Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players from the Giants’ 32-18 win over the Buccaneers:
New York Giants
– QB Eli Manning (0.0) was content to throw underneath yesterday, as just 11 of his 40 attempts traveled more than 10 yards in the air. Manning was at his best under pressure, finishing 9 of 12 for 75 yards and a touchdown. Odell Beckham Jr. (+0.5) was Manning’s top target, as usual, and while both of his interceptions came while targeting Beckham Jr., the first interception bounced off of his receiver’s hands.
– Jason Pierre-Paul (+0.1) started at right end in his first game of the season, and was New York’s most effective pass rusher. Pierre-Paul played 47 of the team’s 64 defensive snaps, and recorded two hits and four hurries for a team-best +1.2 pass rushing grade. He did not make much of an impact in the run game, but his pass rushing ability was a welcome sight for a Giants defense that currently ranks last in the NFL in our team pass rush grading. DT Jay Bromley (+1.9) was also productive off the bench, finishing with two run stops and two QB hits in his 31 snaps.
– New York’s offensive line was excellent, led by LG Justin Pugh (+2.9). Pugh was perfect in pass protection, and also finished with a game-high +1.9 run-blocking grade. RT Marshall Newhouse (+2.1) was also perfect in pass protection, while C Weston Richburg (+2.1) allowed just a single hurry and also earned a +1.4 run-blocking grade.
Top performers:
MLB Jasper Brinkley (+5.5)
LG Justin Pugh (+2.9)
DT Johnathan Hankins (+2.6)
LB Devon Kennard (+2.4)
C Weston Richburg (+2.1)
RT Marshall Newhouse (+2.1)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
– QB Jameis Winston (-1.6) saw his quarterback rating drop by nearly 30 points under pressure, and was fortunate that several of his passes were dropped by New York defenders, and not intercepted. Winston earned a -3.1 grade on his 19 snaps against pressure, compared to a +0.7 grade with a clean pocket. The rookie got very little help from the rest of the offense. Top receiver Mike Evans had eight catches for 155 yards, but was also targeted 19 times and dropped five passes. Outside of a 59-yard run by HB Charles Sims, Tampa’s rushing attack could not get anything going. With no running game, and very little receiving production outside of Evans, Tampa needed Winston to carry their offense and they fell just short.
– LB Lavonte David’s -6.4 overall grade is a new career-low mark in a disappointing season. David has earned a positive grade just once in 2015, and currently ranks last among 34 qualifying 4-3 OLBs with a -14.0 season grade. He missed four tackles, and was beaten repeatedly in coverage: Manning was 7 of 8 for 46 yards, a touchdown and a 130.2 QB rating when targeting David.
– Cornerbacks Sterling Moore (+3.0) and Alterraun Verner (+2.4) each earned their best grades of the season, largely due to their work on Odell Beckham Jr. Manning was 5 of 10 for 59 yards and two interceptions when Beckham Jr. was covered by either Moore or Verner.
Top performers:
CB Sterling Moore (+3.0)
CB Alterraun Verner (+2.4)
FS Keith Tandy (+1.4)
RT Gosder Cherilus (+1.3)
DT Henry Melton (+1.2)
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