Vikings offense sputters in loss to Bucs

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rookie Doug Martin racked up 214 total yards and two touchdowns, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew out Minnesota 36-17 on Thursday night to hand the Vikings their first home loss of the season.

Martin took a screen pass 64 yards for a score, one of three touchdowns thrown by Josh Freeman, to give Tampa Bay a 27-10 lead 1:21 into the second half.

Then Martin, the first-round draft pick from Boise State, capped a drive of more than 9 minutes with a 1-yard muscle into the end zone midway through the fourth quarter to crush the comeback opportunity for Minnesota (5-3).

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 Vikings schedule stiffens in the second half of the season. Their next game is Nov. 4 in Seattle against the Seahawks.

Martin surpassed 100 yards rushing for the first time all season by halftime, including a 41-yard gain on a delayed draw that set up Barth’s 28-yard field goal that made it 3-0.

The Buccaneers won only two of new coach Greg Schiano’s first six games, but all four of their losses were by seven points or less.

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