Minnesota Vikings vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview, Predictions, Betting Odds, Live Stream
By Josh Hill
Minnesota Vikings vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are two teams in the dumps this year but they’re both going to try and turn their seasons around on Sunday. In a matchup that harkens back to the old NFC Central days, the Bucs and Vikings meeting will feature some familiar faces in new places.
Lovie Smith knows the Vikings from his days coaching the Chicago Bears while Leslie Frazier knows the Vikings from being their head coach last season. Both men are now on the Buccaneers sidelines facing a new-look Vikings team that will be trying to notch a win on its belt that many believe it can get.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings viewing information:
Date: October 26, 2014
Start Time: 1:00 pm EST
Location: Tampa, FL
Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
TV Info: Fox/NFL Sunday Ticket
Live Stream: NFLSundayTicket.TV
Radio: NFL Audio Pass
Ticket information: For Chicago Bears ticket information, click here. For New England Patriots ticket information, click here.
Keys to Victory
The Minnesota Vikings aren’t that bad of a team, but they’re not yet on the level they need to be yet. Minnesota has an exciting young rookie quarterback, a potentially lethal defensive middle and a head coach who wants to win at any costs. They should have escaped Buffalo with a win and the vigor may lead to another blowout in Tampa Bay this week.
That’s the last thing the Buccaneers need, as Lovie Smith is sitting with a 1-5 franchise that needs a spark — quickly. Many are under the impression that the Bucs will be int he running for the No. 1 pick this year and that may very well be the case. But the team also has the makings of a unit that may win their way out of a premium draft pick based on pride alone, and that could begin on Sunday with a win against the Vikings. Mike Glennon needs to be spot on for the Buccaneers to win, but then again Teddy Bridgewater has thrown the ball to the wrong team on a regular basis this season which may mean the Bucs defense is in for a big day.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Tampa Bay -3.0
Moneyline: Vikings +130, Buccaneers -150
O/U: 42
Prediction
The Buccaneers are in desperate need of another win this season but the Vikings won’t give it up easily. Teddy Bridgewater hasn’t looked that great since his breakout game against the Atlanta Falcons and getting some more highlights to add to the rookie reel may be what he looks for against a Buccaneers defense that is hit and miss from week to week. Still, the Bucs need this one and Lovie Smith knows the Vikings — an edge that may come in more handy than many believe.
Final Score: Buccaneers 31, Vikings 24