Rookie Doug Martin racked up 214 total yards and two touchdowns as the Buccaneers romped to a 36-17 victory over the Vikings, handing Minnesota its first home loss this season.
“It was pretty fun. I’m not going to lie,” said Martin, who took a screen pass 64 yards for a score, one of three Josh Freeman’s three touchdown passes, to give Tampa Bay a 27-10 lead just 1:21 into the second half.
Then Martin, the first-round draft pick from Boise State, capped a drive of more than nine minutes with a 1-yard muscle into the end zone midway through the fourth quarter to crush the comeback opportunity for Minnesota (5-3).
“It’s hard to come from college to the NFL. The speed of the game is definitely increased, and this is a feel thing. You’re looking for that rhythm, as a running back, getting comfortable in the offense and having that game-time experience. I’m definitely there, right where I need to be,” Martin said.
Adrian Peterson had a season-long 64-yard run for a score that brought the Vikings to 30-17, but his lost fumble in Minnesota territory in the second quarter led directly to a touchdown by the Buccaneers (3-4).
The Bucs, who became just the second visiting team to win on a Thursday night in seven games this season, revived their struggling pass rush with three sacks and flustered Christian Ponder with a heavy dose of blitzes.
Ponder finished 19-for-35 for 251 yards, one touchdown and a late interception at the end of a desperation drive.
With a 13-point lead, just trying to keep that clock running as quickly as possible, the Bucs could have gone conservative, but they refused to settle for a punt. Starting at their own 13 with 1:12 left in the third quarter, they plowed their way up the field — Freeman completed four third-and-long passes — and finished off the game with Martin’s third-and-goal touchdown run with 7:03 remaining.
“Ah, he is definitely an asset to our football team,” cornerback Ronde Barber said. “For a young guy to have that kind of vision, to have that kind of patience as a runner, it’s pretty impressive.”
Freeman went 19 for 36 for 262 yards and, most important, no turnovers.
Mike Williams had one of the touchdowns and 68 yards on six receptions, and the Bucs held the ball for nearly 38 of the 60 minutes.
Peterson finished with 123 yards on 15 carries. Percy Harvin had 90 yards on seven catches.
* Packers Pro Bowl receiver Greg Jennings will have surgery Tuesday to repair a torn abdominal muscle that has kept him out for most of the season. The outpatient procedure is not expected to be season-ending.