Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds previews the upcoming Bucks game with six quick-hit topics. What’s at stake for the Bucs and their opponents, what could lead to a win or loss for Tampa Bay, and some key matchups to watch each week.
The Bucks finished the bye week with a 4-6 record and are 2.5 games behind the Falcons in the NFC South. Tampa Bay is currently four spots out of the NFC Wild Card race and needs to rack up wins. The 2-8 Giants also advanced with a bye and made a significant change at quarterback, benching starting quarterback Daniel Jones, who makes $40 million a year, in favor of third-string starter Tommy DeVito.
What’s at stake for the Bucks?
Bucks HC Todd Bowles – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Tampa Bay needs to end a four-game losing streak. And they will try to regain their position in the NFC playoff race. There are seven games remaining, six of which are against teams with losing records, but if the Bucks can build on their momentum, they can earn a wild card spot and advance to the postseason. It begins in New York against a two-win Giants team that also has a bye week.
It’s not just the team’s two-year 4-6 record that has garnered attention for Todd Bowles. Bowles’ defense has been among the worst in the league this year, and injuries haven’t helped either. The secondary has struggled without safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and others for four games, going 2-2 from Weeks 2 through 5 and 0-4 over the last four games without cornerback Jamel Dean. It was a loss. Tampa Bay’s defense is still reeling from a season-ending shoulder injury suffered by inside linebacker Sarvosia Dennis, making KJ Britt the worst coverage defender on the field. Bowles’ defense needs a “rejuvenating” game Sunday against a Giants offense that averages just under 16 points per game.
Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Cohen has managed to get through the past four games without Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, but he should have Evans back on Sunday in New York. Cohen’s offense had to do a lot of heavy lifting as the defense performed extremely poorly, allowing 31 points per game during the team’s four-game losing streak. The Giants’ defense is the strength of New York’s team, and the Bucs offense may need to score at least 24 points again to have a chance at winning.
What’s at stake for the Giants?
Giants RB Tyron Tracy Jr. – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Since Brian Daboll led New York to the playoffs with a 9-7-1 record over three years, the Giants are 6-11; 2-8. The offensive-minded Daboll is attracting attention as his offensive power is among the worst in the league, finishing in last place with 15.6 points per game. The team gave former first-round quarterback Daniel Jones a hefty four-year, $160 million transfer in 2023, and the Giants officially benched Jones and replaced third-stringer Tommy DeVito. I placed it on the bench.
Last year, DeVito started six games and went 3-3, throwing eight touchdowns and just three interceptions. Unless DeVito can ignite the offense and show he can be a viable quarterback option going forward, Daboll will likely be fired. DeVito will rely heavily on two promising rookies, first-round wide receiver Malik Nabors and fifth-round running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. Nabors leads the Giants with 61 catches, 607 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while Tracy leads the Giants. All rookies – rushed for 545 yards and three touchdowns, averaging an incredible 5.1 yards per game.
The Giants’ defense is tied for 16th in scoring defense this season, allowing just 22.2 points per game. New York ranks second in the NFL with 36 sacks, but ranks last with just one interception. The Giants’ pass rush needs to continue to lead the defense, but the secondary needs to come back to life and start producing takeaways, especially in enemy territory, giving a struggling offense short fields to work with.
If the Bucks win…
Bucks WR Mike Evans and Sterling Shepard – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Tampa Bay is healthier after the bye week, with wide receiver Mike Evans and cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Tykie Smith set to return. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs appears to be the only significant starter who missed Week 12. The Bucks must stay healthy in New York and come out of the game unscathed with a win.
Todd Bowles’ defense really needs to show improvement against one of the worst offenses in the league in New York. Tampa Bay can’t just get Tommy DeVito back on track and comfortable making his first start of the season. The Bucs will have to record multiple sacks and QB hits and force DeVito to commit an error. The Bucs haven’t recorded an interception in the team’s four-game losing streak, and that needs to happen Sunday. Tampa Bay is plus-1 in turnover differential in each of its last two games, but it wasn’t enough to seal the victory. The Bucks may need to finish plus-2 against the Giants in New York.
