The Pewter Plank
FanSided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 8
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball against Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the game on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball against Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the game on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Leading into this game, this was the unit looked at the hardest as the Buccaneers are missing two Pro Bowl caliber leaders from this group.

Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David weren’t on the field in Week 4 against the Giants, but their understudies held their own pretty well.

On one particular Giants possession, Adarious Glanton broke up a pass to Sterling Shepard on 3rd-and-2. The ensuing punt gave the Bucs the ball at their own 44-yard line. This was a big shift in field position, and helped the team take early momentum over their visitors.

On another play early in the game, rookie Kendall Beckwith put a big hit on Perkins, the New York running back, but missed a possible interception as he was homing in on the back.

We all saw a lack of fire in the Bucs defense last week, but the heat brought on by Beckwith was noticed quickly.

When you’re relying on back-ups there are bound to be some miscues though. They’re expected, you just hope they don’t doom the team.

On the Giants’ first touchdown of the game, the linebacker group faded too far away from quarterback Eli Manning and gave him a clear path from the pocket to the end zone 14-yards away.

I don’t know how many rushing scores this Manning has, but I can promise it isn’t a lot.

Later, in the third quarter while the Buccaneers were holding a six point lead, nobody covered rookie Wayne Gallman out of the backfield and the former Clemson Tiger took a 4-yard reception for his first NFL score.

Following a made extra point, this gave New York their first lead of the game.

Tampa Bay would regain the lead, but in the fourth quarter the linebackers would over compensate and follow Manning too far outside the pocket.

Must Read: Buccaneers Responding

The drift gave the quarterback space to find tight end Rhett Ellison who brought in a 2-yard touchdown pass, and regained the lead for his team.

None of these sins turned out to be fatal, and the Buccaneers are one week closer to being healthy at linebacker. If Alexander can’t go again in Week 5, then the experience gained will be big as they play against the Patriots.

If he can, then the entire defense will gain back their life-blood as we all have noticed the defense just plays better when he’s in there.

GRADE: C

Home/Bucs News