It's rare when a team can be thinking positively heading into the playoffs off a loss, but that's what the New York Giants are doing for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay.
The G-Men put up a valiant fight last Saturday against the Patriots before falling 38-35. New York played its starters and fought to the end despite having nothing really to play for, and the Giants think standing toe-to-toe with the NFL's best team is only a good thing going into the postseason.
"Last week wasn't exactly what we wanted - at all," defensive end Michael Strahan said. "But it definitely gave us a measuring stick of where we need to go in order to compete against the best. From that, we can at least build and have an understanding of where we need to go."
However, that game did take a bit of a physical toll on the Giants, as cornerback Sam Madison, center Shaun O'Hara and linebacker Kawika Mitchell did not practice much of this week due to injuries suffered vs. the Patriots, and Coughlin wouldn't speculate on their status. O'Hara and Madison are doubtful, while Mitchell is questionable.
No Giant was better last week than Eli Manning, who was 22-for-32 for 251 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. But that was the consistent Eli, not the one who threw a career-high 20 INTs this season to go with his 23 TDs.
But the New York defense was suspect, allowing 390 yards and 38 points, including 22 in a crucial 14-1/2-minute span late in the game. But these are the Bucs, not the Pats, who the Giants will be facing. The Bucs' offense finished the season ranked 18th in the NFL. Tampa Bay averaged 20.9 points per game - 16 fewer than New England. And its average of 326.8 yards per game pales in comparison to the Patriots' 411.3.And New York's defense that finished second in the NFC this season and seventh in the NFL, although in six games against playoff teams, it has given up an average of 32.5 points.
The Bucs' defense is good as usual, ranking second in the league in yards allowed (278.4 per game), first in passing defense (170.5) and third in points allowed (16.9).
"They have veteran players and they are very sound with what they are doing," said Manning, who threw for 3,336 yards this season and will be playing in his third career postseason game. "They don't give up big plays by mental mistakes. They are able to get a good pass rush whether they bring a blitz or just on the four-man rush. They mix up what they do enough and they are very sound and disciplined in their technique and in their coverage."
Tampa Bay's offense revolves around Jeff Garcia, who threw for 2,440 yards, 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions to help Tampa Bay win the NFC South for the first time since 2002. Garcia posted a 94.6 quarterback rating, seventh in the league.
And he and several other Bucs starters will be rested, as coach Jon Gruden sat the majority of his starters in Week 17 (and some of Week 16).
New York will undoubtedly pressure Garcia, as the Giants led the league with 53 sacks.
Injury-wise for the Bucs, LB Cato June (foot) is doubtful and starting rookie G Arron Sears questionable on Friday's injury report. Ryan Nece would start for June at strongside linebacker, and Matt Lehr would start at left guard for Sears.
WagerWeb.com line: Bucs -3 (39.5)
Prediction: The Bucs are 6-2 at home, but the G-Men are a terrific 7-1 on the road and seem to play muchx better away from the Meadowlands. That Patriots game, plus some trash talking by Ronde Barber this week, seems to have emboldened New York. Giants finally get past the first round of the playoffs, 20-13.
Betting Trends
The Giants are 7-8 ATS.
The Giants are 4-3 ATS away.
The Giants are 5-3 ATS as the underdog.
The Giants are 4-2 ATS as an away underdog.
The Buccaneers are 6-8 ATS.
The Buccaneers are 3-3 ATS at home.
The Buccaneers are 1-1 ATS as the favorite.
The Buccaneers are 1-1 ATS as a home favorite.
More NFL Trends.
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