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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 1: Tight end Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates in the end zone after hauling in a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jameis Winston during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 1: Tight end Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates in the end zone after hauling in a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jameis Winston during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Even in the Buccaneers’ Week 3 loss on the road, this unit looked solid.

This week was more of the same, and I’d expect it to stay that way through the remainder of the season too.

We’ve already covered Evans’ first quarter touchdown catch, but it was the way he did it which was even more impressive.

The star receiver dominated second-year cornerback Eli Apple. The first Bucs possession was one Apple will want to forget, but it helped Evans get going as he finished the day with five catches, 67-yards, and the one score.

That score moved Evans into third all-time in Bucs history as well.

James Yarcho called for the tight ends to get more involved this week, and man was he right.

It all started with the rookie Howard who caught his first scoring reception of his young career on a 58-yard play where the Giants obviously blew some coverage assignments.

For those who haven’t seen the young man’s first score, let’s help you out:

Tight ends weren’t done getting involved though, as Cameron Brate made some key catches during the game including a big 35-yard reception in the second quarter. On the play, the once undrafted free-agent absolutely bulldozed through Giants stud safety Landon Collins. It got me excited anyways.

Finally, what can we say about Adam Humphries. Another undrafted star on this offense, Humphries has been so invaluable to this team’s climb up the league ladder.

He was at it again this week as he made multiple big plays including a big first-down conversion and a fourth quarter catch which put the Buccaneers on the Giants 14-yard line.

It was Brate again, who caught a fourth quarter touchdown pass giving his team a 22-17 lead.

Then, when the win was in limbo, Winston found his tight end again for a 26-yard completion taking the ball down to the Giants 13-yard line.

The receivers and tight ends came through for their team when they needed them to.

Which is good, because they’re going to need them to again, next week against New England.

Still no big game from DeSean Jackson, but his presence is very much known by the defense. He finished with 20-yards on two catches.

Humphries led the team with six receptions, and it was Brate whose 80-yards led the team in that statistic.

GRADE: A

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