Giants (0-3) vs Bucs (1-1) The
Buccaneers played their game last Sunday in Minnesota. They fell behind 28-3 in
the third quarter and that's all the points the Vikings really needed. There was
some scoring, but Tampa lost the game 34-17. The Giants were down 14-0, but
came back strong in the fourth quarter. Then with the game looking to go into
overtime, a 61 yard field goal gave the Eagles a 27-24 win with the clock running
out.
Giants
- Eagles Wrap-Up Tampa
Bay Buccaneers They played strong in the
second half of last season and that got them to a 9-7 record for their first winning
season in six years. They couldn't play in their season opener at home with Miami
because of Hurricane Irma and that game has been pushed off to their bye week.
They faced the Chicago Bears at home in the following week and came out with the
force of a hurricane against the Bears, crushing them 29-7. Last week in Minnesota
things did not go as well in a one sided loss. They were down a few starting defensive
players and lost more of them during that game. Tampa
Bay Buccaneers Offense They
have high hopes for third year quarterback Jameis Winston and are looking for
him to improve on his touchdown-interception ratio, which stood at 57-42 going
into this season. Now so far in two games he has thrown 3 touchdowns and has 3
interceptions. They signed on DeSean Jackson to help Winston with his deep passing
game. Jackson is a credible threat especially going up against Eli Apple, who
seems to be having problems this season. Mike Evans had 96 receptions last
season and 81 of them were first downs. Evans also had 12 touchdowns. Janoris
Jenkins will have his hands full trying to deal with that. The running game was
not the best last year, and though Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber did well
in the first game, falling behind early last week, the team rushed the ball only
9 times for 26 yards. Tampa
Bay Buccaneers Defense They
were playing against a back up quarterback last week and were dismal. Filling
in for an injured Sam Bradford, backup Case Keenum threw for a career-best 369
yards and 3 touchdowns. Injuries to the defense were the main cause, though this
particular backup, an undrafted former practice squad player, has done well against
the Bucs no matter what team he happens to be playing on. Sorely needed cornerback
Brent Grimes will likely be back for this game. Grimes has had at least four interceptions
in each of the past four years. Special teams player Ryan Smith got his first
start filling in for Grimes and he gave up two touchdown passes. Tampa Bay didn't
generate much of a pass rush and the secondary was hurting without Grimes. The
Bucs were tied for ninth in sacks last year, but have only one after two games
so far. Tackle Gerald McCoy will give the Giants their biggest pressure up the
middle and help to try to destroy their running game. Tampa will probably be missing
linebackers Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David, and safety TJ Ward. Giants
Offense The Giants have won their last
two games with the Bucs. The last time Eli Manning faced them was in 2015 when
Lovie Smith was the head coach. Manning threw for 213 yards with 2 touchdowns
and had 2 interceptions. Before that in 2012, Manning
threw for 510 yards and 3 touchdowns, but that was because he was throwing to
make up for 3 interceptions. You probably won't remember much until I remind you,
but Tom Coughlin and Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano got into it after Manning was
knocked down after Schiano instructed his players to go all out to try to force
a fumble on a kneel-down play. Dirk Koetter is now the current coach and Ben McAdoo
likely won't see any antics this Sunday except maybe from his own foolish players
after a successful touchdown play. The offense showed signs of life last week
in their loss to the Eagles. All of it came in the fourth quarter when they scored
24 points. Odell Beckham Jr. played more like his old self in his second game
back, and McAdoo has made it known this week that if Beckham is one on one, he
wants the ball thrown to him. Manning will likely go no huddle much of the game
and throw as quickly as possible as he did last week to make up for his weak offensive
line. As for the rushing game, the Giants have totaled 146 yards on the ground
in three games. The Tampa Bay fans are celebrating. Giants
Defense The
Giants have not played well against the run this year, giving up 129, 138 and
then 193 yards on the ground in their three games. They catch a break because
lead running back Doug Martin is serving a three-game suspension. Martin would
have been in this game except Tampa's opening game was postponed. In this game
the defense would get a big boost if Manning's offense can jump to a nice lead,
as Tampa tends to pull the trigger fast on their ground game. That said, Eli
Apple beware. There's no way any quarterback, especially one with a strong arm,
would resist throwing against his coverage from what they've seen on tape. The
good news is that defensive end Olivier Vernon is likely to play and that middle
linebacker B.J. Goodson is expected to start at middle linebacker after missing
two games. The bad news is that Jameis Winston is a mobile quarterback and can
throw on the run. Overall The
Giants average 47 yards per game. Tampa Bay averages 43. What kind of a game do
you think this will be? Right, lots of balls flying though the air. Both teams
will try to establish the run, and the Bucs will likely have more success with
that, but big passing plays put points on the board when you need it. Both teams
have receiving talent, but I'll take Eli Manning's accuracy over Jameis
Winston. With Tampa's defense still hurting,
the Giants should take this one. NFC
East Games Sunday at 1:00pm Rams (2-1)
at Cowboys (2-1) Sunday at 4:05pm Bucs (1-1) at Giants (0-3) Sunday at 4:05pm
Eagles (2-1) at Chargers (0-3) Monday at 8:30pm Redskins (2-1) at Chiefs (3-0)
The Cowboys are the only NFC East team favored to win in these games.
Notes. Giants
Eli Manning is 5-0 against the Bucs. Giants
former player Tiki Barber will be in the Fox broadcast for this Bucs-Giants game. Giants
are the only team in the NFL that has yet to reach 100 yards rushing. Buccaneers
Jameis Winston threw
for franchise record totals of 4,090 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2016. Buccaneers
Jameis Winston
is the youngest player in NFL history to throw 50 touchdown passes. Buccaneers
Mike Evans was
targeted 173 times, the most in the NFL last season.
Check out.
Giants
On The Air. Listen to the Radio Broadcasts. Giants
DVDs and Posters.
TeamGiants on Twitter.
Next Games Oct 8 Chargers at Giants.
Giants Tickets - Buy
or Sell
Oct 15 Giants at Broncos. Giants Tickets
- Buy
or Sell
|
Go Giants! #1 Fan Charm Bracelet 13 magnificently
crafted charms, plated with 24K gold and sterling silver. Genuine SwarovskiŽ crystals Officially
licensed by the NFL. Gift box. Go
Giants! #1 Fan Charm Bracelet |
|
|