Minnesota Vikings @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers preview

Vikings face Bucs on Sunday @ 1 pm on FOX

The Vikings (5-4) take their first of two straight trips to Florida this week, as they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3). This stands to be a key game in the NFC playoff picture down the road, as both teams are still in contention and whoever wins would hold a tiebreaker over the other.

The Vikings are on a two-game winning streak after beating the Green Bay Packers 28-27 at home in Week 10. In that game, RB Adrian Peterson became the first 1,000 rusher in the league this season as he had 192 rushing yards against the Packers. He and the entire Minnesota offense will face a stern test this week against a tough Tampa Bay defense. QB Gus Frerotte will have to take care of the ball better then he has at times this season if the Vikings are going to have a good chance to win. WR Bernard Berrian could be a key player this week after being held without a catch last week.

Defensively, the Vikings will be challenged by a fairly balanced Tampa Bay offense. QB Jeff Garcia is a savvy veteran who isn’t flashy but doesn’t make many mistakes and his top target, WR Antonio Bryant has 45 receptions this season and has at least six catches in three straight games. The Buccaneers activated RB Carnell “Cadillac” Williams off the physically-unable-to-perform list this week, but his playing time may be limited this week. RB Earnest Graham is dealing with a knee injury, so veteran RB Warrick Dunn could see a lot of playing time if Graham is limited or can’t play at all.

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The Vikings could find themselves alone in first place in the NFC North if they win and Green Bay beats Chicago this week.

By Brad Berreman
ProFootball-fans.com Minnesota Vikings Correspondent