Baker Mayfield hasn’t thrown an interception in the last two games, so Tampa Bay remains out against Kansas City and San Francisco. Mayfield needs to continue playing turnover-free football to give his team a chance to win. Evans’ return should help the offense be more productive and score more points, but Mayfield must avoid the temptation to force the ball to Evans, who is covered Sunday.
If the Giants win…
Giants QB Tommy DeVito – Photo courtesy of USA Today
To end a five-game losing streak, the Giants will need to not only waive Baker Mayfield, but also put pressure on him to throw an interception or two. New York had the lowest number of interceptions of the season, with only one coming from linebacker Darius Muasau. The Giants’ secondary hasn’t had a pick this season, but cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and rookie Jrue Phillips have played well in coverage.
New York’s defense is one of the best in football, led by defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, who has nine sacks. Outside linebackers Azeez Ojulari and Brian Burns each had six sacks. With Justin Skule replacing the injured Tristan Wirfs, the Giants will need to attack the left tackle position and use that to get to Mayfield to disrupt the Bucs’ passing game.
Offensively, Tommy DeVito should give the team a spark early in games. Some Giants aren’t happy with Daniel Jones on the bench, and DeVito will have to win his team early with touchdown drives and defending the football. DeVito will have to avoid turnovers Sunday and not be afraid to push the ball and run for first downs. The Giants’ skill position players, along with the offensive line, will also need to rally around their young quarterback.
Key matchups for the Bucks’ offense
Bucks LT Justin Skule vs. Giants OLB Brian Burns
Bucks OT Justin Scurll – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
The Giants made headlines by acquiring former Panthers first-round pick Brian Burns in an offseason trade to help the team’s pass rush. So far, Barnes has lived up to his hype, racking up six sacks against Azeez Ojulari, who also has six sacks. Barnes gets to the quarterback consistently, as evidenced by his team-high 39 pressures.
Barnes will primarily line up on the right side of the line, where he will face swing tackle Justin Scurll, who will be filling in for injured Tristan Wirfs at left tackle. The good news for Skule is that Luke Goedeke has already gotten plenty of playing time this year, filling the right tackle role for the four games he missed with a concussion from Weeks 2 through 5.
Skule, who is probably better at left tackle than right tackle, has allowed 11 pressures and four sacks this year, including three against Lions Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson in Week 2. is. He needs to get his game in shape because he doesn’t get as much help at left tackle as he did at right tackle with chipping tight ends. Skule is a good run blocker, so expect Liam Cohen to call running plays behind Skule with the goal of wearing down Barnes in the run game and making him less effective as a pass rusher.
Key matchups for the Bucks’ defense
Bucks CB Jamel Dean and Zion McCollum vs. Giants WR Malik Nabors
Giants WR Malik Nabors – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Don’t be fooled by his 10-yard receiving average. Giants rookie receiver Malik Nabors is one of the fastest receivers in the league, running a 4.35 40-yard dash out of LSU. It’s odd that the New York State first-round pick’s longest catch was just 39 yards. But watch for Tommy DeVito to push the ball further down the field and target Nabors deep a few times.
Zion McCollum is coming off a bad game against San Francisco’s Jauan Jennings. McCollum seems to do well against speedy finesse receivers, but struggles against larger, more physical receivers. Nabers is somewhere in the middle, at 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. McCollum needs a bounce-back game and needs to shut out Neighbors like he can.
Nabors is splitting reps about 50-50 on both sides of the field, which will give him a chance to beat Jamel Dean, who returns after missing four games with a hamstring injury. Neighbors will likely test Dean’s hamstring early on a deep route to see if there is any rust in the Bucs’ veteran cornerback’s game after being sidelined for a month. Dean must come back with revenge and play well to make up for lost time.
