Giants Vs. Bucs Preview

The Giants play the Bucs on Sunday.  This should be a team they can easily handle.  The Bucs have a new coach in Rutgers’ Greg Schiano who led them to an impressive opening day victory, but one game does not make a season.  The Bucs were impressive stopping the Panthers running game last week, and with the Giants running game not looking good that could be a challenge.  However, Eli has feasted on the Bucs over the years and this year should be no different.  Returning for the Giants should be Marvin Austin.  The reason this is important is that the only 3 man DT rotation the Giants had last week included 7th round pick Marcus Kuhn.  The run defense was excellent in the first half against the cowboys, but the lack of depth caused serious fatigue in the second half when the Cowboys ran wild.  We have been waiting to see Austin for 2 years and it’s exciting to see what he can do. 

Keith Rivers, who started last week at linebacker for the Giants will probably be out with a hamstring injury.  That is disappointing because he was their best player on the field last week.  Boley will take back his starting job.  I hope they find a way to get Rivers in at middle line backer when he returns and allow them to play together as they are the best 2 linebackers they have.  If Prince Amukamara comes back from an ankle injury the secondary should be ok.  The Bucs do not have a Tony Romo, who was excellent last week.  Even a subpar defense should be able to withstand the Bucs passing game.  Look for David Wilson to get a second chance and work his way out of the dog house. 

Side note on Marcus Kuhn: Every time he is brought up the commentators love to point out that he only started playing football as a 15 year old so he is new to the game.  The guy is a 26 year old rookie.  This makes no sense. The average rookie is 23, so 11 years in the game is like someone else starting at 13 which is a normal age.  It’s one of those bizarre stats the media likes to throw out that makes no sense. 

Prediction:

The Giants will bounce back.  The Giants will win the game 27-17.