4 key matchups to watch as Buccaneers take on Giants
By Jamil King
RB Saquon Barkley VS Buccaneers’ defense:
Normally this would be a running back against a front seven, but with Saquon, like McCaffery, it’s the entire unit that must step up and play well on Sunday. Barkley is the best player on the Giants (and it’s not even that close), and they will be trying to get him the ball in multiple different offensive looks.
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The Bucs’ defense has held their own against the run so far this season, Holding the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers both under 100 yards on the ground through the first two weeks of the season. While completely shutting down Christian McCaffery on Thursday night, the Buccaneers will again have their hands full with Barkley, who is averaging seven yards per carry to his point in the season.
Thus far through the first two games of the season, Barkley has already totaled 227 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground for the Giants; he has added another 47 yards receiving on seven catches as well. The linebackers will be tasked with covering in as a receiver and filling running lanes on the ground.
Vita Vea, Ndamukong Suh, and William Gholston will have to get pressure on the Giants’ offensive line, eat double teams, and keep the big boys from getting to the second level. The first two games have shown this Bucs’ defense is solid against the run, but Barkley is a whole new beast.