Purple and Gold Franchise Notes 2013 | Minnesota Vikings | Madden 08 PC

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Week 01 Preview: Tampa Bay at Minnesota



Following Adrian Peterson's 2000 yard rushing campaign last season, can the Vikings pole vault to the top of the NFC North and claim the prestigious Lombardi Trophy as their own? Questions will become answers, with Tampa Bay's rejuvenated defense as their first hurdle.

Stadium: Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

Line: Minnesota -7

Minnesota's offense vs Tampa Bay's defense:

On one side you have Christian Ponder, Adrian Peterson and rookie cordarrelle Patterson and, on the other side, you have Darrelle Revis, Dashon Goldson and Mark Barron. What's going to be certain in this match-up is whether the new Buccaneers defense is for real. They made some splash acquisitions in the off-season, bringing in Dashon Goldson from the NFC Champion, San Francisco 49ers and trading for one of the league's best defensive players from the New York Jets, Darrelle Revis. Don't expect the Vikings to air this one out, Peterson will be and is the main component of their offense, so expect the 7th year running back to have more than enough carries today.

Winner: Tampa Bay's defense.

Tampa Bay's offense vs Minnesota's defense:

There's not much in the Buccaneer's offense. You have an inconsistent quarterback in Josh Freeman and a Pro Bowl back in Doug Martin. It stops there however. On the other hand, Minnesota have a couple of young talents on defense. It's announced that Sean Spence will be the starting middle linebacker, with Sharrif Floyd and Xavier Rhodes expecting to make their debuts. The Vikings have always fielded a competitive defense and it's going to be interesting to see the young guns out there against Tampa Bay's irrelevant offense.

Winner: Minnesota's offense.

Overall: With the season opener at home and the new uniforms being presented, it's more than likely that Minnesota will walk away with the victory, with the odds being their favour by at least a touchdown. Expect Adrian Peterson to get the bulk of Minnesota's snaps and expect the star studded running back to waltz into the endzone more than once.

Minnesota win, 17-10

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AP's 2 touchdowns and Glennon's 4 interceptions result in last second field goal



1st Quarter
6:26 TB - FG - R. Lindell 54 yards (TB 3-0)
2:14 TB - FG - R. Lindell 34 yards (TB 6-0)
2nd Quarter
4:19 MIN - TD - A. Peterson 3 yard run (MIN 7-6)
2:45 MIN - TD - A. Peterson 63 yard run (MIN 14-6)
1:38 TB - TD - J. Cutrera 33 yard fumble return, 2 point successful (MIN 14-14)
0:54 MIN - TD - C. Patterson 11 yard pass from C. Ponder (MIN 21-14)
0:03 MIN - FG - B. Walsh 39 yards (MIN 24-14)
4th Quarter
3:12 TB - TD - V. Jackson 8 yard pass from M. Glennon (MIN 24-21)
2:20 TB - FG - R. Lindell 34 yards (TIED 24-24)
0:00 MIN - FG - B. Walsh 32 yards (MIN 27-24)

New season, new ball game. That's how it is suppose to go, although the Buccaneer's showed the same type of game they've displayed before. Sloppyness.

Mike Glennon threw four interceptions as Adrian Peterson ran loose for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns in a game that the Vikings controlled more than what the scoreline would suggest.

Despite Christian Ponder throwing for a 70.9 rating, his play was much higher than indicated, although the quarterback rating won't justify such play that was left on the field.

The Vikings' defense played lights out. Second-year cornerback, Josh Robinson, collected four tackles, four pass deflections, one fumble forced and two interceptions in a defensive effort which forced four turnovers and allowed just two touchdowns.

Rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson had an up-and-down first game. The rookie fumbled on a punt return which led to a recovery for a touchdown. Patterson did recover however, and on the next offensive series, caught an 11 yard touchdown which added to his 5 receptions for 61 yards.