out an amazing 85-yard touchdown by Chris Godwin Jr.

After the Buccaneers got an fortunate unnecessary roughness call on a third down, Mayfield and Bucky Irving ran into each other on a handoff for a 6-yard loss and Tampa Bay had to settle for a field goal on that drive. Their entire offense was unprepared to do anything against the Vikings' constant blitzes, including on the final fourth-and-13 when Mayfield had to retreat under pressure and throw a desperation pass that had no shot.

The Buccaneers had a great shot to win because the Vikings' offense wasn't capable of putting the game away. Kyler Murray , returning to the lineup for the first time since suffering a concussion early in the season opener, was ineffective. He completed just eight of his first 21 passes.

Justin Jefferson left the game early with an ankle injury and that didn't help, but overall the Vikings offense had plenty of issues. Over one 10-possession stretch they punted eight times and threw an interception, a ball that was batted at the line by Vita Vea and ended up being hauled in by A'Shawn Robinson.

But the Vikings got the win. They're 3-0. The Buccaneers are on the opposite end at 0-3. And if it doesn't turn around fast — it's unlikely to if an undrafted free agent quarterback has to start games in place of Mayfield — the Buccaneers could be having to ask some tough questions about their head coach.