4 Buccaneers who need to step up in Week 12 vs. Giants

After a topsy-turvy start to the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come out of their bye week with a singular focus. The Bucs are 4-6, but the softest part of the team's schedule lies ahead, a stretch of games that begins on Sunday afternoon against the hapless New York Giants.

Fans who have watched the team long enough to know better are feeling the anxiety of facing a team that Tampa Bay should beat. The Giants are one of the worst teams in the league, are in the running for the No. 1 pick, and just released Daniel Jones after benching him for Tommy DeVito.

It's total chaos in East Rutherford, which is why the Bucs traveling there on Sunday is more of a perfect opportunity to bounce back than a potential trap game.

That being said, nothing comes easy for Tampa Bay, and if the team wants to avoid its most embarrassing loss of the season—one that would almost certainly push them into the abyss of a lost season—a few players will need to step up.

4 Buccaneers who need to step up in Week 12 vs. Giants

Vita Vea, DT

Vea has been terrific as a pass rusher this year. He ranks in the top 25 for defensive tackles in quarterback pressures, sacks, and hurries.

The same can not be said for his performance against the run. According to Pro Football Focus, Vea ranks 42nd in run defense grade for defensive tackles. As a unit, the Buccaneers have sometimes struggled against the run. They're 16th in rushing yards allowed per game (125.2).

Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. comes into the matchup averaging 106.7 rushing yards per game in his last three contests. The Tampa Bay defensive line must limit his production. They will look to build off the performance against the San Francisco 49ers, where they limited Christian McCaffrey to 39 yards rushing.

Jamel Dean, CB

Unfortunately, Jamel Dean has been out since Week 7, but he was activated off IR, and his 21-day window to return has been opened, so there's some hope that he could be back soon. It's a return that is desperately needed, as the Bucs' defense has been struggling and seems to be teetering on the brink of total collapse.

The defense has allowed the fourth-most passing yards, the ninth-most yards per completion, the fifth-most passing touchdowns, and the seventh-worst completion percentage.

Cornerback Zyon McCollum looks on track to play, but safety Tykee Smith is trending toward being out with a knee injury after not practicing Thursday and Friday. The Tampa Bay secondary can't afford any more injuries with how thin it is and how poorly it has played as a unit.

With Malik Nabers coming to town and Tommy Devito as his starting quarterback, we could see a new, slightly improved Giants passing attack.

Cody Mauch, G

The story of the Buccaneers offensive line has been elite pass protection but poor run blocking. Over the last several weeks, Mauch has had a tough time.

According to Pro Football Focus, Mauch has an average run-blocking grade of 47.9 in the last three games. In that span, their rushing yards per game have dropped to 102.3 compared to their season average of 125.3.

The Giants have allowed the seventh-most total rushing yards, fourth-most rushing yards per game and the most yards per carry in 2024. This is the area they need to attack in order to have success in Week 12.

Bucky Irving, RB

Irving has averaged an abysmal 41 yards rushing per game in his last four games. Although he makes up for some of that in the receiving game, the Tampa Bay offense should look to expose a weak Giants run defense.

As mentioned above, the Giants have struggled mightily to stop the run. With Mike Evans back in the mix, that should mean lighter boxes for Irving and more room to run. However, Dexter Lawrence and Micah McFadden, the Giants two best-run defenders, will be active on Sunday.

More good news for the offense is that offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs looks to be trending in the right direction to suit up on Sunday.

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