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A16 sports
Monday 14 deceMber 2020

Brady throws for 2 TDs, Buccaneers wear down Vikings 26-14

By FRED GOODALL Gronkowski. Ronald Jones
AP Sports Writer had a 1-yard touchdown
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — If run and Ryan Succop
the Tampa Bay Bucca- kicked field goals of 18 and
neers don’t end the NFL’s 46 yards.
second-longest playoff The defense sacked Kirk
drought, they can only Cousins six times, the last
blame themselves. producing a fumble that
The Bucs (8-5) bolstered ended any chance of a
their chances of their first rally. Cousins finished 24 of
postseason berth in 13 years 37 for 225 yards, one touch-
with Sunday’s 26-14 victory down and no interceptions.
over Minnesota. The Vikings Minnesota’s chances were
(6-7) remain in contention, undermined by Bailey who
too, despite another poor missed an extra point and
performance by kicker Dan field goals of 36, 54 and 46
Bailey. yards.
“We control our destiny. ... Bailey nearly cost the Vi-
That’s all we’ve wanted, kings the previous week,
to be able to set ourselves too, missing two extra
up to be playing football in points and a potential win-
January,” Bucs linebacker ning kick before nailing a
Shaquil Barrett said, “and field goal in overtime to
we’re in that position right Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones II (27) dives over the line to score on a 1-yard beat Jacksonville.
now.” touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, “I don’t know what the
Tampa Bay hasn’t made Dec. 13, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Associated Press struggles were. He missed
the playoffs since 2007 and one to the left and pushed
doesn’t have a postseason Tom Brady threw for 196 NFL Commissioner Roger of their opportunities with a three to the right,” Vikings
win since their Super Bowl yards and two touchdowns, Goodell, who wore a mask balanced attack. coach Mike Zimmer said,
run 18 years ago. It entered rebounding from losing while taking in portions of “I was asked early this adding he’s yet to make a
Sunday coming off a bye three home games against the game from the stands week about our identity … decision on any changes.
and holding the sixth play- division title contenders in a and a suite at Raymond I think we just showed it,” “I am really disappointed. I
off spot in the NFC, with four-week span. James Stadium. Arians said. “We can do have a lot of faith and con-
the Vikings nipping at their “It was a good win. We’re Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook any damn thing we want fidence in him, but the last
heels after winning five of obviously going to need to rushed for 102 yards against to do.” two weeks haven’t been
six following a 1-5 start. just keep making progress,” the league’s No. 1-ranked Brady improved to 15-4 good,” Zimmer added. “I
“It was huge. We had to do said Brady, who was 15 of rushing defense, and the in 19 regular-season starts love the kid…but I don’t
this,” coach Bruce Arians 23 with no turnovers before Vikings had the ball nearly following a bye, tossing TD know.”
said. “It was a big game for a socially distanced crowd twice as long. The Bucs, passes of 48 yards to Scotty Cousins said the loss wasn’t
us.” of 16,031 that included however, made the most Miller and 2 yards to Rob on Bailey.q
Another QB banged up, bad luck piles

up for Bengals

Brandon Allen, the former nati before he tore up his will likely be Finley called on
practice squad quarter- left knee. Allen, who hadn’t to face one of the league’s
back who took over when played in an NFL game in a best defenses.
Joe Burrow was lost for the year, has looked progres- After the game, Allen said
season to a knee injury, sively better in the three he thinks the injury is a bruise
limped off the field with a games he’s started, but the but couldn’t predict if he’d
problem with his right knee Bengals (2-10-1) have lost be ready for the Pittsburgh
late in the 30-7 loss to the them all. Ryan Finley, the game.
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Deante Burton (33) sacks Dallas Cowboys on Sun- other backup, relieved Al- “I tried to stay out there
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen (8) in the second day. len against the Cowboys. and walk it off,” he said.
half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. Burrow, the Heisman Trophy He was sacked on two of The Bengals have jour-
Associated Press winner who led LSU to the the first three plays and neyman Kevin Hogan on
By MITCH STACY worse this season, the Cin- national title and then was couldn’t move the chains. the practice squad, and
AP Sports Writer cinnati Bengals might be the top overall pick in the If Allen is unable to go on it stands to reason that he
CINCINNATI (AP) — As if down another quarter- draft, showed the potential Dec. 21 against the Steelers could get a chance, too, if
their luck couldn’t get any back. to right the ship in Cincin- — in prime time, no less — it Allen is sidelined.q