Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Minnesota 24 at Tampa Bay 38 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Minnesota Vikings: Penalties (13 committed) and costly turnovers (3) killed the Vikings today. Daunte Culpepper threw for 231 yards and rushed for another 8, but he didn't see the end zone and he threw two interceptions. He only found Randy Moss 4 times for a measly 41 yards. However, they did connect on a nice 41 yard TD that was called back on a holding penalty. Michael Bennett is an enigma. Throughout the game, he ran with his head down showing no vision and no elusiveness averaging 3.2 yards per carry and not looking pretty. Then, out of nowhere he takes a handoff 85 yards for a TD looking like a faster Marshall Faulk. He had 10 carries for 114 yards and 1 td in the game. Any time you have a wide receiver or quarterback playing the Vikings; start them. Their pass defense is non-existent. Buccaneer receivers were wide open all day long. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs inexplicably abandoned Michael Pittman today only giving him 3 carries. He was not injured. Mike Alstott got 26 carries and looked tough but only managed 55 yards against a tough Minnesota run defense. He also caught 3 balls for 16 yards and a TD. Brad Johnson was golden today; taking advantage of the Vikings' 31st ranked pass defense. He went 24/31 for 313 and a career high 5 TDs. He didn't throw an interception. Keyshawn Johnson not only caught a season high 9 balls for 133 yards this afternoon, but actually saw the end zone twice, and both times from within the red zone. You never wish injury on any player, but the nicks to both Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius may be the best thing to ever happen to Keyshawn owners. The Bucs defense was great again. Cornerbacks get sacks, linemen get interceptions, and linebackers are all over the field. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Minnesota Vikings QB: Daunte Culpepper - Played from behind for most of the game against a tough Tampa defense. The pass rush teed off on him sacking him 3 times and hurrying him many more. His two interceptions were his fault and he had two fumbles which he recovered himself. His best play of the day was a 41 yard TD pass to Moss that was called back on a holding penalty. He couldn't find running lanes against fast Buccaneer linebackers and he couldn't find Moss through double coverage. It wasn't a good day at the office. He finished with 231 yards passing and 2 interceptions. He added 8 yards on the ground. RB: Michael Bennett - looked useless for the majority of the game. He continuously plunged head first into the line showing no vision or cutback ability, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. Then, out of the blue he runs for an 85 yard TD showing moves, cutting ability, and blazing speed. He finished with 10 runs for 114 yards and a TD. He added 27 yards on 3 catches. Moe Williams - rushed 7 times for 43 yards and had 2 short TDs. He was in on third downs and obvious passing situations also taking goal line and short yardage duties. Take away Bennett's long TD run and Moe Williams looked better on the day. He added 30 yards on 6 receptions. Jim Kleinsasser - caught 3 balls for 64 yards and looked very Mike Alstottish after the catch. WR: Randy Moss - had his nicest grab of the day called back on a holding penalty. It would have been a 41 yard TD. He ended up catching only 4 balls for 41 yards. He also had 2 rushes for 8 yards. His skills are still there; it's the rest of the offense that needs to improve especially in the penalty and turnover department. Derrick Alexander - left the game early with a knee injury. More as we hear it. D'Wayne Bates - did not play in the game. TE: Byron Chamberlain - did not catch a pass in the game. Pass Defense: What pass defense? They might as well not even be on the field. Buccaneer wide receivers were open all day long; Brad Johnson passed for a career high 5 TDs and wasn't sacked once. Rush Defense: The Vikes are much better against the rush. They swarmed Mike Alstott all day long only allowing him 2.1 yards per carry. They did allow Aaron Stecker to make an impressive 59 yard run. Special Teams: Nick Davis fumbled the opening kickoff, setting the tone for the day for Minnesota. He didn't return another kick all day - Moe Williams took over. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB: Brad Johnson - was golden today; taking advantage of the Vikings' 31st ranked pass defense. He went 24/31 for 313 and a career high 5 TDs. He didn't throw an interception. He hit 8 different receivers but Keyshawn Johnson was his favorite with 9 catches. He threw nice, accurate spirals all day hitting his receivers in stride. Showed absolutely no ill effects of the cracked ribs. In fact, after one of the TD passes, he was swinging his arm around ridiculously hard in celebration. RB: Mike Alstott - looked tough running the ball but the Vikings defense swarmed him as soon as he touched the ball. He only managed 55 yards on 26 carries but added 16 yards and a TD through the air. Mike Pittman - seems to have fallen out of favor with Jon Gruden only getting 3 carries on the day. He looked fast and powerful taking those 3 carries for 19 yards. He caught one ball for 18 yards. Aaron Stecker - got one carry on the day and took it 59 yards. He looked very Warrick Dunn like with speed, moves and cutback ability. WR: Keyshawn Johnson - was targeted often in the red zone for a change and caught 2 TDs from within the 20 yard line. He consistently got open for Brad Johnson and ended up with 133 yards on 9 receptions and 2 TDs. Karl Williams - did a good job filling in for both Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius catching 4 balls for 49 yards and TD. He is very quick and elusive. TE: Ken Dilger - was sure handed this afternoon and powerful after the catch. He caught 3 passes for 61 yards. Ricky Dudley - was targeted often in the redzone and caught 2 balls for 11 yards including a 2 yard TD. Pass Defense: You know a unit is talented when corners are getting sacks (Ronde Barber) and linemen (Warren Sapp) are getting interceptions. The linebackers are really fast and kept Randy Moss from making anything of his short pass opportunities. Simeon Rice was in Culpepper's face throughout the game, sacking him twice. The unit picked off Culpepper twice, and did a great job shutting down Moss and company. Rush Defense: The entire defense did a good job against the run today, completely shutting down Culpepper and holding Bennett to 3.2 yards per carry if you take away his big run. Special Teams: Martin Gramatica was 1 for 2 on the day, hitting from 36 but missing from 40.