MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-5)	WK 8	TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-5)
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-Thou shalt not link illegal feeds of today's game, or I shall kick thy arse to the curb until the game is over. Do not promote then, do not mention them, do not even hint at them. Thou hast been warned.

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-Basically, thou shalt not be a jackwagon in the game thread.

We are finally back and ready to go for Minnesota Vikings football in Week 8 of the 2014 NFL season, as they will be taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers down in central Florida. There appears to be a strong Daily Norseman contingent heading to Raymond James Stadium for this one, so hopefully they can help push the Vikings to a victory.

What can the Vikings do to get a victory?

1) Protect Teddy Bridgewater - Yeah, this is probably going to be the top thing on the list until the Vikings show that they can actually keep their rookie signal caller upright. Bridgewater has absorbed 13 sacks in the past two weeks against two very good defensive fronts. The Buccaneers have had issues getting to the quarterback so far this year, having picked up just nine sacks in their first six games this season. If the Vikings can't keep their quarterback protected in this one, it's going to be a pretty long rest of the season for this offense.

2) Get off to a good start - The Vikings started strong on defense last week in Buffalo after getting whipped on opening drives in their previous games. The Buccaneers have been very slow starters on offense this season, averaging just 4.5 points in the first half of their six games this year (three touchdowns, two field goals in 35 first-half possessions). If the Vikings can get out to an early lead, they can start getting after quarterback Mike Glennon, who will start again today in place of Josh McCown. Hopefully the Vikings can get some early momentum and ride it to a victory.

3) Feed Jerick McKinnon - McKinnon had a great game last week against Buffalo's top-ranked rush defense. Tampa Bay has had some issues against the run, ranking 25th in the NFL in that category. If the Vikings can get some things going early with McKinnon, it will force the Buccaneers to commit more players to stopping the run and open things up for the passing game, where the Buccaneers are the NFL's worst.

We're less than an hour away from game time in Tampa. Hopefully the Vikings can get a victory in this one and get something going heading into the second half of their season.

SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!