Written By Sam Ekstrom
LAST WEEK
Minnesota lost a heartbreaker to Buffalo 17-16 when Kyle Orton completed a touchdown pass to Sammy Watkins with one second left, bringing back memories of last year’s late collapses. The Bills converted on fourth-and-20 and third-and-12 on the final drive before Watkins’ TD catch. Offensively, the Vikings were lackluster again. Teddy Bridgewater threw a pair of interceptions, and the Vikings had to settle for three field goals in the loss.
Tampa got a much-needed week off after getting bludgeoned by the Ravens on their home turf. Joe Flacco threw five (!) first half touchdown passes in a 48-17 drubbing that sent the Bucs to their fifth loss.
RECENT MEETINGS
On October 25, 2012, Josh Freeman was still a valid NFL quarterback. He led the Bucs to a 36-17 whitewash of the Vikings at the Metrodome, the only home game the Vikings lost in 2012.
No wonder the Vikings signed Freeman last year – he beat them in 2011 as well. After trailing 17-0 at halftime, the Buccaneers stormed back to beat the Donovan McNabb-led Vikings 24-20 with a last-second touchdown by LeGarrette Blount.
Last time the Vikings played at Raymond James Stadium, Gus Frerotte was the quarterback. The Vikings didn’t score in the second half after leading 13-6 at halftime and lost 19-13.
Overall, the Vikings have lost six in a row to their former NFC Central rival.
STANDINGS UPDATE
Somehow, the 1-5 Bucs aren’t completely buried in what has been a mediocre NFC South. Carolina leads the way at 3-3, and the Panthers play the defending-champion Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The Bucs could find themselves just one game back if they take care of business Sunday and Carolina loses to Seattle.
Minnesota is in a far more depressing spot. Green Bay and Detroit appear to be in the upper echelon of the NFC as both sit at 5-2, three games ahead of the Vikings. Minnesota would have to win at least seven out of the last nine games to be in the discussion for a wild card spot.
FACING FRAZIER
Former Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier is the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator – a highly-criticized position these days. The Bucs have allowed a whopping 34 points per game, 295 passing yards per game and 423 total yards per game. All are worst in the league.
Nonetheless, Frazier was greatly respected by players and coaches alike during his three-plus years as Vikings head coach. Frazier took over midway through 2010, went 3-13 in 2011, then led the Vikings to a seven-game improvement and a playoff berth in 2012. A frustrating 5-10-1 mark in 2013 led to Frazier’s firing.
“I owe him a lot,” said fullback Jerome Felton. “He gave me an opportunity, so there’s a lot of respect there, so I’ll definitely say hello to him after the game and wish him luck.”
Frazier was popular with the players due to his patient, fatherly approach, rarely ever raising his voice at players. Adrian Peterson and Greg Jennings both lobbied for management to retain Frazier late last season, but the coach was fired on Dec. 30 after the Vikings’ season-ending win.
“I’m fortunate to have a guy like that to have the opportunity to be able to touch my life not only as a coach, but as a man,” said middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley. “He’s really big into the spiritual, and he kind of nudged a couple of guys here and there about begin closer to God. I was one of the guys, and just going about my studies and staying constant with that, and it kind of helped me find peace.”
Not all players were as sentimental about the reunion as Brinkley.
“The only thing I’m worried about is getting a win at Tampa Bay,” said defensive end Brian Robison, “We’ll worry about seeing Leslie afterwards. A great guy, was an awesome guy here when he was here, but we’ve got a job to do this week, and that’s concentrating on beating Tampa Bay.”
For more, read Tom Schreier’s feature on the team’s fondness for their old coach.
McKINNON’S EMERGENCE
The rookie third-round pick continues to turn heads. McKinnon, a converted running back after quarterbacking in college, seems to have taken the starting job away from Matt Asiata, and rightfully so. In the three games this year where McKinnon has received at least 10 carries, he’s averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Asiata has 3.6 yards per carry on 70 attempts this season.
“He obviously flashed from the beginning and has done a good job making big plays,” said offensive coordinator Norv Turner. “I just think he’s learning how to play in this league, and he’s become more consistent. I think he’s finding the correct lanes, he’s understanding defenses better, he improved a lot in protection from the first game he started to the second game, and that’s a big part of playing running back in this league and in our system certainly.”
Coach Zimmer has insinuated in the past that running backs who can’t protect the passer won’t get playing time, and that was always the concern with the undersized McKinnon. Before the season, McKinnon spoke about his need to improve in pass blocking, and it was assumed he would have ample time to learn – but he was forced to grow up fast when Adrian Peterson was sidelined because of child abuse allegations.
Since his 135-yard outburst against Atlanta, McKinnon has stayed in the coaches’ good graces despite occasional mistakes.
“There was a couple times he had the right guy and got beat physically,” said Zimmer after the team’s loss against Detroit, “but for the most part, you’ve got to consider where he’s come from and what position he’s played before and all the different things that’s going on with the running back today in the NFL. I think he’s doing very well.”
McKinnon is a more fluid pass catcher than Adrian Peterson, has top-flight speed and appears to be durable despite his 5-foot-9 frame. His future in the NFL looks very bright.
“He’s grown so much in the last two months, and he’s gonna continue to get better,” said Felton. “Obviously there was an adjustment period playing quarterback in college and then playing running back in the NFL, but he continues to work hard, he plays well, and he’s getting a lot better.”
MATCHUP TO WATCH
DT Gerald McCoy vs RG Vladimir Ducasse – McCoy just signed a record-setting seven-year, $98 million extension with the Bucs, making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. He’ll be lining up on the interior against Ducasse, who tweaked his knee in the Buffalo game and may not be 100 percent. McCoy is an animal. He gets great push up the middle and has four tackles for loss this season, while Ducasse has had his ups and downs in relief of the injured Brandon Fusco. Bridgewater may frequently be flushed out of the pocket if McCoy pressures the quarterback as he’s accustomed to doing.
PREDICTION
This one will be all about setting the tone. Tampa’s defense hasn’t put up many fights this year, but give them some momentum early and the likes of McCoy and linebacker Lavonte David may rally the troops. Bridgewater needs to establish the rhythm he had in the Atlanta game if the Vikings want a chance. The reality is, Minnesota’s season hinges heavily on this game. A loss to the woeful Bucs could be a catalyst for major change in Vikings country. Zimmer will have his troops prepared. I think the Vikings stifle the Tampa offense in a much-needed win. Vikings 24, Buccaneers 16.
Sam Ekstrom is a staff writer for Cold Omaha at 105 The Ticket. He has previously served as a play-by-play broadcaster in Iowa and South Dakota and has covered Minnesota sports since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @SamEkstrom for further insights.