Bucs Keys: Don’t Fall For The DeVito Trap
Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are beginning the stretch run of their season where they have a soft schedule heading into the final month and a half of the season. That soft schedule begins with the reeling New York Giants, who are 2-8 and are now fully mired in a rebuild. At 4-6 and getting healthier, Tampa Bay needs to make a run if they want a shot at the playoffs, and that run begins at MetLife Stadium.
What are our keys to a Bucs’ victory over the Giants?
Normally we’d start with contain Daniel Jones but
Giants release QB Daniel Jones. pic.twitter.com/yUIpkCtpCv
— NFL (@NFL) November 22, 2024
The Giants finally did it. After a tumultuous five-plus year stint in New York, Daniel Jones is finally free. So, with that…
Prevent Tommy DeVito’s ability to be a flash in the pan
Tommy DeVito came into the league last year and was both effective and fun to watch during his short stint as the Giants’ starter. He was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 14 of last season after accumulating 177 passing yards and 71 rushing yards en route to a close win over the Green Bay Packers. He was affectionately nicknamed “Tommy Cutlets” due to his Italian heritage, and upon his return, fans will excitedly shout Italian at Tommy DeVito, which is a refreshing change of pace from when they shouted French at Daniel Jones. His agent even went viral for looking like a character in the game Clue.
Tommy DeVito’s agent on the sidelines of MNF 🤌🤌 pic.twitter.com/HyG6FGynB8
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 12, 2023
That said, even with his fun style of play, DeVito is extremely beatable at quarterback. His production declined during his starting stint, and Tyrod Taylor returned to his role as QB1 when he was healthy at the end of last year. DeVito did not turn the ball over much, but he was sacked a whopping 37 times. He took sacks on 37.4% of pressures in 2023, which led the NFL among QBs with at least 90 dropbacks (coincidentally, Daniel Jones ranked second at 31.4%). Bringing pressure to DeVito will give the Bucs an edge and prevent the Italian Stallion from making the plays that he is extremely capable of making.
Gameplan around WR1s on both sides
After missing a few weeks with a hamstring injury, it’s extremely possible that Mike Evans could return this week.
Mike Evans was upgraded to full participation in practice today. https://t.co/W2h9HJiUJI
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) November 21, 2024
Evans was sorely missed in a passing offense in a league that has already felt the effects of Chris Godwin being out for the season with a fractured ankle. Baker Mayfield has had to lean on Cade Otton (who, to his credit, has done extremely well) and his running back duo of Rachaad White and Bucky Irving in the passing game. With the return of Evans, Baker now has an extra, elite option against a Giants pass defense that ranks third to last in the NFL with a 104.7 passer rating allowed and a secondary that (you are about to read this correctly) has not intercepted a single pass since Week 1.
On the other side of the ball, the New York Football Giants have an excellent WR1 in Malik Nabers who has already made his presence known. However, the Bucs’ secondary may catch a break, as he has missed consecutive practices due to a groin injury and may not play this weekend as a result. With that, Wan’Dale Robinson remains the top option in the passing offense, and he is heavily targeted when Nabers is absent. Whichever player ends up as the Giants’ top option will likely be force-fed targets as well as Tommy DeVito’s mama’s pizza pie. Todd Bowles would be wise to gameplan around taking away Tommy Cutlets’ first read.
Protect Baker from the Giants’ pass rush
The Giants are not a complete lost cause as a football team. They have 36 quarterback sacks, which ranks second in the NFL to the Denver Broncos.
This is true. Giants are second in the NFL with 36 sacks. Dexter Lawrence has nine, tied for second-most in the league. Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari have six each. Bucs have given up 24 this year, tied for 12th fewest. https://t.co/z2P6SOw9TD
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 18, 2024
While the Giants are a weak team overall, their pass rush has led them to victories over the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 (8 sacks) and in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks (7 sacks). In the game against the Seahawks, the game was iced after the Giants broke through Seattle’s protection and made a game breaking play; however, it did not involve getting to the quarterback.
BREAKING: Former #WVU wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton returns a blocked FG for a touchdown to lead the New York Giants to a win over the Seattle Seahawks! pic.twitter.com/dD49sZR6pg
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) October 6, 2024
Getting back Tristan Wirfs, who is expected to be a game-time decision on Sunday, will be a massive plus for the Bucs’ offensive line. In such a case, Baker will be much more protected and much less likely to make mistakes against a Giants’ secondary that doesn’t force many of them.
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