On Sunday afternoon, two NFC teams clash as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) face off against the New York Giants (2-8) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Both squads are entering this matchup after a bye week, providing them a chance to regroup. The last encounter between these teams was in 2021, where the Buccaneers secured a decisive 20-point victory at home. Recently, Tampa Bay suffered a narrow defeat against the San Francisco 49ers, losing 23-20 but managing to cover as 6.5-point underdogs. Meanwhile, the Giants find themselves on the heels of a 20-17 loss to the Panthers in Munich, where they were favored by 6.5 points. Currently, Tampa Bay is favored by 6 points on the road. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM EST and will be broadcasted regionally on FOX.
The question remains: Which team will capitalize on their bye week? Continue reading for insights on the Buccaneers vs. Giants matchup.
Buccaneers Streak Struggles
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter this contest having lost four consecutive games. Despite the streak, they remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, currently sitting second in the NFC South. The Atlanta Falcons have two more wins, yet with seven games remaining, Tampa Bay is not out of contention. Their recent losses came against formidable opponents, including the Ravens, Falcons, Chiefs, and 49ers. In their most recent outing, quarterback Baker Mayfield managed only 116 passing yards with one touchdown against San Francisco.
Coach Todd Bowles addressed the team’s recent struggles, stating, “There’s nothing wrong with how hard we’re playing and how tough we’re playing, but we have to finish games. … We’re making too many mistakes at the end.” Mayfield has been the sole quarterback for the Buccaneers this season, amassing 2,505 passing yards with a 70.6% completion rate and a 24-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. While he shows mobility, he has not rushed as frequently as in earlier seasons, recording 192 rushing yards thus far. The standout in the backfield is rookie Bucky Irving, who has tallied 492 rushing yards with a 5.1 yards per carry average and four touchdowns. With Chris Godwin sidelined and Mike Evans listed as questionable, tight end Cade Otton emerges as the primary target, boasting 49 receptions for 456 yards and four touchdowns.
Tampa Bay ranks fifth in the league with an average of 27.9 points scored per game. However, their defense struggles, allowing 26.6 points on average, placing them 27th in the league. Linebacker Lavonte David leads the defense with 72 tackles and contributes to the pass rush with three sacks, while defensive tackle Vita Vea tops the team with five sacks. The Buccaneers’ secondary has managed five interceptions this season, with cornerback Zyon McCollum recording two.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR Mike Evans, OT Tristan Wirfs, CB Zyon McCollum, CB Troy Hill, S Tykee Smith
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Giants Shift Gears at Quarterback
The New York Giants have made a significant change by moving on from quarterback Daniel Jones, who has fallen from a $35 million starter to a fourth-string player and now a free agent. This shift indicates the team’s acknowledgment of the contract’s failure, prompting them to explore options for a new quarterback, whether through the draft or free agency. For this game, Tommy DeVito is expected to start, with Drew Locke as the backup. The Giants are currently on a five-game losing streak, with only two victories to show for their efforts this season. In their last game, rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. stood out, rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Panthers.
DeVito remains focused on football, stating, “All the fun and games outside, it was fun. That was last year. I’m sticking to football now. Not that I wasn’t before.” Although he has not played this season, DeVito had experience last year, participating in nine games with a 64.0% completion rate and an 8-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also has the ability to run, accumulating 195 rushing yards last season. Rushing duties have shifted to Tracy, who has 545 rushing yards and three touchdowns, achieving over 100 yards in two of his last three games.
The Giants currently sit at the bottom of the NFL in scoring, averaging only 15.6 points per game. Their defensive performance ranks 16th, yielding 22.2 points per game. Linebacker Bobby Okereke leads the team with 75 tackles, contributing to two of the team’s 36 sacks. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II is a standout, leading the team with nine sacks. However, the defense has struggled to create turnovers, with only one interception recorded this season by linebacker Darius Muasau.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR Darius Slayton, DT Dexter Lawrence II, LB Kayvon Thibodeaux, LB Darius Muasau, S Tyler Nubin
Key Predictions for Buccaneers vs. Giants
