Barr after scoring the game-winning TD. #MINvsTB pic.twitter.com/1yVpOPUCVL
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 26, 2014
It was sweet revenge for the Minnesota Vikings’ (3-5) defense, as they came up with the biggest play of the day in a 19-13 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-6) on Sunday afternoon.
After allowing a below average Buccaneers offense to score 13 points in the fourth quarter, it was a defensive gem by rookie linebacker Anthony Barr that resulted in the game-winning touchdown. Barr forced and recovered a fumble and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown.
“It’s big time man,” Barr told KFAN’s sideline reporter Greg Coleman after the game, “just happy to make a play for the team.”
All smiles in the #Vikings locker room. #VikingsVictory pic.twitter.com/L8sbLsJARd
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 26, 2014
Barr stripped the ball loose from tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who just minutes earlier caught a touchdown pass to give Tampa Bay a 13-10 lead with 2:02 left in the fourth quarter. Barr added eight tackles and a sack.
Seferian-Jenkins’ touchdown capped a 13-point fourth quarter for the Bucs, and it capped an 80-yard drive – Tampa’s longest of the season.
The #Bucs had 135 yards before that 80-yard scoring drive. #Vikings
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) October 26, 2014
But unlike last week’s last-second loss to the Bills, where Sammy Watkins scored the winning touchdown with one second left on the clock, rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had 2:02 to move down the field to tie or take the lead. Bridgewater needed every second, but he guided the Vikings down the field for a nine-play, 61-yard drive that ended with Blair Walsh kicking the tying 38-yard field goal.
Walsh missed a 56-yard field goal try earlier in the game, and his 46-yard field goal accounted for the only points of the first half.
Minnesota jumped out to a 10-0 lead when Greg Jennings hauled in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Bridgewater midway through the third quarter. Bridgewater finished 24 of 42 for 241 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions.
The rookie’s favorite target was Cordarrelle Patterson, who finished with six receptions for 86 yards. His six catches snapped his streak of catching just two passes in four consecutive weeks.
Jerick McKinnon was Minnesota’s leading rusher with 86 yards on 16 carries.
Up next for the Vikings is a home game next Sunday against the Washington Redskins. They have a bye week in Week 10.
