Giants-Buccs
Time: 3:05 PM CT (FOX)
Spread: NYG -3
Total: 49.5
Betting odds c/o Bovada
The New York Giants held ground with the New Orleans Saints last week but fell 52-49, and it will try to get back on track against a 3-4 Tampa Bay team as it finds itself 3-point favorites for the game which will air on FOX at 3 PM CST. The over/under for the game is 49.5.
In the loss, Eli Manning was heroic: He threw 30 of 41 for 350 yards, six TDs with no picks and Odell Beckham Jr. made the most of his homecoming to New Orleans, grabbing eight passes for 130 yards and three TDs. He only missed one targeted pass.
Shane Vereen caught eight passes for 60 yards and Rueben Randle (questionable, hamstring) had five catches for 55 yards. Dwayne Harris caught just three of seven targeted to him, but two were TD passes.
The Giants got just 87 yards rushing from its backfield, however, and Rashad Jennings was good for 54 yards on 10 carries (5.4 yards per attempt). Jennings has 316 yards on 81 carries on the season with one TD, and Vereen has rushed for 160 yards on 35 carries, but both Jennings and Vereen only have one run for 20-plus yards.
Manning has thrown 198 of 300 for 2,126 yards with 17 TDs and just four INTs. He has also been sacked just 12 times and is posting a passer rating of 99.9. Beckham Jr has 654 yards on 50 receptions with seven TDs and seven plays for 20-yards or more.
Randle is good for 384 yards on the year with 31 receptions and two TDs. The Giants have six receiving options with at least two TDs on the year.
Juan Pierre-Paul will make his debut after sustaining a finger injury while playing with fireworks. He is still listed as questionable but is more ‘likely’ according to ESPN.
Tampa Bay defeated Atlanta 23-20 last week. Jameis Winston was 16 of 29 for 177 yards with a TD, and he ran for an additional 24 yards on three carries. Doug Martin had 71 yards on 23 carries. Cameron Brate had two catches for 48 yards and a TD, and Mike Evans caught three passes for 48 yards. Winston rushed for a TD in the game.
The former Heisman winner has thrown 123 of 210 (58.6 percent) for 1,648 yards this season but has seven INTs to his 10 TDs. Winston’s passer rating is 85.6, but the best is still likely to come for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft.
Winston has struggled but has continued to insist he is not worried about expectations because he does not feel there should be any. It is a stunning twist of logic from a guy who once got arrested for stealing king crab legs. Winston, to be sure, has expectations and those range far higher than his 85.6 passer rating.
The former NCAA champion will have to allow himself to feel some pressure before he cuts down on his seven interceptions he has already thrown. NFL defenses are not going to simply bow to his statue, and given his frame he really should have the size to be a strong pocket quarterback. His game is not rushing the football, but he needs to find moderate success doing so.
Winston’s rushing touchdown should evidence to him he can do it, and a more mobile Winston may be a more effective one. Part of what separates No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota from Winston is his ability to rush (though he has been out with injury in his own right).
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RECENT TRENDS
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N.Y. Giants
Over is 6-1 in Giants last 7 games in November.
Giants are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
Giants are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Tampa Bay
Under is 7-0 in Buccaneers last 7 games in November.
Buccaneers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in Week 9.
Over is 4-1 in Buccaneers last 5 games on grass.
Head to Head
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Giants are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Road team is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
