Vikings @ Buccaneers: The Next "Biggest Game of the Year"

by Christopher Gates on Nov 13, 2008 7:14 PM CST in Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings, fresh off of getting one monkey off of their backs after defeating the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. . .and, yes, contrary to all the whining you hear, the Vikings won and deserved to win. . .the Vikings now have to try to get another one off their backs this weekend as they travel to Tampa Bay. The Vikings have an interesting history against their former NFC Central division rivals.

The monkey comes from the fact that home field advantage has been absolutely huge in this series over the course of the last decade. Prior to their victory in the 2005 season opener in Minneapolis, the Bucs last victory in Minneapolis came back in 1997. Surprisingly, that's also the last season that the Beloved Purple won down in Tampa as well. Even during Minnesota's magical 1998 season, they couldn't conquer their central Floridian demons, losing 27-24 in Tampa. The Bucs also currently have a three-game winning streak in this series, dating back to 2001.

Right now, the Bucs sit tied with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South at 6-3, one game behind 7-2 Carolina. Tampa Bay has been winning the way that we've become accustomed to seeing. . .with solid, but not spectacular, offense (their 22.2 points/game average is good for 16th in the NFL. . .just behind Minnesota's 23.3 points/game, which is 14th) and outstanding defense (the Bucs are currently 4th in the league in points allowed/game with 16.3 and 7th in total yardage allowed). They've been especially tough at home, where they've yet to lose. In the process of going 4-0 at home, they've held opponents to 69 rushing yards/game and 10.8 points.

The former is bad news for a Vikings team that has been on a roll rushing the football over the past month. Adrian Peterson has been averaging 140.1 rushing yards per game over the last four games, the Vikings have gotten an increase in production from Chester Taylor, and as a result the passing offense has gotten better with Gus Frerotte at quarterback. However, for the Vikings to have a shot this weekend, #12 can't be throwing the ball to Buccaneer defenders at the same rate he was throwing it to Green Bay defenders this past weekend. . .largely because Tampa Bay's defense actually has the ability to stop (or at least slow down) Minnesota's running game.

This is going to be an interesting game for the Beloved Purple, and one that they're going to need as they start a tough run of four road games in the last five weeks. Hopefully monkey-killing season will continue for Minnesota, but if that's going to be the case, the Vikings are going to have to put their best effort forward against Tampa Bay.

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I see dead pirates…statement game…time to do something…playoffs start here.

AP's record day, 296 in a single game.

by da2213viking on Nov 13, 2008 9:58 PM CST reply actions

This game is a big one.

If we could even just win 2 out of the next 3 before the lions, we’ll be sitting okay. I think the Vikes’ success will come largely from big plays on defense and a heavy pass rush. Let’s all pray for some more Antoine Winfield magic, huh?

I’m so pissed, I don’t think I’ll be able to watch this game! I live in Omaha (they’re going to broadcast the packers-bears game on fox) and my other Vikings fan friend is the one with the car so I have no idea how I’m going to see it. If I have to do frickin’ gametrack like I did for the Indianapolis game, I’ll be pissed. Anyone have any magical solutions?

by skiumah06 on Nov 14, 2008 1:27 AM CST reply actions

Online NFL Games

Try SopCast.org or www.channelsurfing.net to see if one of them will have the game. When all else fails find a sports bar with NFL Sunday Ticket. I live in Virginia and always get the Redskins as broadcast game (uggghhhh). Had to get Sunday Ticket. Love it.

by Stubby83 on Nov 14, 2008 5:22 AM CST up reply actions

Direct TV Vs Bar Hopping

I too live in Northern VA and compared the cost of NFL Ticket to stopping by the local watering hole. I’ve found that its a better deal to go to the pub and watch the game. Going to the pub provides the following.

-approx $25.00 – $30.00 gets you the game, food, beverage (2 if we lose)
-meeting new people and old friends
-instant feedback/updates on other games (cheers and groans from other fans at nearby tables)
-a chance to get out of the house for a few hours.
-no risk of missing the game due to blackout.

Several games are nationally televised and do not require the ticket (I was able to watch this past Sundays Packers/Vikes game on regular TV because the Redskins weren’t playing).

by diok9 on Nov 14, 2008 9:40 AM CST up reply actions

Try this

Without fail stoogetv.com will have links on gameday and you can watch it on the internet for free. This is how I watch every weekend due to living in Chicago.

by Nefarien on Nov 14, 2008 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

Diok9

Hit Summers in Arlington. Ask the bartender for a “Purple Jesus.” I’m not sure what he puts in there, but they go down smooth!

by JasonAve6413 on Nov 15, 2008 6:25 PM CST up reply actions

Omaha is out of luck.

You get treated to the Packers/Bears game instead on Sunday. Bookmark this page, it tells you which games are being played all over the country with an easy color-coded map: http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/. So it looks like it’s either Sunday Ticket or a bar for you.

by Eric J. Thompson on Nov 14, 2008 9:39 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks guys

for all the suggestions. I will try the websites. I knew they were showing the Bears-Pack on Fox this Sunday. The problem with going to a bar or buffalo wild wings is that I am a college student without a car. Most of the other guys are hungover from the night before so they don’t wanna bring me to BW’s just to sit and watch a game they have no interest in. Oh well, I’ll try the sites. Thanks.

by skiumah06 on Nov 15, 2008 2:49 AM CST reply actions