After the Bucs defense was torched by the Saints on Sunday, the Vikings present a better matchup despite their 5-2 record. Running back Adrian Peterson appears recovered from last season's torn ACL and MCL, and second-year quarterback Christian Ponder is improved. But the Bucs have been stout against the run, and Ponder doesn't present nearly the challenge that Drew Brees did.
Vikings' top offensive player
Adrian Peterson ran for 153 yards in Sunday's win against Arizona. His comeback from the torn ligaments sustained Dec. 24 is one of the league's biggest stories this season.
Vikings' top defensive player
End Jared Allen had 22 sacks in 2011 — one-half off the record — and already has six in 2012. Against Detroit on Sept. 30, he had seven QB pressures.
What the Vikings do best
Run a balanced offense. Percy Harvin, left, gives them a big-play threat, but Adrian Peterson's running keeps teams honest.
How you beat the Vikings
Convert on third down. The Vikings have allowed opponents to convert 43.7 percent of third downs, 24th in the league. There's an opportunity to keep the Vikings offense on the sideline and the Bucs defense fresh.
Bucs must avoid …
Coverage mistakes like they had against the Giants and Saints. The Vikings don't throw as much as those teams, but the Bucs secondary, missing cornerback Aqib Talib, is a bit thin.
Projected starters
BUCS OFFENSE
WR: Vincent Jackson
LT: Donald Penn
LG: Carl Nicks
C: Jeremy Zuttah
RG: Jamon Meredith
RT: Demar Dotson
TE: Dallas Clark
WR: Mike Williams
QB: Josh Freeman
RB: Doug Martin
FB: Erik Lorig
DEFENSE
LDE: Michael Bennett
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: Roy Miller
RDE: Daniel
Te'o-Nesheim
SLB: Quincy Black
MLB: Mason Foster
WLB: Lavonte David
CB: E.J. Biggers
CB: Eric Wright
SS: Mark Barron
FS: Ronde Barber
special teams
PR: Roscoe Parrish
KR: Arrelious Benn
PK: Connor Barth
P/KO: Michael Koenen
Vikings OFFENSE
WR: Jerome Simpson
LT: Matt Kalil
LG: Charlie Johnson
C: John Sullivan
RG: Brandon Fusco
RT: Phil Loadholt
TE: Kyle Rudolph
TE: Rhett Ellison
WR: Stephen Burton
QB: Christian Ponder
RB: Adrian Peterson
DEFENSE
LDE: Brian Robison
DT: Letroy Guion
DT: Kevin Williams
RDE: Jared Allen
SLB: Chad Greenway
MLB: Jasper Brinkley
WLB: Erin Henderson
CB: Antonio Winfield
CB: Chris Cook
SS: Jamarca Sanford
FS: Harrison Smith
special teams
PR: Marcus Sherels
KR: Percy Harvin
PK/KO: Blair Walsh
P: Chris Kluwe
Prediction
Bucs 24, Vikings 22
Injury report
Bucs — Questionable: CB Brandon McDonald (ankle). Probable: LB Adam Hayward (ankle), WR Vincent Jackson (calf), G Carl Nicks (foot), C Jeremy Zuttah (quadriceps).
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Explore all your options VIKINGS — Out: TE John Carlson (concussion), S Mistral Raymond (ankle). Probable: DE Jared Allen (groin), RB Matt Asiata (knee), S Robert Blanton (hamstring), DT Fred Evans (knee), T Matt Kalil (back), LB Marvin Mitchell (calf), RB Adrian Peterson (ankle), QB Christian Ponder (knee), WR Jerome Simpson (back, foot), S Harrison Smith (calf), CB Antoine Winfield (knee).