Grading the Giants’ 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Offense
Forget about any of the final stats, which look bad but not embarrassing. This was abominable. Three first downs and 45 total yards in the first half. Everyone knew Todd Bowles would blitz like crazy — everyone but the offensive line, apparently.
Tommy DeVito (21 of 31, 189 yards) was overwhelmed in the first half. He was sacked four times in the game. Rookie Tyrone Tracy (9-42) had another costly fumble — it is becoming a problem. Malik Nabers (6-64) was not targeted in the first half, had some drops and is growing frustrated.
No catches (only two targets) for Darius Slayton. C John Michael Schmitz was obliterated by Vita Vea on a second-quarter sack. LT Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) went out early. Daniel Jones clearly wasn’t the only problem, was he?
Grade: F
Defense
Oh, there goes another missed tackle by the Gang That Couldn’t Wrap Up. High school teams get ballcarriers to the ground better than this.
Baker Mayfield (24 of 30, 294 yards) ran for a TD and then mocked the Giants with DeVito’s signature hand gesture. To the victors go the taunting. Bucky Irving (12-87) led a 156-yard rushing attack. A missed tackle by Bobby Okereke set up the first Bucs TD.
Okereke did force a fumble on Sean Tucker that forced Tampa to settle for a field goal. Tyler Nubin had a nice pass breakup on Mike Evans in the first quarter but the rookie safety whiffed several times.
An illegal-contact penalty on Deonte Banks led to a Bucs TD. Banks seemed content to allow receivers to catch the ball in front of him and then try to make the tackle. Adoree’ Jackson blatantly dragged down Evans for a 23-yard pass interference penalty. D.J. Davidson had a fumble recovery.
Grade: F
Special Teams
Jamie Gillan’s first punt put the Bucs back on their 16-yard line. His next punt sailed 53 yards and out of bounds on the Tampa 18. He put three down inside the 20. Good kickoff coverage to pin the Bucs back on their 2-yard line. No field goal attempts for the Giants.
Grade: B
Coaching
If we hear “We had a good week of practice’’ one more time we’re going to have to throw something against the wall. Whatever Brian Daboll is selling, his players aren’t buying — and it is getting worse.
It smacked of desperation to see Daboll go for it on fourth-and-1 on the Giants 37 late in the first quarter. As for defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, what exactly is his unit good at doing? Tackling is terrible, pass rush is suspect and stopping the run is optional.
Grade: F
