Jeff Garcia didn’t give Adrian Peterson a chance to beat the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Garcia threw for 255 yards without an interception and scrambled for two first
downs on a time-consuming go-ahead field goal drive in the fourth quarter,
helping the Bucs defeat the Minnesota Vikings 19-13 on Sunday.
Peterson ran for 85 yards on 19 carries through three quarters, but his bid for
a fifth consecutive 100-yard game fell short when the Vikings ran just eight
plays—none of them runs by the NFL’s leading rusher—in the fourth quarter.
Garcia, who completed 23 of 30 passes, was the main reason. He moved the Bucs 69
yards in 13 plays, burning nearly nine minutes off the clock to take a 16-13
lead on Matt Bryant’s third field goal of the game.
Minnesota fumbled on the ensuing kickoff, Tampa Bay (7-3) recovered and Bryant
added his fourth field goal for a six-point lead with 3:30 to go. The Vikings
(5-5) had two opportunities to put together a game-winning drive, but turned the
ball over on downs with 2:24 left and lost a fumble on their final possession.
Bryant had field goals of 39, 26, 29 and 26 yards, and B.J. Askew scored the
Bucs’ lone touchdown on a 1-yard run in the third quarter. Gus Frerotte threw a
3-yard TD pass to Bobby Wade and Ryan Longwell kicked field goals of 43 and 37
yards in the first half for Minnesota...more
Scoring Summary
MIN - TB
1st Quarter
6:53
MIN
FG
Ryan Longwell kicked a 43-yard field goal
3 - 0
2:48
TB
FG
Matt Bryant kicked a 39-yard field goal
3 - 3
2nd Quarter
13:33
MIN
TD
Gus Frerotte passed to Bobby Wade to the right for 4
yard gain (Ryan Longwell made PAT)
10 - 3
7:48
TB
FG
Matt Bryant kicked a 26-yard field goal
10 - 6
1:47
MIN
FG
Ryan Longwell kicked a 37-yard field goal
13 - 6
3rd Quarter
9:25
TB
TD
B.J. Askew rushed up the middle for 1 yard gain (Matt
Bryant made PAT)
13 - 13
4th Quarter
5:36
TB
FG
Matt Bryant kicked a 29-yard field goal
13 - 16
3:30
TB
FG
Matt Bryant kicked a 26-yard field goal
13 - 19
Team Statistics
MIN
TB
First Downs
12
18
Passing
8
9
Rushing
4
9
Penalty
0
0
Third Down Efficiency
5-12
5-11
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-2
0-1
TOTAL NET YARDS
210
363
Total Plays
52
64
Average Gain Per Play
4.0
5.7
NET YARDS RUSHING
99
108
Rushes
26
33
Average Per Rush
3.8
3.3
NET YARDS PASSING
111
255
Completions-Attempts
14-21
23-30
Yards Per Pass Play
4.3
8.2
Times Sacked
5
1
Yards Lost to Sacks
27
0
Had Intercepted
0
0
PUNTS
2
1
Average Punt
45.0
37.0
PENALTIES
5
5
Penalty Yards
28
54
FUMBLES
3
1
Fumbles Lost
2
1
TIME OF POSSESSION
26:11
33:49
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
Adrian Peterson has led
the Minnesota Vikings into a
share of first place. Keeping
them there won't be easy in
Tampa Bay. Coming off his best
rushing day of the season,
Peterson looks to help the
Vikings maintain their momentum
Sunday by getting their first
win at Raymond James Stadium and
handing the Buccaneers their
first home loss of the year.
Minnesota (5-4) is trying for
its third straight victory and
fifth in six games after winning
a key division matchup last
Sunday...more
Prediction: Carnell (Cadillac) Williams should inspire his
Bucs as he returns from a career-threatening knee
injury. On the other side of the ball it could be a
long day for the Vikes offence against a stingy
Tampa D. If the Bucs slow Adrian Peterson, it
doesn't bode well for picking up points with
Gus Frerotte at the helm. This will be a good indicator
game for the Vikings, who have won
four in a row. It will also be a good test for the Tampa Bay
defense, can the Bucs stop Adrian Peterson, who put 192 rushing
last week. Buccaneers 27 - Vikings 21
Video Preview: Both the
Vikings and Buccaneers are fighting for first place in their respective
divisions. Which team will come out on top when the two meet? Charley Casserly
and Jason Horowitz have the preview
18.8
19.0