They can build a two-score lead. The Bucs are going to have a hard time stopping RB Adrian Peterson, but they can limit Peterson's effectiveness and put the game on QB Gus Frerotte's shoulders if they can build a two-score lead at some point. The Vikings offense is strong but if forced to throw, Frerotte could make the kinds of mistakes that will lead to turnovers, and that will give the Bucs the edge they need to win their third straight against NFC North opponents.

The Vikings Will Win If ?

They can beat the Bucs secondary for big plays. RB Adrian Peterson will get his share of yards. Even on a bad day he usually finds a way to get 100 or more. The key to Minnesota's success is complementing that. If the Vikings can do that with an effective passing game they'll move the ball efficiently and produce enough scoring chances to keep the Bucs on the ropes. If the Bucs are forced to play catch-up at any point their chances of winning this game will be greatly diminished, because the Vikings have a defense strong enough to shut them down.

CLEAN OUT THE BOX

The strength of the Vikings defense, which is one of the strongest in the league, is up the middle. That's where tackles Pat and Kevin Williams work and where runs usually stop. The Vikings, who play a Cover 2 scheme similar to the Bucs, are giving up just 70 rushing yards per game and just 3.1 yards per carry this year. To open up some room for their backs the Bucs will want to empty out that box a bit. The best way to do that is to spread things out offensively and work the ball deep. If the Bucs do that they can keep the linebackers active and keep the safeties from filling the box. The Bucs will struggle to run the ball and even complete their short passes if the Vikings are allowed to put an eighth or ninth player into the box. By spreading the offense, throwing deep and running outside a bit, the Bucs should give their running game a fighting chance to succeed today.

FOCUS ON PETERSON

The Vikings are not a one-dimensional team by any stretch of the imagination. Even with Gus Frerotte at quarterback they can still light it up with their passing attack. Some teams tend to forget that and focus too much on stopping Adrian Peterson. The Bucs can't afford to do that, but stopping Peterson has to be their primary objective. The Vikings will try to establish a ball-control attack and that means giving the ball to Peterson. Peterson is a quick and powerful runner who can make tacklers miss even in tight areas and in crowds. He's not easy to take down so the Bucs have to tackle well today and get a good game out of the players in the middle. They don't want to have to fill the box to stop the Vikings' top threat, because that will open up too many passing options that are just as troublesome.

SPECIALIZE ON SPECIAL TEAMS

The Bucs have been hot here the last few weeks. The decision to bench second-round draft pick Dexter Jackson and go with undrafted rookie Clifton Smith as the primary kick and punt returner is really paying off. Now comes a game in which Smith could really shine. The Vikings have had a miserable time covering kicks and punts this year. The year started with Green Bay's Will Blackmon bringing a punt back 76 yards for a touchdown and it hasn't gotten much better. Opponents are returning punts at a rate of 16.5 yards per return this year so the Bucs have a chance today to get some of those all-important hidden yards that give offenses a boost. If they continue to block well for Smith up front and Smith can avoid turning the ball over, the Bucs should set themselves up well offensively. Against a defense as strong as Minnesota's that will be important.

HOLD ON TO THE BALL

The Bucs aren't really struggling in this area but they're not excelling either. They're right in the middle of the pack with 11 fumbles but their seven fumbles lost ties them for fifth-most in the league. That's not something you want to hang your hat on. The Bucs got lucky two weeks ago when they forced a fumble to take the ball back after they fumbled the ball away themselves during a critical drive late in their victory against Kansas City. The bottom line is, the Bucs have to do a better job of holding on to the ball today. They're just not good enough offensively to waste possessions and give away scoring chances. It's a known fact that the team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game. By focusing more on ball security the Bucs can be the team that wins both today.

FINISH IN THE RED ZONE

Haven't we said this before? I thought so. It Bears repeating, though, because the Bucs aren't getting any better here. They dropped from 20th in offensive red-zone production to 30th after the Kansas City game, so this is an area the Bucs really need to focus on. Being a little more aggressive inside the 20 might be the answer. The Bucs seem content to run the ball here but they have weapons in their passing game that are capable of making plays. The key is to give those playmakers a chance; that means throwing into the end zone. No matter how they do it the Bucs have to find a way to be more productive here. You can beat weak teams such as Kansas City with poor red zone production but the better teams will turn those lost points into scoring chances for themselves.

Bucs LT Donald Penn vs. Vikings RDE Jared Allen

The thing that makes Allen so special is his drive and energy. He doesn't have a quiver full of great pass rush moves; he beats his opponent with strength and determination and he beats them often. With his long arms and strong legs he has a way of wearing an opponent down, so Penn has to play to the whistle on every down. The Bucs would be wise to give Penn some help today. Allen's style will leave a player fatigued, and that will make someone like Penn more vulnerable

as long drives and the game go on. Penn won't need help constantly but if he gets it occasionally he'll stay fresh and keep Allen at bay longer.

Bucs CB Ronde Barber vs. Vikings WR Bernard Berrian

Barber's had a tough season. On more than a couple of occasions he's been beaten for big plays. The Vikings have no doubt seen that and will try to pick on him today by lining Berrian, their top receiver, up against him. The best way to slow Berrian is to bump him at the line and take him out of his route. If Berrian gets by the bump, though, the safety has to take over because Berrian almost always goes deep. He doesn't run between the numbers very much, so stopping Berrian doesn't fall completely on Barber. It will take a team effort to stop him.

Photo: Donald Penn

Photo: Jared Allen

Photo: Ronde Barber

Photo: Bernard Berrian

Photo credit: Tribune photo by CLIFF MCBRIDE

Photo: The Bucs defense has been strong against the run this season but will be tested today.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Photo: The Vikings are at their best when running back Adrian Peterson has a big performance.

Photo credit: The Associated Press

Photo: Minnesota's special teams coverage has struggled, so Bucs returner Clifton Smith might get a chance to shine today.

Photo credit: Tribune photo by JAY CONNER

Photo: Once the Bucs get into the red zone, they have to give quarterback Jeff Garcia a chance to pass for a touchdown.

Photo credit: The Associated Press

Photo: Adrian Peterson, left, and Gus Frerotte are keys to Minnesota's offense.

Photo: P. Williams

Photo: K. Williams

Copyright ? 2008, The Tampa Tribune and may not be republished without permission. E-mail library@tampatrib.com