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Buccaneers game grades: 2017 Week 4 vs New York Giants

By David Harrison

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 01: Nick Folk #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is mobbed by teammates after kicking the game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expires in a game against the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs defeated the Giants 25-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 01: Nick Folk #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is mobbed by teammates after kicking the game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expires in a game against the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs defeated the Giants 25-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 01: Jacquizz Rodgers #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers breaks a tackle against Olivier Vernon #54 of the New York Giants in the first quarter of a game at Raymond James Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 01: Jacquizz Rodgers #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers breaks a tackle against Olivier Vernon #54 of the New York Giants in the first quarter of a game at Raymond James Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

The Buccaneers ran just seven times against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. This week, they ran the ball with Jacquizz Rodgers six times in the first quarter alone, and ten times in the first half.

For their efforts, Rodgers, Charles Sims and Peyton Barber combined for 60-yards on those ten carries.

The biggest may have been the 36-yard sprint Rodgers took deep into Giants territory, which set-up the touchdown pass from Winston to Evans just one play later.

There were those of us at The Pewter Plank who called for more Peyton Barber, and we aren’t alone in that sentiment apparently.

Barber ended the game with just two runs for two yards. Hopefully we get more Barber as the season moves forward.

Something we’ve been wanting to see, and actually did, was the Buccaneers establishing the run game early.

We covered what the team did in the first half, but it was the second half which really pleasantly surprised me.

On the Bucs’ first possession in the third quarter, Rodgers carried the ball five times for 29-yards and helped put the team in field goal range trying to expand their 16-10 lead at the time.

To his credit, Rodgers looked solid all day.

The Buccaneers running game ate up 111-yards on 23 combined carries. They didn’t find the end zone, but man did they help Tampa pull out this victory by helping establish some early control of the line of scrimmage.

Doug Martin is expected to be active for Tampa’s next game against the New England Patriots, so stay tuned to this group as they gain a Pro Bowl caliber player with something to prove.

GRADE: B

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