Thursday, October 25, 2012

Buccaneers-Vikings Prediction - Week 8


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-2):

I have to admit: I’m impressed by Josh Freeman and the Bucs’ offense. I understand they went up against one of the worst secondaries in the NFL last week, but players don’t explode for 200 receiving yards if they don’t have some measure of talent. (Given the fact that Vincent Jackson got caught on the 1 after literally having a 30-yard lead, this is even more impressive.)  And Doug Martin hasn’t been amazing, but he has been very serviceable, good even, for the Bucs this year. The defense is such a wild card, though. Granted its schedule is looking worse as time goes on, Tampa shut down the Cowboys, the Panthers and the Chiefs with ease, only to get eviscerated by the Giants and the Saints.

 

As for Minnesota, I’m still not sold. Adrian Peterson went off last week, but that corresponded with a complete crash-and-burn by Christian Ponder (58 passing yards? FIFTY-EIGHT?!). I’m slowly warming to this Vikings defense, which has secondary capabilities the likes of which I haven’t seen in purple in years, but if Minnesota wants to stay in the playoff chase, it has to put together a complete game on offense. I don’t think they’re there yet, but the Vikings will pull this one out.

 

Minnesota Vikings: 28-24

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