Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday, November 16, 2008

*Buccaneers sink Vikings to stay perfect at home*

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Jeff Garcia threw for 255 yards, Matt Bryant kicked four field goals and B.J. Askew added a 1-yard touchdown run as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 19-13, on Sunday.

The win kept the Bucs (7-3) a game behind Carolina (8-2) in the race in the NFC South. The Vikings (5-5) fell into a three-way tie with Chicago (5-5) and Green Bay (5-5) for the NFC North lead.

The Bucs rallied from a 13-6 halftime deficit to improve to 5-0 at home.

"It's sort of opening up right now," Bucs wide receiver Michael Clayton said. "We have to stay the course as a team playing one game at a time. We fought hard all season and we haven't let distractions creep in and it's real important that we just keep this mind-set and roll this thing out for the rest of the season."

Askew's 1-yard run on the opening drive of the second half pulled the Bucs even at 13-13. It was Askew's first career touchdown.

"I wouldn't necessarily say it was a reward, my job is to block," Askew said. "Anytime you get to score a touchdown and put the ball in my hands, I love it."

With 5:36 remaining in the contest, Bryant's 29-yard field goal gave the Bucs a 16-13 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Maurice Hicks fumbled and Brian Clark recovered at the Minnesota 26. It set up Bryant's fourth field goal, from 26 yards, with 3:30 remaining for the 19-13 cushion.

The Vikings failed to get a first down on their next possession from their 20, setting up Bryant's fifth field goal attempt. However, Bryant was wide right from 46 yards with 1:55 remaining, giving the Vikings a final chance.

"We knew we would have to come down here and play error-free football," Minnesota coach Brad Childress said. "The last 12 games, those guys are 10-2 down here, they've got 21 takeaways and we knew we weren't going to be able to do that."

Minnesota's comeback hopes ended with 1:14 remaining when Ronde Barber recovered Chester Taylor's fumble at the Vikings 28.

"Our defense was great down the stretch," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said. "I also liked how our offense moved the ball to open the third quarter. We beat a hot Minnesota Viking team and we needed this win."

Adrian Peterson, who entered the game leading the NFL in rushing, had 19 carries for 85 yards.

"It's great," Bucs defensive tackle Chris Hovan said. "An NFC team, the first-place team in the North that came out with a stud running back and a high-powered offense. We know we had to shot them down. We shut them down and all of a sudden we get the pass rush going and five sacks later we came out with the win."

Garcia finished 23-of-30 with no interceptions or touchdowns. Warrick Dunn got the bulk of work after Earnest Graham suffered an ankle injury on the first series, carrying 20 times for 53 yards.

"Any running back relishes that opportunity and it was tough because I haven't really played a lot in the last few weeks, so I had to get a feel for the game again," Dunn said. "It was just stepping up for the team. It is important if a guy goes down, the other guy comes in and steps up."

Tight end Jeremy Stevens led all receivers with six catches for 84 yards.

"They did everything," Minnesota defensive end Ray Edwards said. "Garcia was mobile and passing the ball pretty good, dinking and dunking, making five-yard throws and getting yards after the catch. That's what happened."

Gus Frerotte was 14-of-20 for 137 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Wade in the second quarter that spotted the Vikings a 10-3 lead.

Bryant kicked field goals of 39, 26, 29 and 26 yards.

"It (the game) played like crap because we lost the game," Vikings defensive end Jared Allen said. "We had two opportunities to win it at the end and we didn't capitalize. We just let it slip away from us. The only positive is Green Bay beat Chicago so we're still tied for first in the division, so you know it's anybody's game."