This was going to be a tough game, and most people forecast that the Bucs would win. The Vikings weren't awful, losing to a tough Tampa Bay team that's 7-3 overall and 5-0 at home.
But the trends are troubling. The Vikings lost a lead -- again. They were up 13-6 at halftime and lost 19-13. They lost the turnover battle, fumbling twice while getting only one turnover.
The second fumble occurred when the Vikings were about to score and tie the game. Ouch.
And yet another quarterback picked apart the Vikes' pass defense. Jeff Garcia went 23 for 30 for 255 yards with no TDs and no interceptions. He was sacked only once.
This time Adrian Peterson wasn't enough. He gained 85 yards, almost half of the team's measly total of 210 yards.
The Bucs were better in the second half. The Vikings offense did nothing, and the Bucs tied on the opening drive after the half. They were the better team, especially after the break.
You can't get on Gus Frerotte's case. He was OK, going 14 for 20 for 138 yards, a TD and no interceptions. But you're not going to win when you lose the turnover battle and gain only 210 yards.
The Vikings are fortunate -- the Bears lost, so they're still tied for the division lead along with the Bears and Packers. None of those teams is overpowering.
The Vikings have lost four in a row to the Bucs and eight of nine in Tampa. You might recall that the only lregular-season oss the Vikings had in 1998-99 was on the road against the Bucs.
The Bucs are a pretty good team, and this was a good test for the Vikings. The team showed they belong on the same field with the Bucs, and that's good. But they were steamrolled in the second half, losing a lead.
The Vikes have to cut down on turnovers. They're not good enough to overcome them.
And they have to learn to protect leads. You'd think a team with such a strong rushing attack would be able to do that.
The Vikings could still win the division. But who knows? Green Bay looked great against the Bears, who can't play defense any more.
And the Vikings? Who knows? They haven't put a complete game together. They've been in every game. They've made a lot of mistakes and had far too many turnovers and special-teams screwups. Their defense has been pretty good, their offense has been iffy (except for AP).
The schedule isn't kind. Next week they play the Jacksonville Jaguars, an underachieving team, on the road. Then they play the Bears at home; at Detroit; at Arizona; and then finish with two winning teams, Atlanta and the Giants, at home.
Green Bay plays at the Saints; Carolina and Houston at home; at Jacksonville and at Chicago; and then Detroit at home.
The Bears play at St. Louis and at the Vikings; at home vs. Jacksonville, New Orleans and Green Bay; and then close at Houston.
The Bears have the easiest schedule. But they're not playing very well right now.
Someone will get on a roll at the end and win. And then, most likely, bow out in their first playoff game.
Life in the NFC North.
Keywords: Adrian Peterson, Gus Frerotte, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
