As usual, Bucs pose formidable challenge for Vikings

Center Matt Birk was a rookie in 1998 when the Vikings traveled to Tampa Bay to play their then-NFC Central rival. The Vikings were 7-0 and had loads of confidence -- not to mention a pretty good rookie receiver by the name of Randy Moss -- but ended up losing 27-24.

It was the only defeat the Vikings suffered during that regular season; Tampa Bay finished an unimpressive 8-8. In retrospect, though, the loss should not have come as a major surprise. When these teams meet Sunday for the first time in three years -- they stopped being division foes after the 2001 season when the NFL realigned -- Tampa Bay will be looking to extend a three-game winning streak in the series and a five-game streak at home.

"We used to try everything," to beat the Bucs, Birk said. "We'd have team dinners and sing 'Kumbaya' and everything, and it just never worked. ... It's a tough place, but the biggest reason is they're always a good team."

That is the case again. Tampa Bay (6-3), coming off its bye week, is tied for second in the NFC South, a game behind Carolina. The Vikings already have beaten two teams from that division (the Panthers and Saints), but continuing that success won't be easy against the Bucs, who are ranked in the top of the NFL in both offense (tied for eighth) and defense (seventh).

This will mark the first time since Brad Childress took over as the Vikings coach in 2006 that he will face the Buccaneers. Childress likely won't have anyone singing "Kumbaya," but he is making a few alterations in how his team prepares. While the forecast for Sunday afternoon in Tampa calls for a comfortable high of 67 degrees, Childress had the heat turned up in the Vikings' indoor practice facility Wednesday. He's also stressed the importance of hydration, in part because his team will play in Jacksonville a week after facing the Buccaneers.

"Hydration isn't something we just do south of the Mason-Dixon line," Childress said. "If they're not peeing, they're not drinking enough."

Tight end Jim Kleinsasser, who has been part of four Vikings losses in Tampa since joining the franchise in 1999, agrees with Childress' somewhat interesting assessment. "In the past, we didn't concentrate on hydration as we do now so maybe that change and the weather affected us a little bit."

The Vikings (5-4) carry a two-game winning streak into Sunday's game and are in a first-place tie with Chicago, which will play at Green Bay this weekend. But the Vikings are only 1-3 on the road this season, having beaten the Saints and lost to the Packers, Titans and Bears. Childress is 7-13 on the road and lost to Miami in 2006 in his only previous trip to Florida as the Vikings coach.

While the Vikings have not played at Tampa since 2002, they are 2-8 in their past 10 games in either Tampa Stadium or Raymond James Stadium, which opened in 1998. The Buccaneers are 4-0 at Raymond James this season and have won by an average of 14.5 points. Overall, NFC South teams are a combined 16-1 at home this season and 17-1 if you include the Saints' "home" victory over San Diego in London.

The Vikings' 30-27 victory at New Orleans on Oct. 6 represents the one loss.

"It's the mind-set," wide receiver Bobby Wade said of playing on the road. "You're definitely going into a hostile environment. You're playing in a place where they're extremely comfortable. ... Just like when [teams] come into the Metrodome. We feel extremely comfortable playing there with the fans on our side and things like that. Especially going to Florida where it's a longer trip, the climate's a little bit different, so you've got to really be focused."

One thing Childress doesn't seem concerned about is the potential for his team to have a letdown after an emotional victory over the Packers.

"Not in my mind there's not," Childress said. "You look at it as a professional. You enjoy it. The fun in this business is winning. ... [But] every week stands on its own merit. I see it as more of a challenge from the standpoint that we're going on the road, into a hostile environment against a team that's had a bye. [They're] a good football team."

Staff Writer Mark Craig contributed to this report.