New York Giants Team Grades vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) drops a pass in the second half against the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium. The New York Giants defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-18. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Pass Defense Grade: B

After the disaster that was last week against the Saints, it was a really nice bounceback game for the Giants pass defense against the Buccaneers. Of course, Jameis Winston is not on the same level as Drew Brees, but Winston has been playing great in recent weeks and the Giants were able to slow him down a bit.

Winston finished the game 19-of-36 for 249 yards, but that could have easily been closer to 25-of-36 and over 300 yards as Winston was really let down by his No.1 receiver, Mike Evans. Evans was targeted a ton of times with 19, but had a case of the drops against the Giants. He had at least six in the game, and the weird part was that they came on relatively easy passes to catch. But he made the tough ones, still finishing with an impressive eight receptions for 152 yards.

He was the only real weapon Winston had to go to, as Vincent Jackson is out with a knee injury, and up-and-coming tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is also out and is week-to-week. Because of that, Evans was peppered with targets, receiving over half of Winston’s throws his way.

Adam Humphries was solid working underneath, a place the Giants have struggled to defend all season. He caught five passes for 55 yards as a pest in the slot for the Giants.

The Giants really got lucky today, as Evans had a chance to put together a truly monster game. They were also lucky the Bucs were so banged up, as he was the only real threat they had to watch and they did it constantly.

It was also encouraging to see Jason Pierre-Paul back on the field. He played more than anyone could have predicted, seeing the field for 46 of the Giants 63 defensive snaps. He has some things he still needs to improve on, but it was a very encouraging debut for Pierre-Paul, who was getting pressure on Winston late in the game when the Giants were trying to preserve their lead, something that hadn’t been happening in recent weeks.

The Hankins injury will hurt, as he was a pocket collapsing defensive tackle to help get pressure, and is strong in the run game.

Next: Rushing Defense Grade