The New York Giants are lucky to still be on top the NFC East despite a crappy defense that once again cost them a win on Sunday. But that’s how things go in that rough and tumble division. Speaking of wild divisions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing in one as well in the NFC South, where they are currently in last place. The Bucs are coming off a morale-boosting win, though, against the Atlanta Falcons. Will the Giants bounce back? Or will the Bucs make it two in a row?
For more Week 9 game previews, you can also read our breakdown of Rams vs. Vikings and Dolphins vs. Bills.
[sc:Football ]New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview and Prediction
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
When: Sunday, November 8, 4:05 PM ET
Line: New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – see all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the New York Giants (4-4)
[sc:NFL240banner ]Eli Manning played like a man possessed on Sunday, but even his god-like performance wasn’t enough to propel the Giants past New Orleans. No thanks to the Giants defense that allowed New Orleans to rack up 614 total yards, Manning’s epic performance was put to waste in a 52-49 loss to the Saints.
Manning was simply in the zone against New Orleans, as he passed for 350 yards and six touchdowns without an interception on 30 of 41 completions. He had an easy time finding Odell Beckham Jr., who caught eight passes for 130 yards and three touchdowns.
Manning and Beckham will once again be at the forefront of the Giants’ attack next Sunday against Tampa Bay’s susceptible defense that allows 28.4 points per game. Manning can only do so much, though, so the defense will have to forget their garbage performance in Week 8 and find a way to avoid further embarrassment. The Giants defense has been a punching bag all season long, as their stop unit gives up 316.1 passing yards per game.
It would help the Giants’ secondary big time if they could get Prince Amukamara (pectoral injury) back on the field, but the status of the cornerback remains cloudy as of the moment. While it’s uncertain what Jason Pierre-Paul could do minus a couple of fingers, the Giants nevertheless could use his presence on its pass rush. The pass rush is not something the Giants could be proud of, as the unit only has nine sacks to show, the fewest in the NFL.
The Giants are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven road games.
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Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)
The Bucs had a reason to celebrate on Sunday, but not before holding their collective breaths, as they nearly squandered a 17-point lead in a 23-20 overtime win over Atlanta. It’s a nice win to take home for in Week 9 for the Bucs, who are just 1-9 SU and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games in Tampa.
The Bucs were led by their backfield, which burned rubber for 117 yards and a touchdown scored by quarterback Jameis Winston. Doug Martin, meanwhile, topped the team with 71 rushing yards on 23 carries. The Bucs are fourth in the league in rushing yards (131.3 per game), but may turn to Winston a little bit more against the Giants, considering New York’s defensive troubles against the pass.
Winston, who passed for 177 yards and a touchdown on 16 of 29 attempts in the Atlanta game, hasn’t been picked in three games after giving up seven interceptions from Week 1 to 4. He should have more confidence going up against the Giants’ toothless pass rush and secondary.
That said, Winston might still miss the services of Vincent Jackson, who is currently dealing with a knee injury. That leaves Winston with a receiving corps that has Mike Evans, Donteea Dye, and Russell Shepard. The 6-5 Evans is going to be a matchup problem for the tattered Giants secondary. Evans leads the Bucs with 386 receiving yards and a touchdown on 24 receptions thus far this season.
As for their defense, Tampa Bay is 15th in the NFL against the pass (352.1 yards per game) and 16 against the rush (107.6).
Writer’s Prediction
New York wins, 32-24.
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