The New York Giants boast a 4-4 record, one that's not particularly impressive overall in the NFL, but one that is enough to have them on top of the NFC East. That division is competing with the AFC South for the worst division in the league, and Tom Coughlin's team is more than happy to to take advantage and sit on top.
Giants vs. Buccaneers 2015 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Jameis Winston and Eli Manning will duel on Sunday.
Most expect Eli Manning will be able to lead the Giants to a winning record after Sunday's game against Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a struggling team that sits at 3-4 on the season.
Manning, a long-time veteran in the league, has completed 198 of 300 passes for 2,126 yards, 17 touchdowns and just four interceptions on the season. To contrast, Winston, the top overall pick in this year’s draft, has thrown for 1,648 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Manning doesn’t always protect the football well, but he’s done a great job of it thus far this year and the Giants will definitely have an edge there.
The Giants have an opportunistic defense, as well. Despite ranking last in total defense and 24th in scoring defense, the Giants have a plus-11 turnover differential. They have given the ball away seven times (four via interception and three via fumble), but have recovered five opponent fumbles and picked off opposing quarterbacks 13 times. Winston could be in for a long day if he doesn’t have a clean game against the Giants.
Winston is coming off a so-so performance against the rival Atlanta Falcons, a game that the Buccaneers won in overtime. He completed just 55.2 percent of his passes with a touchdown and no interceptions. In fact, he's been a lot more careful with the football in recent weeks, having thrown none in Tampa Bay's last three games. The last time he threw an interception was against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 4, when he threw four of them.
So really, things are trending upward for Winston and the Buccaneers. The win over the Falcons was shocking given Atlanta’s success this season, though Winston didn’t play particularly well in that game. But he is taking care of the ball a lot more than he did in the first couple games this season.
The Buccaneers rank 11th in the league in total offense, 23rd in passing offense and fourth in rushing offense. Running back Doug Martin has played well, carrying the ball 132 times for 612 yards and three touchdowns. That's a per-carry average of 4.6 yards. Charles Sims is his backup, and he has 206 total yards behind him. Winston himself has rushed for 91 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Rushing may be their best hope against the Giants. New York ranks 19th in the league against the run, and Martin could be primed for a big game. The Giants rank at the absolute bottom of the league in pass defense, but do own the fifth-best interception rate in the league. The Buccaneers should come out in this one trying to run early and often.
How to Watch
When: 4:05 p.m. ET
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
TV: FOX
Commentators: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin
Online: NFL Game Pass
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