The Buccaneers make their way to Minnesota as these NFC Central rivals renew acquaintances one more time.

While the Vikings have doubled Tampa's victory total in this series (28-14), the Bucs have amassed more than half of their wins (8) this decade as Minnesota owns only a modest 10-8 edge in this rivalry in the 1990s.

Last season, these clubs split their regular-season series for the sixth consecutive year; on opening day at the Metrodome (Week 1), since-departed Vikings QB Brad Johnson threw for 189 yards and four touchdowns (1 INT)--including a pair of scores to WR Randy Moss--as Dennis Green's club rolled to a 31-7 triumph.

Eight weeks later at Raymond James Stadium (Week 9), Buccaneers RBs Mike Alstott (19-128-1 TD) and Warrick Dunn (18-115-1 TD) both topped the century mark on the ground as Tampa rolled up 246 yards rushing in a 27-24 upset victory, handing the Vikings what would prove to be their only regular-season loss in '98.

The Buccaneers are 6-15 lifetime at Minneapolis dating back to 1978, including 4-13 lifetime at the Metrodome dating back to 1982.

Numbers:In their last four games dating back to '98, the Buccaneers' defense has given up just 677 total yards (169.3 YPG) and 32 points and have allowed just 1 offensive touchdown in those 4 contests. Tampa Bay has limited the opposition to fewer than 250 total yards in six straight games dating back to '98. The Bucs have limited the opposition to 17 or fewer points in four straight games dating back to '98. Including playoffs, after throwing just one touchdown pass and 10 interceptions (3 returned for scores) during Tampa Bay's 0-5 start in '96, Buccaneers QB Trent Dilfer has thrown 57 TD passes and 45 INTs (7 returned for scores) in his last 48 outings (26-22). Including playoffs (1996-99), Dilfer has thrown 55 interceptions in his last 53 games, 10 of those returned for touchdowns. The Buccaneers have returned 1,389 kickoffs in their 24-year history (1976-99) and have never scored a touchdown on a kickoff return.

After scoring at least 24 points in each of their 18 games (including playoffs) in 1998, the Vikings have been limited to 20 or fewer points in each of their three contests in '99. Since 1996, the Vikings have 83 takeaways in 34 wins, 17 takeaways in 17 losses in 51 regular-season contests. The Buccaneers have forced 20 turnovers in 10 wins, eight turnovers in nine losses dating back to '98.

Things To Look For: As long as Tony Dungy can keep QB Trent Dilfer in check, the Buccaneers could make some serious noise in the NFC as their relentless defensive unit should have some success against a Vikings' offensive front that has not played up to par. But Minnesota's athletic defenders have been known to make some big plays as well, and Dungy's club must do a good job of hanging onto the football.

Etc.: Vikings WR Cris Carter (103) needs 2 touchdowns to tie Don Hutson (105) for 9th place on the NFL's all-time touchdowns scored list. Carter (10,672) needs 44 yards to tie Stanley Morgan (10,716) for 12th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list.

Since 1996 (including playoffs), the Buccaneers are 27-26 under head coach Tony Dungy, including just 10-16 vs. NFC Central rivals. They are 19-54 on the road in the 1990s (1-0 in '99). The Viking are 36-23 vs. NFC Central rivals (including playoffs) since '92 (under head coach Dennis Green) after going 6-10 vs. divisional competition from 1990-91, however Minnesota is just 19-18 (including playoffs) in its last 37 contests vs. NFC Central rivals dating back to 1994.