MNF: Buccaneers vs. Giants odds, preview and pick
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
October 31st, 2020
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to move to 6-2 on the season when they travel to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants on Monday night.
The Giants are the second-largest underdog of Week 8, and the total for the game sits at 45 points.
Tom Brady is looking like his old self
The Buccaneers have finally figured out their offensive issues, as QB Tom Brady is on a hot stretch at the moment. He has thrown 15 touchdowns over his last five games with just one interception during that time, and is averaging nearly 300 yards per contest. This is despite being without WR Chris Godwin for much of the season, and getting little production from fellow WR Mike Evans.
Quote from Jason Pierre-Paul: "Eli's not there no more, so I won't have to pick him up and say 'Eli, man, you good?' I'm coming for their necks, man. They know that ... I'm going to Monday Night Football and going to destroy the Giants. That's what I want to do as an individual."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 30, 2020
Their offense has had plenty of time to work things out thanks to their stellar defense, which not only has allowed the fewest yards of any team in the NFL but ranks number one in the league in yards allowed per play. They have sacked opposing quarterbacks 25 times this season, the second most in the league, and former Giant Jason Pierre-Paul has publicly stated that he is "going to destroy the Giants" on Monday night. He will look to add to his top-five league total of 5.5 sacks as he faces his former team for the first time.
The Giants are still in the playoff hunt
This season has been a disaster for the Giants, both on and off the field. From losing RB Saquon Barkley to injury early in the season, to the terrible play of the offense, the franchise appears to be in a tumultuous period. It was not made better when multiple players, including Barkley, QB Daniel Jones, and others out were photographed at a bar last week without masks on.
Jones has been a major disappointment on the field, with only five touchdown passes through seven games. Three of New York's losses, including last week’s 22-21 defeat to the Eagles, have come by four points or less, meaning just a bit more production from Jones could be the difference between their current record and a winning one. It would also help if he didn’t tackle himself in the open field, as he did last week.
Daniel Jones has 34 turnovers in 20 career games.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 23, 2020
According to @EliasSports Jones' 34 turnovers are most through a player's first 20 games since Ryan Leaf, who committed 41 turnovers in his first 20 games. pic.twitter.com/teeTe9dhPe
Even so, the NFC East is so bad that despite being 1-6 on the season, the Giants are just one game out of a tie for first place. A win could see them move into a tie with the Eagles and Washington, who they would face next weekend in a pivotal matchup. If Jones can get things going just a little bit, they could still salvage something from this season.
Buccaneers and Giants statistics
| Team | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Passing Yards Allowed | Rushing Yards Allowed |
|---|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 266.1 (8th) | 105.7 (18th) | 225.3 (11th) | 66.0 (1st) |
New York Giants | 184.3 (30th) | 98.1 (26th) | 251.3 (22nd) | 105.0 (8th) |
Tampa Bay vs. New York injury report
The Buccaneers will yet again be without Godwin, who appears to be the only key player likely to miss the game for Tampa Bay this week.
As for the Giants, they will be without OL Will Hernandez, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. They also may be without RB Devonta Freeman, who missed practice this week with an ankle injury, while WR Sterling Shepard is questionable with multiple ailments, but is expected to play.
Buccaneers vs. Giants betting trends
Tampa Bay has won five of its last six games, covering the spread in four of those contests. The Bucs have only one win, however, in their last nine trips away to New York to face the Giants. The total has gone Over in 15 of their last 20 games, and has gone over in eight of their last eleven on the road.
The Giants have covered the spread in four of their last six games, but have won just once in their last eight contests. The total has gone Under in five of their last seven games, but has gone Over in each of their last five meetings with Tampa Bay.
There is absolutely nothing the Giants have done this season that gives you reason to believe they will cover this ever-growing spread. Against teams not from the NFC East, the Giants have been outscored 96-47, and they were held to just nine points in two of those games. Without Barkley, they are struggling to run the ball, with Jones being their leading rusher on the season.
All signs point to Brady and company getting plenty of opportunities on offense, where the Giants will struggle to keep them off the scoreboard. Tampa Bay’s top-ranked rush defense will force New York to be even more one dimensional, as this game will likely get ugly in a hurry. Look for Tampa Bay to cover, and for the score to stay Under as the Giants struggle to find the end zone.
Score prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34, New York Giants 9
Picks: Buccaneers -12.5, Under 45
Wager on all Week 8 NFL action now at BetAmerica.
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