Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Buccaneers-Giants
November 24th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Look out, Atlanta.
With Sunday’s dominant effort at the Meadowlands, the Buccaneers announced their intentions of chasing down the slumping Falcons atop the NFC South. The rest of the schedule appears favorable for Tampa Bay, although the upcoming Panthers are playing some good football.
If the Bucs win five of their remaining six games to finish 10-7, the Falcons will need to go at least 4-2 to win the division. Given Atlanta’s shaky play in recent weeks, that looks like a stretch.
The Bucs took command early in the swamps of Jersey and made quick work of the 2-9 Giants. The offense and defense took turns squeezing the life out of New York — sending frustrated Giant fans speeding toward the exits.
It was a complete performance, snapping a 4-game losing streak and giving the Bucs added confidence they can make a late-season surge for the second consecutive year.
Baker Mayfield was virtually flawless, Mike Evans made his presence felt and rookie Bucky Irving was sensational. The offensive line provided sturdy protection and opened up big holes as Tampa Bay rolled up 450 yards.
Not to be outdone, a beleaguered defense was not going to suffer a letdown against Tommy DeVito, who was sacked four times and hit on nine occasions.
Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, YaYa Diaby and Anthony Nelson were dynamic up front while the arrival of Mike Edwards seemed to have a calming effect on a secondary that played with more physicality and precision.
The Bucs delivered a first-half clinic that left no doubt about the outcome.
En route to a 23-0 halftime lead, Tampa Bay owned a 17-3 advantage in first downs and a 290-45 difference in total yards while limiting the Giants to a mere 18 snaps.
Eighteen.
All this without stud left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who might be ready for Carolina.
It may have been one of the best halves of Buccaneer football since the opening 30 minutes of the 2003 Super Bowl against the Raiders. Liam Coen kept New York’s defense off balance while the bye week gave Todd Bowles an opportunity to self-scout his defensive woes.
The improvement was startling.
DeVito never had a chance as a strong pass rush threw off his rhythm. Bowles timed his blitzes well and New York’s suspect offensive line was overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, Mayfield had ample time to survey the field and go through his progressions. On the few occasions protection broke down, Mayfield used his legs and toughness to punish the Giants, highlighted by an acrobatic TD run.
The Giants are a lousy team going through the motions, but that doesn’t diminish how well the visitors played on a crisp fall afternoon.
You want to quibble? Here’s one: why was Mayfield still in the game late in the fourth quarter, especially after he was dinged up in a collision with Luke Goedeke?
That’s right, you really have to nitpick if you’re looking for things that need to be corrected before the Bucs head off to Charlotte.
Here’s how the Bucs returned to the winning track with a 30-7 rout that surely grabbed the attention of the 6-5 Falcons:
* I pleaded for Irving to receive 18 touches from scrimmage — and 18 touches he was granted. All he did was gain 87 yards on the ground and catch all six passes sent his way for an additional 64 yards. You want big plays? How about a 56-yard run and a 32-yard reception? This kid makes the kind of sharp cuts you can’t teach … and he’s only getting started. Mark him down for 1,000 rushing yards in 2025. On second thought, he may get there this year.
* It’s not easy to find a Buccaneer who didn’t play well. Chris Izien led all Tampa Bay defenders with 10 tackles and Zyon McCollum also had a good day. Mayfield probably deserved the game ball, but he had plenty of competition.
* Memo to Sean Tucker: Work on those new kickoff rules.
* Even with Wirfs sidelined, the Bucs built a secure pocket for Mayfield. He threw 30 passes and wasn’t sacked. Heck, he was hit only twice. Don’t look now, but Goedeke deserves Pro Bowl consideration at right tackle.
* Remember when the Bucs had major issues scoring touchdowns in the opening half? Those days are OVER.
* We’ll never know for sure, but the return of Evans seemed to open things up for some big plays. The Bucs gained at least 26 yards on six different snaps Sunday while the offensively challenged Giants had only two snaps that went for more than 17 yards.
* Even the most ardent Bowles skeptics have to admit the Bucs were geeked to play well coming off the bye. Tampa Bay fans deserved a laugher after a grim month.
* Besides his scoring run, Mayfield led the downfield blocking on Irving’s 56-yard burst. His enthusiasm for the game is contagious. He may not have Josh Allen’s arm, but Mayfield plays with the same abandon. He’s the leader of this team, period.
* The Giants have scored the fewest points in the league and DeVito gets sacked a lot, but Tampa Bay’s defense played with noticeably more energy and aggression. They’ll have to maintain that attitude the rest of the way to have any chance for a fourth consecutive NFC South title.
* The Falcons hear those pewter footsteps rumbling up I-75. Raheem Morris often talks about a “Race to 10” in describing what it will take to make the playoffs. Count the Bucs out at your own peril.
November 24th, 2024 at 8:22 pm
If Mayfield had a slightly more accurate arm, he’d be the second coming of Drew Brees.
Shepherd was a waste…again.
November 24th, 2024 at 8:22 pm
Still feel we turtles a bit in the 2md half rather than keeping foot on the gas.
We went away from the quick passing game and started running up the guy not getting much out of it.
A better opponent might have been allowed to catch up.
November 24th, 2024 at 8:24 pm
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Giants suck! I loved today’s effort. Let’s see if we can sustain it. Bucky needs to start and get the bulk of the carries. Dude is special.
