Buccaneers Win Under New Coach, 26-13 : NFC: Testaverde runs for 105 yards and a touchdown to lead Tampa Bay over Vikings, who bench Gannon.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t spend a lot of time moping around when Ray Perkins was fired as coach. They got ready for the Minnesota Vikings.

Taking advantage of an extra week of preparation and the relaxed atmosphere created by interim coach Richard Williamson, the Buccaneers stunned the Vikings, 26-13, Sunday and stayed alive in the playoff picture with their first sweep of a season series with an NFC Central Division rival.

Vinny Testaverde, criticized at times for his reluctance to run out of the pocket, scrambled for 105 yards and one touchdown in seven carries before a crowd of 47,272 that watched Williamson’s debut end with a Gatorade drenching led by the Buccaneers’ quarterback.

“He prepared us well,” Testaverde said. “He gave us a positive attitude and positive outlook on everything. One of the things he told us was go out and have a lot of fun.

“It’s been as loose and relaxed as I’ve ever seen it since I’ve been here,” the fourth-year quarterback said. “I think that’s a big part in why we won.”

Testaverde scored on a 48-yard run in the first quarter and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Mark Carrier for a 23-0 halftime lead. He also set up three of Steve Christie’s four field goals as the Buccaneers (6-8) took advantage of eight Minnesota turnovers.

The victory was the second in a row for Tampa Bay (6-8), which stopped a six-game losing streak two weeks ago but couldn’t save Perkins’ job. Williamson replaced him on Dec. 3 and had extra time to prepare for Minnesota because of Tampa Bay’s open date last week.

The Vikings (6-8) lost for the ninth consecutive time outdoors and face an uphill battle to claim the wild-card playoff spot that a five-game winning streak left them in a position to chase.

Among the Vikings’ eight turnovers were two fumbles that stopped scoring threats. And an interception by the Buccaneers’ Rodney Rice set up a first-half field goal.

Viking quarterback Rich Gannon was benched after completing only two of seven passes for eight yards in the first half.

Wade Wilson, playing for the first time since suffering a thumb injury in Week 3, then threw for 374 yards, including 75 on a scoring pass play to Hassan Jones.