Bucs vs. Vikings: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings are two of the most mysterious teams in the NFL as we enter Week 2.

Tampa Bay fell to the upstart Detroit Lions in Week 1 in a surprising debut that saw quarterback Josh Freeman as the team's leading rusher with running back LeGarrette Blount getting only four carries. The team as a whole ran for only 56 yards on 16 total carries.

The Vikings, on the other hand, went the complete opposite way and saw Donovan McNabb throw for all of 39 yards (and no that is not a typo) in their loss to San Diego on the road.

Adrian Peterson had only 18 total touches and the Vikings, who only ran 43 offensive plays, somehow managed to lose by only seven.

Both teams need to wake up in Week 2 or they will see their playoff hopes fade rather quickly in two of the toughest divisions in football.

Where: Mall of America Field at the Metrodome; Minneapolis, Minnesota

When: Sunday, September 18, 1:00 PM EDT

Watch: FOX (local affiliates). DirecTV 710

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Listen: Buccaneers - WFUS 103.5 / WDAE 620 AM; Sirius 104. Vikings - KFAN FM 100.3; Sirius 113.

Betting Line: Vikings -3, Over/Under 40.5

Vikings are favored solely because of home-field advantage.

What's At Stake?

Possible playoff implications. These two teams play in stacked divisions and there are no guarantees that either of them will make a postseason appearance. The Saints and Falcons in the NFC South and the Packers, Bears and Lions in the NFC North will make it extremely difficult for either team to win their divisions.

A Wild Card is the more likely scenario for both, and that means they cannot lose to conference opponents.

Buccaneers' Injury Report

Sammie Stroughter, WR - The kick returner and sub-package receiver is out indefinitely with a fracture in his foot.

Brian Price, DT - The young defensive tackle is listed as day-to-day with a hamstring strain.

Vikings' Injury Report

Kevin Williams, DT - The massive defensive tackle is finishing his two-game suspension this week. He'll be back in Week 3.

Fantasy Start 'Em:

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Buccaneers - The Bucs used their two-minute offense a few times in Week 1 and that leaves Blount on the sideline. That isn't what the Bucs are used to doing and they are much more effective pounding the rock with their running back and having Josh Freeman beat you with the play-action.

Fantasy Sit 'Em:

Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings - Until Donovan McNabb proves he can complete more than seven passes, throw more than 100 yards and keep his offense on the field, Harvin will be viewed as a liability. His only points this week came on a kickoff return for a touchdown.

Fantasy Sleeper:

Arrelious Benn, WR, Buccaneers - The Vikings will be determined to keep Mike Williams in check on the outside when Freeman drops back. The Bucs also feature Kellen Winslow on the inside and the defense has to pay attention to him too. That means Benn, who saw seven targets in Week 1, could see more balls his way again.

What They're Saying

The St. Petersburg Times quotes Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris as saying:

"

"That’s not how we want to win games," Morris said. "We want to win games with (LeGarrette) Blount bludgeoning you for 130 yards and having a couple of play-action bombs and being efficient with (Josh Freeman). When we go to that two-minute offense like that, we kind of take Blount out of the game. That’s something we don’t want to do." 

"

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune is saying:

"

The Vikings, however, probably are right where they should be. They have enough talented individuals to lead a Super Bowl contender by 10 points on the road at halftime, and by three points in the fourth quarter. But consistency issues and growing pains often come with new faces at key positions, a new offense and a head coach in his first full season.

"

Buccaneers' Player to Watch

 Mason Foster, MLB, Buccaneers - The Buccaneers will have to stop Adrian Peterson early and often in this game and a lot of that will come down to Foster. The rookie third-round pick will have his work cut out for him and has to find a way to get off blocks and meet Peterson in the hole.

Vikings' Player to Watch

Donovan McNabb, QB, Vikings - McNabb's pathetic performance in Week 1 won't be tolerated for long. The Vikings drafted Christian Ponder early in the first round and he has to be considered an option should McNabb falter.

Key Matchup to Watch

Vikings offensive line vs. Buccaneers defensive line - This matchup will decide the game for both Peterson and McNabb. Expect the Vikings to work the running game early and hope to get things moving unlike last week. They need to run more than 43 plays in this game and they need to run Adrian Peterson more than 16 times.

Predictions

Buccaneers 24, Vikings 23