Anthony Barr forced a fumble and returned the ball for a touchdown to guide the Minnesota Vikings to a 19-13 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this evening.
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The Vikings managed to force a three and out from the Buccaneers and their offense picked up just enough yardage to get into field-goal range of kicker Blair Walsh, but his kick from 56 yards went just wide of the posts.
Both defenses were on top in the game, as when the Buccaneers finally got some rhythm on offense Mike Glennon saw his pass intercepted by cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.
The Vikings took the lead just before the break when Teddy Bridgewater finally got his offense moving and Walsh this time was left with a slightly easier kick, which he made from 46 yards.
In the second half, Minnesota took control of the game as they extended their lead to 10 points when Bridgewater moved his side into the redzone, and then found Greg Jennings deep down the middle for a 17-yard touchdown.
Tampa Bay finally got on the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter when Patrick Murray nailed a 54-yard field goal through the posts, after his offense did just enough to get him into range.
Murray brought his side within four points following another decent drive as he fired a 46-yarder between the uprights to keep the match close.
The Buccaneers took the lead late in the game when Glennon drove his side into the redzone before he lofted a pass for tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins to snag a seven-yard touchdown.
However, Bridgewater rallied to send the match into overtime as he drove his side into field-goal range, allowing Walsh to tie the scores with a late kick.
In overtime, Seferian-Jenkins went from hero to zero for the Buccaneers when he fumbled the ball under pressure from Barr and Harrison Smith. Barr picked up the ball and ran all the way into the endzone to clinch the victory for his side.
Simon Sinclair
