Buccaneers Try to End Four-Game Losing Streak Against Host Giants
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fresh off a bye week, will head to New Jersey on Sunday to face the New York Giants as they look to snap a four-game losing streak. Tampa Bay (4-6) is aiming to reignite its playoff hopes after a grueling stretch of games, while the Giants (2-8) are in the midst of a five-game skid and a quarterback transition.
DeVito Gets the Start for Giants
The Giants announced this week that quarterback Tommy DeVito will start, replacing Daniel Jones following the team’s Week 10 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Germany. DeVito, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023, brings a career passer rating of 89.2, with eight touchdowns and three interceptions across six starts.
“Those are never easy conversations,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said of the decision to bench Jones. “[I’ve] got a lot of respect for all three of those guys. After evaluating a bunch of things and looking at a lot of tape and being around Tommy last year where he created a little bit of a spark for us, that’s the reason why we’re going with Tommy.”
DeVito will lean on a limited Giants offense led by running back Tyrone Tracy, who has rushed for 545 yards and three touchdowns this season. Wide receivers Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton will be his primary targets against a Buccaneers pass defense that has allowed 20 touchdown passes, the fifth most in the league.
Buccaneers Offense Looks to Rebound
Tampa Bay’s offense, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, will look to return to its high-scoring ways. Mayfield has been stellar this season, ranking third in the NFL with 24 touchdown passes and posting a 103.6 passer rating.
The Buccaneers also feature a balanced rushing attack led by Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker. Together, they’ve helped the team eclipse 100 rushing yards in seven games this season.
The team may also get a boost with the potential return of star wide receiver Mike Evans, who has been out since Week 7 with a hamstring injury. Before the injury, Evans had amassed 335 yards and six touchdowns.
“It’s going to be close,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said regarding Evans’ availability, as well as that of cornerback Zyon McCollum and left tackle Tristin Wirfs. Wirfs, an All-Pro, has been sidelined with a sprained MCL.
Defensive Matchups
The Giants have struggled offensively, but their defense has been a bright spot. They rank second in sacks with 36 and have excelled in red-zone defense. Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has been dealing with a wrist injury, was a limited participant in practice this week.
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On the other side, Tampa Bay’s defense will look to contain DeVito and Tracy. However, they have been vulnerable in the secondary, allowing the fifth-most passing touchdowns in the NFL this season.
What’s at Stake
For the Buccaneers, snapping their losing streak is crucial to staying in contention in the NFC South. The Giants, meanwhile, are trying to find positives in a season that has gone awry, starting with evaluating DeVito as a potential long-term answer under center.
Kickoff is set for Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, with both teams eager to turn their seasons around.