Giants defense pitches shutout, dominate Bucs
TAMPA – For the first two weeks of the season, the Giants found them themselves with more questions than answers despite being 2-0.
On the road, taking on an inferior opponent in over 100 degree conditions, the road team felt at home and played its most impressive game of the season.
From the outset, the Giants set course to dismantle the Buccaneers, and they were able to do that resoundingly and completely to the tune of a 24-0 victory at Raymond James Stadium.
Going into the game, the team was suffering from an incredible rash of injuries on defense and with the sweltering heat, conventional wisdom had it that the lack of depth would be an issue. This is where the sharpness of General Manager Jerry Reese came in to solidify the back end of the roster, strengthening it and making it a non-factor.
The defense played arguably is greatest game in recent memory, limiting the Buccaneers offense to only 86 total yards (58 passing, 28 running) and just five first downs. Tampa Bay did not gain a first down in the opening half, and did not accomplish what appeared to be a monumental feat until 4:29 was remaining in the third quarter.
On their opening drive, the Giants served notice that this would be long day. Moving down the field in workmanlike fashion, the offense drove 80 yards in 12 plays and finished with Brandon Jacobs powering his way for a six-yard touchdown run. It was the offense’s first conversion in the red zone this season after eight previous attempts. Eli Manning’s new favorite target Steve Smith (seven receptions – 63 yards) had three receptions on the drive for 33 yards.
After two successive three-and-outs, Tampa Bay’s offense would turn the ball over on the first play of their third drive. Quarterback Byron Leftwich went back to the throw and while he had time, Mathias Kiwanuka was able to hit him just before releasing the ball. Terrell Thomas who returned it to Giants 34 intercepted the underthrown pass.
It took only seven plays for the offense to capitalize on the turnover and stick in the zone. 66 yards the Giants moved, highlighted by a 38-yard run by Ahmad Bradshaw (14 carries – 104 yards), breaking through several tackles and staying on his feet. On third down and goal from the Buccaneers 4, Manning would found Smith in the end zone for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Late in the first half, it appeared as if the Giants were going to go up 21-0. A 12-play drive was halted at the Buccaneers 2, but Lawrence Tynes missed a chip shot 20-yard field goal that resulted in zero points.
The first half stats showed an incredible discrepancy. Tampa had only 19 yards of total offense and zero first downs.
Another 12 play drive in the third quarter led a Tynes field goal (that he made) to up the lead to 17-0. Buccaneers running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams picked up the teams only first down to that point on a three yard run that was met with a Bronx cheer from the fans on a day where many in the crowd (at least 35%) were wearing blue.
With possession again, the Giants would put the game away going on another long drive. Utilizing the clock and knowing that their defense was hampered by injuries, the methodically moved with Tampa Bay not showing any resistance. On second-and-13, Manning found Sinorice Moss down the right sideline for an 18-yard touchdown catch as they increased their lead to 24 points.
The game was so much in hand that Head Coach Tom Coughlin elected to replace Manning (14 for 24 – 161 yards, two touchdowns) with David Carr for the last 12 minutes of the game and used recently acquired Gatrell Johnson at running back.
It was that type of day.
Tampa Bay attempted to get on the scoreboard late in the fourth quarter, driving all the down to the Giants 5, before being held out of the end zone on four consecutive pass attempts.
The Giants offense controlled the ball for a season high 43:38 and ran for 226 yards. It was their first shutout since October 2005 when they beat the Washington Redskins 36-0 in the first weekend after the passing of Owner Wellington Mara. It was their first road shutout since 1983 when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles at old Veterans Stadium.
Next Sunday is the final game of their early season three game road trip when the Giants head to Kansas City to face the 0-3 Chiefs.
At the rate the team is going, their maybe nothing the Chiefs can do to stop them.
TAMPA – For the first two weeks of the season, the Giants found them themselves with more questions than answers despite being 2-0.
On the road, taking on an inferior opponent in over 100 degree conditions, the road team felt at home and played its most impressive game of the season.
From the outset, the Giants set course to dismantle the Buccaneers, and they were able to do that resoundingly and completely to the tune of a 24-0 victory at Raymond James Stadium.
Going into the game, the team was suffering from an incredible rash of injuries on defense and with the sweltering heat, conventional wisdom had it that the lack of depth would be an issue. This is where the sharpness of General Manager Jerry Reese came in to solidify the back end of the roster, strengthening it and making it a non-factor.
The defense played arguably is greatest game in recent memory, limiting the Buccaneers offense to only 86 total yards (58 passing, 28 running) and just five first downs. Tampa Bay did not gain a first down in the opening half, and did not accomplish what appeared to be a monumental feat until 4:29 was remaining in the third quarter.
On their opening drive, the Giants served notice that this would be long day. Moving down the field in workmanlike fashion, the offense drove 80 yards in 12 plays and finished with Brandon Jacobs powering his way for a six-yard touchdown run. It was the offense’s first conversion in the red zone this season after eight previous attempts. Eli Manning’s new favorite target Steve Smith (seven receptions – 63 yards) had three receptions on the drive for 33 yards.
After two successive three-and-outs, Tampa Bay’s offense would turn the ball over on the first play of their third drive. Quarterback Byron Leftwich went back to the throw and while he had time, Mathias Kiwanuka was able to hit him just before releasing the ball. Terrell Thomas who returned it to Giants 34 intercepted the underthrown pass.
It took only seven plays for the offense to capitalize on the turnover and stick in the zone. 66 yards the Giants moved, highlighted by a 38-yard run by Ahmad Bradshaw (14 carries – 104 yards), breaking through several tackles and staying on his feet. On third down and goal from the Buccaneers 4, Manning would found Smith in the end zone for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Late in the first half, it appeared as if the Giants were going to go up 21-0. A 12-play drive was halted at the Buccaneers 2, but Lawrence Tynes missed a chip shot 20-yard field goal that resulted in zero points.
The first half stats showed an incredible discrepancy. Tampa had only 19 yards of total offense and zero first downs.
Another 12 play drive in the third quarter led a Tynes field goal (that he made) to up the lead to 17-0. Buccaneers running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams picked up the teams only first down to that point on a three yard run that was met with a Bronx cheer from the fans on a day where many in the crowd (at least 35%) were wearing blue.
With possession again, the Giants would put the game away going on another long drive. Utilizing the clock and knowing that their defense was hampered by injuries, the methodically moved with Tampa Bay not showing any resistance. On second-and-13, Manning found Sinorice Moss down the right sideline for an 18-yard touchdown catch as they increased their lead to 24 points.
The game was so much in hand that Head Coach Tom Coughlin elected to replace Manning (14 for 24 – 161 yards, two touchdowns) with David Carr for the last 12 minutes of the game and used recently acquired Gatrell Johnson at running back.
It was that type of day.
Tampa Bay attempted to get on the scoreboard late in the fourth quarter, driving all the down to the Giants 5, before being held out of the end zone on four consecutive pass attempts.
The Giants offense controlled the ball for a season high 43:38 and ran for 226 yards. It was their first shutout since October 2005 when they beat the Washington Redskins 36-0 in the first weekend after the passing of Owner Wellington Mara. It was their first road shutout since 1983 when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles at old Veterans Stadium.
Next Sunday is the final game of their early season three game road trip when the Giants head to Kansas City to face the 0-3 Chiefs.
At the rate the team is going, their maybe nothing the Chiefs can do to stop them.
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