After back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs before the Bucs went into their Week 13 bye week, dropping both contests 27-24, Tampa Bay bounced back with a much-needed 26-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
After both teams exchanged punts to open the game, Minnesota would strike first with a short rushing touchdown from running back Dalvin Cook after moving down the field with relative ease on a 14-play, 84-yard drive but would settle for six after the missed extra point from kicker Dan Bailey. Bailey’s missed extra point would provide foreshadowing for a disastrous remainder of the day in which the 10-year veteran would go on to miss three more kicks, all field goal attempts. Tampa Bay would respond with 23 unanswered points of their own by way of a Ryan Succop field goal and touchdowns from Scotty Miller, Ronald Jones II and Rob Gronkowski. Quarterback Kirk Cousins would keep the Vikings’ hopes alive late with a touchdown pass to tight end Irv Smith Jr. in the fourth quarter, cutting the Bucs’ lead to 23-14. But Tampa Bay would add another field goal of their own and thwart a last-ditch effort from Minnesota with a strip sack from Jason Pierre-Paul, the Bucs’ sixth sack of the afternoon, with just over two minutes remaining.
Moving to 8-5 with a win on Sunday, the Bucs remain firmly in the NFC playoff picture as the sixth seed, above the Cardinals and Vikings and behind the 8-5 Seahawks as Seattle prepares to take on the New York Jets in Week 14.
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About the Author: Taylor Jenkins
Is shaq back?
Decent game with some luck involved, though the defense stepped up when they had too. I also noticed more motions on offense than I think they had in the first 12 games combined. At least some things were improved during the bye week. Sure is nice to have a fairly reliable kicker for a change.
Yeah. Compared to theirs. Vikings having a hard time with their kicker. Our Kickers are pretty solid, all around. That might come in handy in the play-offs
The harder you play the luckier you get..
Definitely left some plays on the field but this was a good win. The defense stepped up with some serious pressure from the dline and Jefferson and Theilen were barely heard from. There was certainly more motion and Brady missed a few wide open shots which were unlike him. Good win and a major major step towards the playoffs.
I think the “what’s worse offense or defense” poll is over. This D was scary bad first half especially. We were lucky to win if you ask me.
The defense got dominated but they made some big plays when they had to. People may ask why the offense didn’t do as much but it’s hard when possession was 39 minutes to 21.
I agree. But a win is a win. We are so far from the 5 and 11 team we started with two yrs ago, and Brady has held up better than I figured.
Where was the “no risk it no biscuit” offense in the 4th quarter? There were at least 4 times when they could have gone play action on 1st down and they chose to run the ball instead. And it doesn’t have to be a 30 yard pass but something for 10 yards or so just to keep the defense on its heels.
I don’t get Arians and Lefty. I found the offense just as predictable as before, running between the tackles on 1st down 90% of the time and throwing in obvious passing downs.
When you have a big lead in the fourth, you run the ball and eat up clock. No need to risk it. You already have the damned biscuit.
I believe, and someone correct me if I’m wrong, but we only passed twice on first down. Once was a play action 20 yard completion to Evans and the second was on a first and 15 after a motion penalty. How much are we paying Lefto for this imagination. Good grief.
Shout out to our Defensive Line and our Linebackers. They took some hits but kept coming..Bringing the pressure. Yes, I feel sorry for the Vikes kicker. Because we have had our share of bad kickers. Remember Roberto? And it felt really good seeing Mr. Cousins go down a few times. How you like that sir?!!!
Great Win. Sloppy as hell, But we got it done. We should have clear sailing for the rest of the Season. !0 and 6 or 11 and 5 sounds awfully good.
Decisive win. Brady missed some open throws early before he got comfortable and the scheme continues to be a headache. Best offensive sequence of the game was the scoring drive to open the second half. It was the only drive where I felt the execution and the play calling matched perfectly. Best defensive sequence was the sacks at the goal line when the Vikings threatened to make it a game. I don’t think I saw much to hope the Bucs have turned over a new leaf. I do think they are continuing to prove that while they may not deserve… Read more »
Actually, the scheme did seem a bit different. Brady didn’t seem to be going deep constantly. Defense let Vikings nickel and dime them down the field but virtually no big plays and when they needed sacks they got them.
Team is best when it doesn’t go deep outside of the occasional opportunity or play action pass. Definitely had some big sacks at big moments.
Ok- first and foremost- a W is a W and we will take it! Defense scares me though- the Vikings seemed to move the ball at will most of the game and were their own worst enemy. The soft coverage crap still gets me though they did take Jefferson out of the game for the most part. If Brady hits Godwin middle of the field on that third down- its a huge play if not a TD because both DBs were going opposite way at the time and Brady had good pass protection on that play as well. The Gronk… Read more »
1st and 5th are the best seeds in the NFC.
Thank god Fournette was on the inactive list. The ghost of Shady has risen. Caught the Vikings totally flat foot.
The title says it all, this was a nice bounce back game for the Bucs. To me this game belongs to the pass rushing provided by the D-linemen and OLB’s. They got 6 sacks and some of them came in key situations at the end of the game when it counted most. Great job getting the win at home. Go Bucs!
Good day, we needed this game more phscychologically than anything.
Sweet! The must win happene. Congrats! Go Bucs! Now on to Atlanta for another must win
Agree Horse… Bucs won a game they had to have… it wasn’t pretty at times. Still don’t understand the slow starts??? It’s always nice if u can get the win without playing ur best ball. Great win against an opponent who faced a must win themselves!