The New York Giants could be in for a rough afternoon this Sunday in Tampa. They are not only starting a rookie quarterback, but they do not match up very well against a Buccaneers team that can exploit them in several ways.
Bucs’ wide receivers vs. Giants’ secondary
Perennial Pro Bowler Mike Evans began the season with an undisclosed illness but he’s healthy now and ready to shred the Giants’ soft back seven. The Giants will likely assign Janoris Jenkins to him, but the 6-foot-5 Evans has the speed and size that could give Jenkins fits. The Giants ave been allowing 10.6 yards per pass play over the first two games.
Then there’s this from Pro Football Focus:
Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin, a third-year wide receiver out of Penn State, is also off to a fiery start in 2019. Through two games, Godwin ranks fifth in receiving grade (82.7), 12th in yards per route run (2.56) and eighth in passer rating when targeted (151.1). And he’s done so as the team-leader in aimed target share (25.9%).
Put simply, New York’s secondary has been atrocious to start the season. Rookie DeAndre Baker has earned just a 24.4 overall grade across his 98 defensive snaps through Week 2, and veteran Janoris Jenkins hasn’t been much better with his 53.7 overall grade. Expect Godwin and the Bucs’ passing attack to put up big numbers in this one.
Saquon Barkley may be in for a rough afternoon
The Giants will probably turn to star running back Saquon Barkley to take the pressure off rookie quarterback Daniel Jones on Sunday but may find very little high ground there. The Bucs have been staunch against the run this year.
“This is just something to monitor for now, but the Buccaneers have been lights out against opposing running backs through two weeks,” writes PFF. “Tampa Bay has faced San Francisco and Carolina so far. Those teams’ backs have accounted for 53 touches, 184 yards and no touchdowns against Tampa Bay. In their other games, those numbers have risen to 71, 538 and six, respectively. If the Bucs can hold Saquon Barkley in check in Week 3, we might really have something here.”
Jameis Winston could be on the verge of breaking out
The Giants’ pass rush is dormant at the moment and Winston is usually a turnover machine. But if he’s not pressured, he can exploit the Giants’ disorganized defense and rack up a ton of points and yards on Sunday.
Winston had a touchdown pass and a 103.4 QB rating last week against Carolina. Against the Giants, he has five touchdowns and only one interception for a 101.1 QB rating over three career games. Winston has played well versus all four NFC East clubs in his career. He has 13 touchdown passes vs. four interceptions and a 104.5 QB rating in his past five games against the NFC East. He also has two or more touchdown passes in four of his past five home starts.
