Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week Two: Will the Vikings Cure What Ails These Bucs?

The young whipper-snapper Matthew Stafford was simply a bit too much for the Tampa Bay Buccaneer defense last Sunday, especially when paired with the fact that the Buccaneer offense was the best thing for sleep since nighttime.

Episode Two of Jedi Master Raheem Morris' 2011 Football Wars will unfold Sunday in Minnesota, within the air-conditioned dome. No heat, no elements, no excuses for guys cramping up every quarter.

Oh yes, did we mention that Megatron is gone? Thankfully, he'll be back at his Motown home to torture the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that might find that endeavor as overwhelming as the Bucs did.

Minnesota lost to the San Diego Chargers last week which brings two 0-1 teams together to find out who stays winless.

But the question remains, is Minnesota the medicine for what ailed the Buccaneers in Week One?

Will the Elderly Donovan McNabb Fall on His Face Again?

Ah, the good ole Big D. As in Donovan, as in McNabb.

If you thought Josh Freeman had problems last week, consider McNabb's stellar performance against the Chargers. McNabb went 7-for-15 for a whopping 39 yards and became the instant walking advertisement for the promotion of Christian Ponder.

With McNabb's age and decreased mobility, will this be the week that someone on that Buccaneer front four breaks through and actually sacks this elderly quarterback?

If not, all of them should be locked up for a week in a small room and forced to listen to nothing but Barry Manilow music.

You can look for the Vikings to emulate the Lions and go with the quick-drop passes, three-steps and get it out.

Still, McNabb is about as far from Matthew Stafford as Tampa is from Minneapolis.

Let this guy beat you and suddenly it's not looking so good, is it?

Can the Buccaneer Defense Contain Adrian Peterson?

Uh Oh.

You know what I'm thinking, don't you?

I know what you're thinking.

Adrian Peterson.

Is there any way that the Buccaneer defense can stop this monster?

Big is one thing. Big and fast—well, it can get ridiculous when this guy hits the open field.

All he needs is one mistake, one opening, one player out of position and it's off to the races.

Considering Jahvid Best put up 72 yards on 21 carries last week for the Lions, the Bucs may have a big problem. You see, Adrian Peterson is in an entirely different hemisphere from a guy like Best.

Best? Adrian Peterson IS the Best. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

Ultimate challenge for a defense that was left on the field too long last week by the offense.

Can Josh Freeman and the Offense Give the Defense a Rest?

The performance by Josh Freeman and the offense last week simply won't cut it.

Not against Detroit, not against anyone.

That three-and-out stuff has got to go. The offense has the most to prove come Sunday in Minnesota.

Can the offensive line give Freeman time to throw and can it open holes for LeGarrette Blount?

The O-line was simply dominated last week in every way a unit can be dominated. It was simply overpowered physically.

It can't happen again. If it does, Oh-and-Two could become reality by 4 p.m. Sunday.

No Megatron This Week, Thank Goodness!

Let's see, Stafford threw for more than 300 yards last week. McNabb threw for 39.

Do you like the sound of that?

Thank goodness Megatron has gone home. Good riddance. Hopefully Aqib Talib slept better this week.

Still, the Vikings are not without weapons and the secondary will have to be on alert. They also better be prepared for a big flash breaking loose with No. 28 on his jersey.

No Megatron, but Peterson is a transformer of equal power and status.

No Calvin Johnson is a good thing.

Hopefully, Aqib Talib Won't Be a Major Part of the Offense

Oh, that naughty Aqib Talib.

Couldn't help showboating right off the bat last week.

Granted, he was all the offense the Buccaneers had early. Well, him and Sammie Stroughter, who is lost for at least three weeks after foot surgery.

Hopefully Talib will simply play the game this week, be effective and not doing anything to draw a penalty.

Yes, he clowned his way to the endzone in the first quarter with his pick-six but he was on the tough end of a lot those Calvin Johnson receptions.

Time for Talib and the rest to get down to serious business.

No clowning, no showboating.

How about the novel concept of letting one's play do the talking?