November 24th, 2024 at 8:27 pm
Amen over there Sage. 29 comes to play. GO BUCS.
November 24th, 2024 at 8:52 pm
It was great to see the defense not playing down to the Giants. We should dominate a bad team like this and we did.
I thought Mike Edwards played well and we will need him after Whitehead’s pec injury. ME13’s hammy seemed to survive the game. The OL played very well against a very good Giant front. Winfield was a little better but he dropped a very easy interception.
My biggest concern is the offensive fumbles. Carolina and other teams will be attacking the ball after seeing today’s tape.
November 24th, 2024 at 9:00 pm
Mayfield may not have the arm of Allen but he has all the arm the Bucs need. He has been $$$.
November 24th, 2024 at 9:08 pm
Sage, I went over all 10 of your takeaways twice. Good points, humor and reasoned thinking all much appreciated and enjoyed. But “he may not have Josh Allen’s arm”, better research that a little further Ira. Just saying.
November 24th, 2024 at 9:11 pm
Great article.
November 24th, 2024 at 9:27 pm
The blowout that shouldve been….all good against ish….easy todd stuff because they suck….why the celebrating? we suck too….we’re nothing!
November 24th, 2024 at 9:42 pm
You are crazy dude. I love Bake. Does he have flaws. Absolutely but name me 3 qbs that don’t. Dude is a top 10 qb in the league this season. If he had any semblance of a defense we would be 9-2 and fighting for the 1 seed being we had tiebreaker over the Lions. Shake n Bake!
November 24th, 2024 at 9:45 pm
Our coach sucks Mad Max but the team itself does NOT!
November 24th, 2024 at 9:46 pm
Ira, the “quibble” over Mayfield parking it after the stinger is legit. Bucs were stomping N.Y. with just a few minutes left in the 4th. There was no reason why Baker didn’t sit them out. He’s got to stay healthy and upright. What was his problem, Trask? Spare me. Coen vs. Canales makes an interesting match next Sunday.
November 24th, 2024 at 10:26 pm
Play em like a puppet ira. A little too much love in this article though. Stop mentioning Atlanta or Kirk cousins even 509 it triggers anxiety. Big time praise is reserved for beating big time teams, not winning in a month doesn’t really count. It was good to see Mike Evans back out on the field.
November 24th, 2024 at 11:42 pm
For all that said this was a trap game, I hope you’re enjoying your crow!!
GO BUCS!! On to Carolina!
November 25th, 2024 at 12:21 am
Good to see a win, but NY is a team that has quit. They did Drew Lock dirty, going to Devito for $ sake. The players knew it, and rewarded their franchise appropriately.
Several more traps on the schedule – Carolina (x2) where Canales knows Bowles’ tendencies and is coaching for his job, given Tepper’s track record. Pierce in the same boat in LV, and I’m sure Brady can help them, too.
They STILL turtled in the 2nd half. Sheesh – at least wait until 4th quarter.
November 25th, 2024 at 12:32 am
@Mac, doggone straight, our players DO NOT suck…I LOVE my guys…they handled business today!!! Time to get ready for the next one.
November 25th, 2024 at 1:15 am
Bowles should be gone next season regardless of how well the Bucs finish. Keeping Baker in the game was inviting disaster. Losing twice to the beatable Falcons was his fault: he doesn’t know when to blitz and when not to play zone defense.
If the Bucs don’t run the table – okay, they’ll likely lose to the Chargers but every other opponent should be a gimme – I hope “Bowels” gets wiped out of Tampa Bay.
November 25th, 2024 at 1:43 am
There is one obstacle keeping this team from competing for the NFC Championship. It’s the circus clown.
November 25th, 2024 at 4:14 am
Mike should have rested. We could have won without him.
The Giants just laid over for us.
A few of their young guys played hard but their vets took the day off
Mike should have taken the day off as well.
He may not be 100% again this year. This was the week to take off.
November 25th, 2024 at 6:02 am
The Bucs came to play and set the momentum! Loving the entire Baker arm and Bucky sensation and so much more. It was exhilarating. Raheem is definitely watching as well as Canales and other teams too. Bucs showed their dominance.
November 25th, 2024 at 7:31 am
We beat the worst team in the entire NFL. Good for us. HOWEVER the word playoffs should be banned from this website until we actually make enough noise to warrant it. Just for the record if this team loses to Carolina next week Bowles should be shown the door immediately thereafter.
Every single one of you know that’s a distinct possibility.
November 25th, 2024 at 8:43 am
Until we play with equal intensity in the 2nd half, our chances will wither away. We Cannot be a Half Coached team! Wake Up, Todd!
November 25th, 2024 at 10:05 am
BucU not every single one of us. It’s a possibility sure, but certainly not distinct. Any fan that says Canales and Young can hang with Liam and Baker must be a little goofy to say the least. And don’t start on Bowles and our defense.
November 25th, 2024 at 10:34 am
Was anyone else irritated that the Giants were calling timeouts in the final two minutes? The Bucs should have put up 100 points on them if they are going to do that garbage.
November 25th, 2024 at 11:02 am
The reason Canales and Young will hang with Liam and Baker has nothing to do with Liam and Baker and everything to do with the “architect” of Cover Who? It was even there to be seen yesterday in the second half.
Liam isn’t going anywhere. As for the defensive masturmind who can flatten a sharp team at halftime and lose with the game in the bag, follow him to Temple or into commercial real estate.