Viking Defense Makes Its Point Again : NFC: Cornerback Parker scores for third time in three games and five turnovers cost Tampa Bay in 36-13 loss.

Once again, Minnesota’s offensive-minded defense made it easy for Warren Moon.

Cornerback Anthony Parker scored his third touchdown in the last three games, returning an interception 41 yards, and the Vikings forced five turnovers on the way to a 36-13 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Moon threw for 182 yards and one touchdown and Fuad Reveiz kicked five field goals as the Vikings dominated despite producing only two touchdowns.

Terry Allen rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown for the Vikings (6-2), and the defense intercepted three passes, recovered fumbles by quarterbacks Craig Erickson and Trent Dilfer and scored for the fifth time this year.

Parker had an interception return against the New York Giants on Oct. 10 and picked up a teammate’s fumble and scored against Green Bay last week.

“It’s just something we’ve been able to do here. They stress it in practice,” Parker said of the Vikings’ 15 defensive touchdowns in their last 36 regular-season games.

The fifth-year cornerback from Arizona State became the first defensive player to score in three consecutive games for Minnesota.

The Buccaneers (2-6), outscored 111-42 in their last three games, were fortunate to only trail, 23-7, at halftime.

Moon threw behind a wide-open Adrian Cooper in the end zone before settling for a 21-yard field goal late in the second quarter.

He barely missed Qadry Ismail in the end zone on consecutive plays before Reveiz kicked a 48-yarder for the 16-point half-time lead.