Gameday Tampa Bay!
October 1st, 2017
Game Three
Giants (0-3) at Bucs (1-1)
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m.
TV: WTVT-TV Channel 13; DirecTV Channel 713.
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (WXTB-FM 97.9 in Tampa-St. Petersburg region); SiriusXM Channel 83.
Weather: Joe understands why FOX/NFL suits wanted this game at 4 p.m., but geez guys, did you not learn anything last year when the Bucs had two 4 p.m. games in September? Both losses to the Rams and the Broncos had lengthy lightning delays. And guess why? Because it was a 4 p.m. kickoff. AccuWeather.com expects there to be thunderstorms at both the beginning of the game and in the second half. So if you are going to the game, bring a poncho and perhaps expect not to get home until 9 p.m. As for the temperature, it should be in the 90s for tailgaters but will cool off with the rain and clouds and is expected to be 85 at kickoff and will cool off slightly to 82 by game’s end.
Odds: Per FootballLocks.com, Bucs -3.
Outlook: This game has Joe spooked. Joe was up in Minnesota and did not like what he saw both on and off the field. On the field, we could all see what that debacle was like, but it was in the locker room that made Joe take notice. Joe isn’t sure he’s ever seen an NFL team that took a physical beating the way the Bucs did last week — as if the schoolyard bully took the Bucs out back and pummeled them for their lunch money. Then there are the matchup problems. The Bucs pass defense was miserable. Even though the Giants have a garbage offensive line, the Bucs — barring DE Noah Spence being healthy — have no pass rush. None. Then, you throw in the fact the Bucs struggle mightily on third down defense this season, and Giants quarterback QB Eli Manning is one of the better quarterbacks on third downs, Joe does not like this at all. Also, given the fact the Bucs simply cannot run the ball, which likely means the ball again with be put on the shoulders of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, uh oh. The record the past 18 games for Jameis when he throws the ball over 35 times a game is 1-4, if Joe were a betting man, he’d take the points here. Joe just does not like the vibes about this game.
Trinkets: The Giants defense has had three sacks in each of the past two games, but they do not have an interception this season. … Defensively, the Giants are fifth in the NFL in allowing the fewest yards on first down. Opponents are only gaining an average of 4.21 yards per play on first down against the Giants. … The Bucs are fourth in the NFL in rush defense allowing 72.5 yards a game on the ground. … Tampa Bay is ninth in the NFL in pass yards per game with an average of 255 a game. … Manning last week passed John Elway for sixth-most completions in NFL history (4,158). … WR Odell Beckham has 301 catches. He is the fastest player in NFL history to reach the 300-catch mark. … DE Olivier Vernon has had a sack in each Giants road game this season. … S Landon Collins was the lone player in the NFL last year to have at least five picks and at least four sacks. …Since 2008, no NFL receiver has more touchdown catches of 25-yards or more than DeSean Jackson (35). … If WR Mike Evans has seven catches today it will be his third straight game of at least seven receptions. Only once in his NFL career has Evans had three straight games of seven catches or more. … Since the start of the 2016 season, only three other defensive tackles have more sacks than DT Gerald McCoy. He has seven. … Since 2013, no player has more passes defended than CB Brent Grimes (67).
October 1st, 2017 at 12:05 am
A desperate Giant team in a rout…it’ll look like 7 on 7 drills for Eli & his receivers…hopefully their 1st round TE doesn’t outshine OJ for good measure.
October 1st, 2017 at 12:53 am
I may have had too many drinks tonight but this didn’t add up for me.
The record the past 18 games for Jameis when he throws the ball over 35 times a game is 1-4.
Anyway, the Bucs will have their hands full and while most people feel JW has to put this team on their shoulders, I expect an angry Bucs defense to play with a whole lot more swagger and energy. The defense is who needs to rise up for us. I had a bad feeling against the Vikes but I feel good about this one. We got this.
October 1st, 2017 at 12:56 am
Rise up ‼
October 1st, 2017 at 1:14 am
Since the start of the 2016 season (18 games played) when Jameis has thrown the ball 35 or less times a game, the Bucs (Jameis) are 9-4.
Since the start of the 2016 season (18 games played) when Jameis has thrown the ball more than 35 times a game, the Bucs (Jameis) are 1-4.
October 1st, 2017 at 3:49 am
If our pass defense plays solid we’ll win .. if not, I think we may get smacked.
But, I’ll say Bucs 23-20
October 1st, 2017 at 5:40 am
Nice statistics Joe, but the NFL is a ‘What-Have-You-Done-For-Me-Lately’ league. Anything prior to this season isn’t all that meaningful IMO. For instance, Giants have traditionally had an excellent run defense … this year not so much. They’ve given up 460 yds in 3 games (average over 150 yds/game) & they’re ranked worst in the league. They’ve been excellent defending the deep pass (3 completions allowed in 10 attempts for 76 yds in 3 games) but they’ve been eaten alive with the short/intermediate passing game by all 3 opponents.
It doesn’t take an Einstein to see where they’re vulnerable defensively. Albert could also figure out pretty quickly that Eli & the Giants’ offense is gonna score against this Bucs defense, so our offense better (1) control the clock; (2) minimize turnovers; and (3) put up a LOT of points. Run the ball 25-30 times against them, use the short passing game a LOT, with a sprinkling of deep stuff to keep the Giants secondary honest. Bucs will win 31-24 if we can get the running game going (please use Barber today), stay patient by using short stuff, and for heaven’s sake don’t turn the ball over.
October 1st, 2017 at 7:55 am
We need this win bad. As far as Barber goes, if Koetter doesn’t use him today, just release him and use the spot for another long snapper Personally, Barber starts and gets the first carry on first down.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:41 am
Go Bucs – Yes…need this one to avoid 1 – 3 start.
At least they fined the guy from the hit last week.
S Andrew Sendejo $24,309 for helmet hit on Bucs Cameron Brate
October 1st, 2017 at 8:59 am
The two most glaring needs on the team in the offseason were RB and DE and we did not address either one, SMH
October 1st, 2017 at 9:34 am
Glad Grimes is back this week, that’s a big boost to a struggling secondary. Giants run a ton of 11 personnel so I hope we press the WRs and pray Erick Flowers doesn’t look like Anthony Munoz. ROBERT AYERS you are on notice!! Go Bucs!!
October 1st, 2017 at 10:14 am
We need a stick carrier presence during the entire game, because Eli gets flustered when he gets hit (and if we are loud, the defense feeds off of that and we may get a few QB hits because of it). D-Jax has a history of playng extra well against the Giants, too, so I am hoping to see at least a couple big plays from him.
My only worry is how healthy the defense can stay during this game. We may end up calling up Joe Dirt to play against the Pats if we keep losing LBs.
October 1st, 2017 at 11:23 am
Giants by 10
October 1st, 2017 at 1:30 pm
Going to the game. Anyone know what color jersey we are wearing today? White or Red?