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MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Vikings found their high-powered offense when they needed it most. Daunte Culpepper capped a long drive with an eight-yard touchdown run with 63 seconds remaining as the Vikings rallied for a dramatic 20-16 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Trailing 16-13, struggling to find their offense and on the verge of their first 0-3 start in 34 years, the Vikings embarked on a journey that may have saved their season. Taking over on the Tampa Bay 4 with 6:21 remaining, the Vikings were able to drive the ball down the field against one of the NFL's best defenses. Culpepper, who has been the target of criticism from star receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss, led the way. Culpepper completed all six of his passes for 83 yards on the 11-play, 96-yard drive. The biggest completion was a 37-yarder to tight end Byron Chamberlain, who made an acrobatic catch over three Tampa Bay defenders down the right sideline that moved the ball to the Bucs 3. Following a false start penalty, Culpepper called his own number on a quarterback draw and went airborne, getting hit by linebackers Sheldon Quarles and Derrick Brooks before landing just over the goal line. The officials reviewed the play but it stood, giving the Vikings a 20-16 lead. Culpepper explained that the play was designed to be a pass. "The linebackers vacated, everything was covered," Culpepper said. "We had three receivers and they had five defenders. Chances were slim that I was going to get the pass in." Culpepper and Moss each also talked about recent turmoil that has plagued the team "We stuck together and that is what championship teams are made of," Culpepper said. "They prove that when everything is against you, you stick together." "The first couple of games we really weren't in sync," Moss said. "We just had to come out here and execute and leave all the bickering and arguing at home. Just come back and play Viking football." Culpepper completed 30-of-44 passes for 322 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Culpepper's 30 completions were a career high, one better than his total in a game against Tampa Bay last season. "This was a game our guys really wanted because we have designs on trying to be world champions," said Vikings coach Dennis Green, whose team avoided starting 0-2 for the first time since 1967. Brad Johnson, who played for the Vikings from 1994-98, tried to lead Tampa Bay down the field in his first appearance back in Minnesota against his old team. Working with one timeout, Johnson moved the Bucs to the Minnesota 18 with 19 seconds left. But on second down, his pass intended for Keyshawn Johnson just short of the end zone, was deflected and intercepted by rookie cornerback Eric Kelly. Brad Johnson completed 20-of-34 passes for 224 yards and one interception. "They cheered for me when I came out," Brad Johnson said. "I had a great seven years in Minnesota. I have a lot of friends up here. It was great coming back home. It was great they were cheering for me." In last week's 17-10 loss at Chicago, the Vikings displayed their frustration in the form of numerous tantrums on the sidelines throughout much of the contest. On Sunday, the Vikings again almost let their emotion get the best of them again. Holding a 13-9 lead early in the fourth quarter, Minnesota stopped the Buccaneers shy of the end zone after Brad Johnson threw incomplete on 3rd-and-7 from the Vikings 12. But cornerback Kenny Wright was called for taunting Keyshawn Johnson, who dropped the ball inside the 10. On the next play, the Buccaneers took a 16-13 lead on Warrick Dunn's six-yard run up the middle. Dunn, who carried 11 times for 65 yards, suffered a sprained right foot on his scoring run and did not return. With the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter, the Buccaneers' defense came up with a big play on Minnesota's ensuing possesion after Ronde Barber intercepted Culpepper at the Tampa 38. The Bucs' much-maligned offense picked up one first down before punting and setting the stage for Culpepper's heroics. Tampa Bay also had its first scoring drive of the game set up by its defense, when Brooks intercepted Culpepper just across midfield. Brooks, a weakside linebacker, had a monster game and finished with 20 tackles. Brad Johnson and the Bucs were able to cash in. On 3rd-and-8 from the Minnesota 22, Brad Johnson found Keyshawn Johnson for 18 yards. But Tampa Bay was not able to reach the end zone and settled for Martin Gramatica's 25-yard field goal. "We've got to find a way to score touchdowns down there," Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy said. "It's tough to beat Minnesota with field goals." Keyshawn Johnson finished with seven catches for 96 yards. Culpepper and the Vikings were able to answer that score, moving 80 yards in 11 plays to take the lead. Culpepper, who had a key 27-yard completion to Chamberlain, capped the march with a a 13-yard TD pass to Carter with 34 seconds left in the opening quarter. It was Carter's 126th career touchdown, tying him with Hall of Famer Jim Brown for fourth place on the NFL's all-time list. Chamberlain was Culpepper's favorite target, with four catches for 88 yards. The Vikings, who scored just 23 points in their first two games, continued to move on their next possession, going 74 yards in 18 plays in 10:33. Gary Anderson capped that march with a 24-yard field goal with 2:55 left before intermission. Gramatica kicked a 25-yard field goal with 16 seconds left before halftime and he connected from 49 yards midway through the third quarter, pulling the Buccaneers within 10-9. Minnesota squandered a major opportunity to stretch the lead on its next possession after Culpepper found Randy Moss for 39 yards down the left sideline to the Tampa Bay 2. But the Vikings had to settle for Anderson's 29-yard field goal with 1:44 left in the period. Culpepper was on target in the first half, going 20-of-26 for 156 yards. Moss also had his best game of the season, with five receptions for 86 yards. "We executed our game plan early and that was to get the ball to the guys who were open," Moss said.
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