Bucs at Vikings
8:20 tonight, Metrodome, Minneapolis
TV/radio: Ch. 32, NFL; 620-AM, 103.5-FM
Line/over-under: Vikings by 61/2; 421/2
The poll
Who do you blame for the Bucs' 35-28 loss to the Saints on Sunday?
Greg Schiano and his coaching staff: 57 percent
Bucs secondary: 26 percent
Officials: 11 percent
Running back LeGarrette Blount: 5 percent
Receiver Mike Williams: 1 percent
Total: 1,316 votes
Inside the numbers
21-31 Bucs' record against the Vikings; the Bucs have won the past five meetings dating to 2001
652 Rushing yards for the Vikings' Adrian Peterson, tied for third in the league
29 100-yard rushing games for Peterson, tied with Robert Smith for the Vikings' franchise record
35.4 Percentage of third downs the Bucs have allowed opponents to convert, eighth best in the league
What they're saying
Josh Freeman posted 420 passing yards and was two fluke plays away from combining a career statistical day with a win (Sunday). By rule, the illegal touching was called correctly. But more upsetting was that Vincent Jackson got hawked by a safety on the other side of the field.
Brian Billick Fox Sports
Minnesota's ferocious pass rush bared its fangs against the Cardinals with seven sacks. If Josh Freeman and the Bucs insist on taking to the air, Brian Robison, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams and Letroy Guion need to keep snarling up front and wreak havoc in the backfield.
Brian Murphy St. Paul Pioneer Press
The picks
I have a gut feeling that this game gets away from the Vikings somehow. Tampa Bay has been cruising offensively the last two weeks, and they have a really good run D. Which will put pressure on the Vikings to get something done in the passing game. We'll see how they respond. Every part of me says to pick Tampa. But I keep coming back to the 3-12 record road teams have the past two seasons with these Sunday-to-Thursday quick flips. Vikings, 24-23.
Dan Wiederer Minneapolis Star-Tribune
The Bucs have come alive on offense the past couple of weeks with Josh Freeman putting up big numbers. But (the Metrodome) is a tough place to play, especially the way the Vikings' front is playing. They get after it on defense, ranking ninth in the league. The Bucs do stop the run, so look for Christian Ponder to have a bounce-back game. Vikings, 21-17.
Pete Prisco CBSSports.com
In Greg Schiano's first season as coach of the Bucs, the results have been inconsistent. "Again, we're sitting here, what are we, 2-4 now? And we're saying this old song and dance. That's the way it is," he said after Sunday's loss. "Until we get it changed, until we find a way to change it, close but no cigar." The Vikings will be lighting up on Thursday night. Vikings, 27-19
Barry Wilner Associated Press
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