GAME BALLS

JOSH FREEMAN, Bucs quarterback

Stats: 22-for-31, 243 yards.

Like his team, he had a rough first half, and then was unstoppable.
MASON FOSTER, Bucs linebacker

Stats: sack, forced fumble.

The rookie third-rounder from Washington led Tampa Bay with 10 tackles.

ADRIAN PETERSON, Vikings running back

Stats: 120 yards, 2 TDs.

Dominated the first half; once the Bucs slowed him, the Vikings bogged down.

PLAY OF THE GAME

When: Fourth quarter, 1:56 left. Score: Vikings led 20-17. Situation: Tampa Bay had first-and-10 at the Vikings 16 for the first play after the two-minute warning.

The play: Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman tried to hit tight end Kellen Winslow over the middle, but Vikings safety Tyrell Johnson read the play and jumped in front of Winslow, only to have the ball bounce off his hands.

The result: With a reprieve, the Bucs needed three more plays to score the winning touchdown, leaving only 35 seconds on the clock.

NOT IN THE BOXSCORE: Ready or not?

Vikings special teams ace Kenny Onatolu said he wasn't surprised by Tampa Bay's decision to try an onside kick after its third-quarter touchdown. The Bucs recovered the kick after it bounced off Onatolu's hands. "Honestly, we expect it every time," he said. "It was just a heck of a kick. They got a nice bounce."

MANO-A-MANO: Bucs OT Donald Penn vs. Vikings DE Jared Allen
Who won? Allen had a sack on the game's first play, his only tackle of the game. Edge: Penn