New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview
Where: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
When: Sunday, October 1, 2017 – 4:05 PM ET
Line: New York Giants (+140) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-160); total: 44.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
NFL News and Previews
- Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview - October 2, 2017
- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
Betting on the New York Giants (0-3)
Week 3 was all too familiar for the Giants. They lost in heartbreaking fashion to division rivals Philadelphia Eagles, 27-24, where they gave up two field goals in the final 51 seconds, including a 61-yarder that concluded the game. It came after the G-Men roared back from three scoreless quarters and poured in all of their points in the final frame.
If you want to be positive about it, though, the contest featured the Giants’ best and most aggressive offensive attack of the season. Eli Manning was 35-for-47 for 366 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, connecting with his three key wide receivers – Odell Beckham, Brandon Marshall, and Sterling Shepard – 24 times for 278 yards and three TDs. Shepard, in particular, caught seven passes for a career-high 133 yards and a TD. It was also the wideouts’ best statistical performances this season.
Such potency in the passing game is a sign that they are more than capable of still making things work offensively. The offensive line, for all its faults, showed improvement in protecting Manning, as the group didn’t give up a sack and only allowed four QB hits. Their run blocking (the running backs only had 2.9 yards per carry) and random mental lapses will still be a question mark, but we should see it be better as the year progresses.
Not much positivity can be generated on the defensive side, with the pass defense only ranking in the teens and the front seven allowing 153.3 rushing yards per game. We’ll see if they can shine more against the similarly erratic offense of the Buccaneers.
The Giants are 2-6 in their last eight games on the road (3-4-1- ATS).
Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)
The Buccaneers took a couple of steps back from their big 2017 debut, as they lost to the Sam Bradford-less Minnesota Vikings this past Sunday, 34-17.
An uninspired defense killed the Bucs, as career back-up QB, Case Keenum, carved them up for 369 yards and three TDs on 25-for-33 passing, while Stefon Diggs burned their secondary for 173 yards and a pair of TD grabs. It’s a kind of defensive effort that will lead to a similar result on Week 4, since they’ll face a team with a more loaded receiving corps (regardless of how underwhelming the Giants offense have been overall).
Defense wasn’t the only area where Tampa regressed, though. On offense, although Jameis Winston had 328 yards and two TD tosses, he threw a trio of picks, which could also be partially blamed with the lack of help from his backfield, with the group only having 22 yards on 2.7 yards per carry.
We may see yet another ugly output from the RBs, with primary back, Doug Martin, still owing the league one game in his suspension (substance abuse). They’ll have an interesting clash with the Giants’ underwhelming run defense, although when you consider talent and history of production, it’s Bucs’ men that appears to be the underdog in the fight.
Tampa has won five-straight games at home (4-1 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
The Bucs (-160) win and hand the Giants another gut-wrenching loss, 26-23.
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