The Buccaneers have never won consecutive games under coach Lovie Smith. They’ll get their fifth opportunity to do so when they host the shell-shocked Giants Sunday.
New York set a team record for most points scored in a loss in last week’s 52-49 verdict at New Orleans and will attempt to end a seven-game losing skid during the month of November.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1.5
New York Giants -1.5
Over/Under 47.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
News about the possible return of Jason Pierre-Paul got Giants’ bettors thinking their defense might be able to stop someone. The opening line was wagered a point to -2.5. New York surpassed the total for this game in last week’s loss and the Giants should be able to dent Tampa Bay’s D. The total spiked a half-point to 48 and the over has some value.
KEY INJURIES
Larry Donnell – The Giants tight end injured his neck last week in New Orleans and was held out of practice. He is questionable to play on Sunday. Will Tye is the only other tight end on the Giants roster, though they do have Jerome Cunningham and Matt LaCosse on their practice squad.
Jacquies Smith – Did not return after suffering an ankle injury in the second half of last week’s game and is doubtful to play Sunday. The Bucs’ defensive end leads the team with 5.0 sacks and three forced fumbles. Howard Jones is up next on the team’s depth chart.
KEY MISMATCH
Drew Brees was the latest quarterback to rip the Giants, who rank last in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 315.4 yards per game. He became the eighth quarterback in NFL history to throw for seven touchdowns in a single game. The miserable performance was a continuation of a troubling trend for the Giants, who have allowed at least 300 yards passing in four games this season. New York also ranks last in total defense, 19th in rush defense and 24th in scoring defense. Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo isn’t sleeping well these days. While Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston claims he’s not Drew Brees, he will enter the game with some momentum. He has thrown for four touchdowns and no interceptions in his past three games. Winston also posted a season-best 93.0 QBR in an overtime victory over Atlanta last week, helping the Bucs improve to 3-4.
KEY STAT
9.0 – New York’s league-low quarterback sack total. That number will improve when JPP gets back and that’s likely to happen this week. Tampa Bay’s rebuilt offensive line has surrendered just 14 sacks.
BETTING ANGLE
New York’s NFL-worst defense could be getting a huge boost this weekend with the possible return of Pierre-Paul, who’s been sidelined since blowing off a digit on his right hand in a Fourth of July fireworks mishap. The leaky unit certainly could use a shot in the arm. New York has the fewest sacks in the NFL with nine, and was torched last week by Brees, who completed 39 passes for 505 yards and a NFL record-tying seven touchdowns. JPP led the team with 12.5 sacks last season and has amassed 42.5 since being selected in the first round in 2010. The Giants are close to getting starting cornerback Prince Amukumara back, too. He practiced this week for the first time since hurting a pectoral on Oct. 11 and is likely a game-time decision. Expect the Bucs to attack both players if they are in the lineup, but don’t expect Tampa Bay to put up the kind of numbers New Orleans did last week against the G-Men.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Bucs have handled Winston perfectly this season, putting together a balanced attack and not asking him to do too much. Doug Martin has been a solid back and his presence has taken pressure off Winston. With Vincent Jackson shelved and Mike Evans nursing a sore back, the Bucs passing attack takes a hit leaving Martin as the man to pick up the slack. While the Giants got smacked around last week, they should have an easier defensive assignment this week. I expect the Giants to start fast, forcing Winston to make plays. While he’s been better recently, he’s still a mistake-prone rookie and will be harassed into making mistakes, especially if Pierre-Paul and/or Amukumara are back in the lineup. Statistically Tampa Bay has a better defense, but the Giants will bounce back because Eli Manning will outplay Winston and that’s good for at least a touchdown margin.
New York 31, Tampa Bay 24
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