Monday Night Football features the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2, 2-2 away) against the New York Giants (1-6, 1-2 home). This will be Tampa Bay’s first Monday Night Football game since the 2018 season. Kickoff for this NFC showdown is set for 8:15 p.m. EST at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. with the Bucs set as 12.5 favorites.
What to Know – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is riding high heading into Monday’s game after a pair of blowout victories over the Packers and Raiders. Tampa Bay has won their last two by a combined 53 points, but Monday marks their third road contest in the last four weeks.
At 43 years old, Tom Brady continues to perform at an elite level under center. Brady completed 33-for-45 passes for 369 yards and five total touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) last weekend.
Brady spread the ball around, completing passes to nine different pass catchers in the beat down against the Raiders. Scotty Miller lead all receivers with six catches for 109 yards and one score.
Ronald Jones II and Leonard Fournette continue to split carries out of the backfield for Tampa Bay. After three-straight games surpassing the 100-yard mark, Jones tallied just 34 yards last weekend, but did find the endzone for the second week in a row.
Tampa Bay features one of the NFL’s top defensive units, holding opponents to just 291.3 yards and 20.3 points per game. The Buccaneers have held four opponents to 19 points or less this year.
What to Know – New York Giants
The New York Giants were a quarter away from securing their second win of the season, but couldn’t hold off the Eagles in a 22-21 loss last week. On the bright side, the Thursday night contest last week has given the Giants extended time to rest and prep for their Monday Night Football tilt.
Daniel Jones was again the Giants leading passer and rusher in the loss to the Eagles. Jones threw for 187 yards with a pair of touchdowns, and rushed for another 92 yards. The signal-caller is the team’s leading rusher this season.
The Giants will be without Devonta Freeman for this contest, so look for Wayne Gallman to be the featured back against a tough Bucs defense that hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. Gallman was the team’s second-leading rusher last week with 34 yards on the ground and one score.
One of the bright spots for the Giants this season has been the performance of their defense. The Giants are surrendering 24.9 points and 356.3 yards per game near the midway point of the 2020 campaign.
The Pick is In
Brady and company have picked on quality opponents the last two weeks, and will be up against one of the league’s bottom feeders Monday night. While the Giants rush defense has been solid this season, their secondary has been suspect and Brady will take advantage of that. Don’t expect too much from the Giants offense Monday night.
The Pick: Tampa Bay -12.5
