Buccs Jump Back Into NFC Playoff Contention To Avoid 2-5 Hole.
For the first game of week 8 action in the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveled way up north to play the Minnesota Vikings in a must win game if they wanted a legitimate shot at making it the Playoffs as a wildcard in an inconsistent NFC with teams showing their true colors with season progressing.
The Vikings were fresh from their “upset” victory Sunday over the free-falling Arizona Cardinals now 4-3 after starting the season off undefeated at 4-0. Unlike the major sports networks and sites, we’re for certain that wasn’t an upset and the Cardinals have really become ass after losing to the Buffalo Bills (extremely funny).
Starting things off in the first quarter, the Buccaneers would start things off on their second possession of the game getting a FG by Connor Barth from 28 back to take the lead. After a quick 3-and-out from the Vikings, Tampa Bay would take advantage with Josh Freeman would cap off a 5-minute 48 yard drive throwing his first TD of the game to Erik Lorig to make increase the score to 10-0.
As Christian Ponder continued to struggle finding his passing game, Jerome Simpson wouldn’t make things any better by fumbling the ball on the TB 46. Connor Barth would capitalize getting his 2nd FG of the game this time from 40 to give the Buccs a 13-0 lead. On the next ensuing Vikings possession, Christian Ponder would finally get the ball moving down the field for Minnesota as he connected with Percy Harvin for a 18-yard TD pass to finish off a 80 yard drive barely elapsing over 2 and a half minutes.
Tampa Bay would follow through with a quick 3-and-out but would be saved from a fumble from Adrian Peterson recovered by Quincy Black at the Vikings 37. Josh Freeman would follow-up with another TD pass this time to Mike Williams to increase their lead back to 13. Before the end of the half, Blair Walsh would a 51-yard FG to make the score 20-10.
Skipping to the 2nd half, Josh Freeman would start the half with a deep pass to Doug Martin for a 64-yard TD to increase the lead to 17. The Vikings would become victim of another 3-and-out once more as Connor Barth would proceed with another FG from 38, his third of the game to give Tampa Bay their largest lead of the game at 20.
On the next ensuing Vikings possession, Christian Ponder would start off with another incomplete pass (no surprise here); but on the next down Adrian Peterson would rush one back for 64-yard to give the Vikings one shot at winning but it wouldn’t be enough as Doug Martin ran for a TD midway through the 4h to make it a 19 point lead putting finishing touches on this victory.
Both teams get the weekend off to prepare for week 9 as Tampa Bay travels to Oakland for a favorable game then down to southern cal to play the Chargers the week after. Things don’t get easier from here on out with the Vikings as they travel to Seattle next Sunday with Detroit to follow, but after a bye week they finish the season playing Chicago and Green Bay twice and at Houston and St. Louis.