Try as they might, the New York Giants (0-3) still come into Week Four of the NFL season winless. To get out of the hole, they’ll have to take down the young and talented Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) at Raymond James Stadium Sunday.
The game will be shot into your face by the FOX broadcasting network at 4:05 p.m.
The Game: New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
O/U: 44.5
The History
The Giants and Buccaneers have played 20 times since 1977. New York holds a 14-6 advantage in the all time series.
In fact, the Buccaneers haven’t beaten the Giants since November, 24, 2003 in a 19-13 game at Raymond James Stadium. It was just another classic Kerry Collins vs Brad Johnson quarterback battle. Johnson completed 22 of 32 passing for 269 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Collins was ass, throwing two picks and completing 18 of 34 for 160 yards.
NEW YORK GIANTS (0-3)
After 11 quarters of futility on offense, the Giants finally discovered the right combo moves in their fourth quarter comeback attempt at the Philadelphia Eagles last week. New York put up 24 points in just 15 minutes of game time. Eli Manning finished the game 35 of 47 for 366 yards and three touchdowns.
Sterling Shepard had a big game, catching seven passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. Odell Beckham Jr. looked fully recovered from his ankle injury, catching nine balls for 79 yards and two touchdowns. And, hey, Brandon Marshall actually showed up on the stat sheet. He caught eight passes for 66 yards, more than doubling his offensive output for the season.
Once again, the Giants could produce no running game whatsoever. They tried three different backs and none of them gained more than 22 yards. The offensive line kept Manning’s jersey clean for the most part, so you can’t put all the blame on them. This is a team that just has a bad running game and poorly designed plays.
New York’s defense got to Carson Wentz three times and recorded six tackles for a loss. They didn’t produce any turnovers, but kept the Giants in the game until the end. Jonathan Cassillas probably won’t play Sunday. He’s listed as questionable and hasn’t practiced this week. B.J. Goodson and Oliver Vernon are labeled with the “Q” too, but I expect both to suit up.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-1)
The Buccaneers had a complete meltdown in Minnesota last week. Jameis Winston tossed three interceptions and Jaquizz Rodgers was absolutely brutalized in the running game, gaining just 15 yards total. DeSean Jackson did haul in four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown, but Mike Evans was controlled for the most part by Xavier Rhodes and the Vikings secondary. Can New York do the same?
What should really concern Tampa Bay is how poorly their pass defense played. Case Keenum, in case you hadn’t heard, has been pretty terrible as a starting quarterback in the NFL. That’s not to say he hasn’t won some games before last Sunday, but he’s never been the reason the team he was on won those games. Last week in Minneapolis he was and the Buccaneers can shoulder all the blame.
The Bucs stopped absolutely nothing in that game. Keenum completed 25 of 33 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns. Dalvin Cook rushed 27 times for 97 yards and a score and added five catches for 72 yards. Stefon Diggs is probably still catching passes against the Tampa defense after finishing with eight hauls for 173 yards and two touchdowns. It was a rough day.
It won’t get an easier in this game. Kwon Alexander is still out with a hamstring injury and Lavonte David is listed as doubtful with an ankle and hasn’t practiced all week. Neither has T.J. Ward and he probably won’t play either.
The Pick
I was shocked at how poorly the Buccaneers played last week on both sides of the ball. The weather shouldn’t be a factor and neither will the Giants running game. They shouldn’t need it. Yep, I’m picking another upset. Giants 31, Buccaneers 27
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 7-9
Against the spread: 6-10
Season
Straight up: 28-19
Against the spread: 22-25
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