The Giants need to excel in this One Matchup Against Tampa Bay

On By Littum

The New York Giants are looking to snap a five-game losing streak and get their first home win this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And if the Giants are to do that, their pass rush will need to step up to the plate to ensure the league’s eighth-best offense doesn’t go on a scoring streak that matches or exceeds its 27.9 points per possession. scored match.

Facing a Tampa Bay offensive line led by rookie Graham Barton, the Giants’ defensive front has an opportunity to wreak havoc. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who was on the Bucs’ injury report this week with knee and foot injuries, was downgraded to questionable on Saturday and likely won’t play.

That’s not good news for a Bucs team that has allowed seven sacks in its last four games and is averaging 2.4 sacks per game. battle, 15 highest average rate in the league.

Meanwhile, the Giants return outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux to add to their passing arsenal, which includes Dexter Lawrence II, Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari.

Although the Giants’ sack production has dipped slightly over their last four games, they still have 10 over that stretch and are still first in the league in sacks/pass attempts (13.09%).

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has found new life in Tampa Bay, but this season he’s been sacked 24 times, has thrown nine interceptions and has two fumbles on 12.9% of his snaps. his own doing. The Giants defense hasn’t forced very many takeaways this season – eight to be exact, tying them for 29th fewest in the league.

Mayfield, like any other quarterback, does not like pressure, but he has shown that he can function when under duress. Per Pro Football Focus, Mayfield has been pressured on just 24.8% of his dropbacks this season, but has completed 62.5% of his passes under duress and has thrown one touchdown to one interception in that situation.

Despite Mayfield’s ability to get the ball out quickly — his pressure rate is second-lowest in the NFL behind Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins — the Giants still need to exploit the Bucs’ offensive line.

According to NextGen Stats, Mayfield has averaged 2.57 seconds to throw this season, with 11 of his league-leading 23 touchdown passes coming on throws of 2.5 seconds or less.