The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the New York Giants on Sunday before taking off on a huge run of away games. This will be a good opportunity for a win and a chance to move in a positive direction. After all, you have to beat bad teams to be a winning team. Let’s take a look at the game.
Stopping the Run
Much like week two the Tampa Bay BUccaneers and Todd Bowls is dialing up a game plan to stop another top tier running back. Saquon Barkley is obviously the key to the Giants offense much like Christian McCaffrey is for the Panthers. McCaffrey was held to just 37 yards rushing and 16 yards on two catches last week. The Buccaneers are eying a repeat performance. Barkley has rushed for over 100 yards in the first two games but is not the same multi-purpose tool as McCaffrey and could allow this team to really pin its ears back. The current speed on the Buccaneers roster lends itself well from sideline to sideline to contain the run. Bowls will have the defense ready.
Bruce Arians said it best himself in a press conference, ”For us, we’ve got to stop No. 26. It all starts and ends with him,”.
Missing White
Unfortunately Devin White will be out this week as he rests his injured knee. His break out game will be postponed to another time. Until then, Kevin Minter will get the go-ahead and start in his place. Last week he racked up nine total tackles and a quarterback hit. He will look to get into this weeks game quickly and often. His strength is in his utilization against the run game so he will be a factor in stopping Barkley. Having good depth is key to being a winning team.
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The New Young Gun
Most likely the biggest storyline for this game on Sunday is the benching of Eli Manning and the start of the Daniel Jones era. He ended the preseason 29 of 34 with 416 yards two touchdowns leaving some fans to call for him to start the season. But that was preseason and the speed and schemes will be much faster and difficult to read. He will get a heavy dose of Shaquil Barrett and the defense will attempt to stifle his biggest weapon, Barkley. The Giants are lacking at wide receiver with Sterling Shepard being thier number one receiver. I would anticipate that Jones finds himself targeting Evan Engram frequently as a check-down option. This Sunday we will find out how Jones feels pressure in the pocket and reacts.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Winston Factor
Buccaneers fans already know the situation. They have been dealing with it for years. The Jameis Winston factor is in play each and every week. Can he remain calm and not try to win the game on ever pass? Can he keep from creating turnovers? Last week he did a good job of limiting mistakes. A far cry from week ones winnable game thrown away by two pick-sixes.
The Prediction
I foresee the Todd Bowles effect in full force this week. The team may not be able to contain Barkley as much as they did McCaffrey but they will prevent him from running away with the game and opening up the pass. Winston will see some an improvement in yardage and completion percentage this week with a second game without an interception.
Jones will struggle at first. Nerves, the speed of the game, and a Bowles defensive scheme will make his first start a difficult one. He will however improve in the second half from the first.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers win and improve to 2-1: Buccaneers 27, Giants 13
