A Workmanlike Victory for Buccaneers

With their top two running backs injured, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers called on Vince Workman to carry a heavy load against the Minnesota Vikings.

Workman more than doubled his season rushing total Sunday night and also caught seven passes for 65 yards in a 23-10 victory that knocked the Vikings out of a tie for second place in the NFC Central.

Craig Erickson threw 27 yards to Horace Copeland to set up Workman’s one-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run and Milton Mack returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown on the second play after halftime for Tampa Bay (3-7).

The Bucs, who lost their previous two games, entered Sunday ranked 26th in the NFL in offense and defense.

“I hope this is a turning point,” Workman said. “You can see us coming together as a team. The offensive line did a great job of opening holes, and Craig made some great moves to get the ball to me.”

The loss was the third in four games for Minnesota (5-5), which could have joined Green Bay in moving within one game of Detroit in the race for the division title.

“Tampa Bay outplayed us in every phase of the game,” said Minnesota Coach Dennis Green.

Workman, an off-season free-agent acquisition who had rushed for only 53 yards in nine games, gained 58 in 20 carries in the absence of Reggie Cobb and Gary Anderson. Erickson completed 19 of 32 passes for 239 yards and no interceptions.