Twelve times over the past two games, the Vikings offense has gone three-and-out. We went back and reviewed each of those possessions. Here's the autopsy: OCT. 21 VS. ARIZONA

Quarter Net yards T.O.P. Biggest mistake

1 5 1:57 After a penalty negated Percy Harvin's 103-yard kickoff return score, John Sullivan's

holding penalty on the first play from scrimmage pushed the Vikings inside their own 5.

2 9 1:58 A third-and-2 run by Toby Gerhart picked up only 1 yard.

3 8 1:32 Pressured by a six-man rush, Christian Ponder's third-and-2 slant throw to Kyle Rudolph

was broken up by Adrian Wilson.

4 4 1:27 Even with Adrian Peterson having a huge day, the Vikings called a first-down pass play

and Ponder was sacked by Daryl Washington.

4 -2 1:20 On third-and-5, defensive tackle Nick Eason overpowered Sullivan to sack Ponder

for a 7-yard loss.

4 9 2:20 With 10 defenders in the box, Adrian Peterson's third-and-1 run was snuffed

by cornerback William Gay.

OCT. 26 VS. TAMPA BAY

Quarter Net yards T.O.P. Biggest mistake

1 8 2:01 After an 8-yard Peterson run, Ponder's third-and-2 swing pass to Percy Harvin sails

3 feet over the receiver's head.

1 5 0:50 Peterson's pile-moving 5-yard run on first down is followed by two incompletions,

one a clear miscommunication between Ponder and Jerome Simpson.

1 -7 1:41 Phil Loadholt's false start penalty pushed the Vikings back into a third-and-12 predicament.

3 -2 1:27 After being stopped for no gain on first down, a swing pass to Peterson loses 2 yards.

3 2 1:51 Linebacker Mason Foster comes through untouched on a blitz and sacks Ponder

for a loss of 10 on first down.

3 -8 1:32 Sullivan's third-down shotgun snap hits Ponder in the ankle, creating a scramble

and a loss of 12.

DAN WIEDERER