Buccaneers at Giants Takeaways: The FitzMagic is over

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is sacked by linebacker Kareem Martin #96 of the New York Giants in the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is sacked by linebacker Kareem Martin #96 of the New York Giants in the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Jameis Winston: The Rightful Starter

With an impressive second-half performance where he led four straight touchdowns drives, Winston moved back up to the top of the quarterback depth chart.

Tampa Bay was down 24-7 in the third quarter, head coach Dirk Koetter had no choice but to send Winston into the game. Fitzpatrick threw interceptions on back-to-back drives. The game was trending towards a blowout.

More from The Pewter Plank

Winston took advantage of another opportunity. He kept the game alive. If the defense was able to get a stop late, the Buccaneers could have escaped New Jersey with a win.

There is no denying that Winston was lucky on more than a few occasions. He fumbled at the goal line, only for Evans to jump onto the ball and he was fortunate the Giants dropped a few potential interceptions.

Cairo Santos

Talk about leaving a good first impression.

There was barely a mention of Buccaneers kicker Cairo Santos during Sunday’s game.  For most NFL kickers, that is a good thing.  Santos didn’t attempt a field goal, but he nailed all five of his extra point attempts.