Game 11

Bucs (4-6) at Giants (2-8) 

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

TV: CBS (WTSP-TV Channel 10, locally) with Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Jason McCourty and AJ Ross.

Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+. (Geographic restrictions apply; subscription may be required).

Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network WXTB-FM 97.9 in the Tampa-St. Petersburg region (Transmisiones de radio en español en WTMP-FM 96.1 y WMGG-AM 1470 en Tampa). Additional stations throughout Florida on the Buccaneers Radio Network can be found here. The game also will be broadcast on SiriusXM Channel 386 (Buccaneers Radio Network feed).

Weather: Bundle up and get that grill fired up for some extra warmth. It’s going to be chilly in the New Jersey Swamplands, per AccuWeather.com. For tailgaters, look for the temps to be in the upper 40s. By kickoff, the temperature should be 54, not too bad. That should remain steady throughout the game. It will be partly sunny this morning at the Swamplands but by kickoff some clouds will roll in. Though the Swamplands is known for being windy, it appears there will be only mild winds not exceeding 10 mph.

Odds: Per BetMGM, as of midnight, Bucs -6 (-275); over/under 41.

Referees: If point spreads are any indication, the Bucs-Giants game today will be tight. That’s the history that referee Adrian Hill and his outfit have as they will work today’s game. Per Sharp Football Analysis, home teams in games called by Hill’s gang is 43-39. Additionally, most games Hill’s posse works also hit the under more often than not. So with an over/under of 41, that suggests today’s game will be low-scoring.

Injuries: Bucs — Doubtful: DB Tykee Smith (knee), CB Jamel Dean (hamstring), WR Mike Evans (hamstring), NT Greg Gaines (foot), CB Troy Hill (ankle/foot), CB Zyon McCollum (hamstring), LT Tristan Wirfs (knee). Giants — Questionable: WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles), LB Micah McFadden (heel), LB Darius Muasau (hamstring), WR Malik Nabers (groin), LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (wrist).

Outlook: It’s real simple: The Bucs cannot be farting around any longer. The Bucs have painted themselves into a corner with the mostly lousy play of its defense, specifically the past four games. In half of the Bucs’ six losses, the game was lost on the final drive of the game. That’s terrible for a defense with that kind of talent led by a defensive-minded coach. So it’s do or die. The Bucs likely cannot afford more than two losses and quite possibly just one loss in the final seven games. So winning today, and every game short of perhaps the Chargers, could likely be a backbreaker. What has Joe worried is Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ terrible 1-5 record in games following the bye, including five straight losses. The Bucs, of course, had last weekend off with the bye. Given the fact the Bucs will face Chief Illiniwek himself, Tommy Cutlets, who in the past has absolutely melted under the blitz, losing today’s game would be an out-and-out disgrace. There is no way around it: The Bucs must win today. If the Bucs drop a game to this sad sack tanking team with a third-string quarterback starting and a full two weeks to prepare, that might be enough to fire up the Coach Watch machine for the 2025 season.

Fun facts: It seems Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has been a road warrior since he first signed with the Bucs. In his 27 regular season games in Tampa Bay, Mayfield, in 13 road starts with the Bucs, has accounted 30 touchdowns (28 passing touchdowns) against seven picks. That’s the most touchdowns on the road by an NFL quarterback for the same timeframe. …  RB Rachaad White is one of only four running backs who have over 120 catches since the start of the 2022 season. White is also looking for his fifth game in a row with a touchdown. … DT Vita Vea aims for his fourth consecutive road game with a sack. … DT Calijah Kancey already has a career-high four sacks in a season. In the five games he has played this season, he has seven tackles for loss. … Giants QB Tommy Devito gets his first start of the season. In his past nine games, Devito has eight touchdown passes and two picks. … RB Tyrone Tracy leads all rookie running backs with three games of 100 yards rushing or more. … DL Dexter Lawrence has four sacks in five games at the New Jersey Swamplands. … S Tyler Nubin had a career-high 12 tackles in the Giants’ last game, a 20-17 loss to the Stinking Panthers. He leads all rookies with 69 tackles.