New York Giants Team Grades vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New York Giants defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-18. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Rush Defense Grade: A-
Seeing the full stats that the Buccaneers have may make this grade seem like a questionable one. The Buccaneers totaled 136 yards on 23 carries, an impressive average of 5.9 per carry. But taking a deeper look, the Giants actually had a very strong day defending the run. If you take out the 59-yard run by Charles Sims in the fourth quarter, the Bucs struggled mightily on the ground.
On the other 22 carries, the Bucs managed only 77 yards, good for an average of 3.5 per carry. That is encouraging for the Giants, who had been gashed in recent weeks on the ground by opposing teams. Outside that long run, the only person to have any real success against the Giants was Winston, who scrambled three times for 24 yards. He had an impressive scramble for a touchdown that brought the Bucs within two points about midway through the fourth quarter.
Other than that, it was a struggle. Doug Martin, who is having a nice bounceback season, was held in check by the Giants, gaining only 31 yards on 11 carries. He also fumbled once, as Hankins forced it and Jasper Brinkley recovered it.
Brinkley had a strong afternoon and came up huge for the Giants. With Jon Beason being put in IR over the weekend, and Uani Unga being inactive, third-stringer Brinkley had to take over in the middle. He did an outstanding job, leading the team with seven tackles. One of them went for a loss, and also forced the fumble on Sims on the Bucs first drive of the second half.
It was an impressive showing for Brinkley, and should be rewarded with more playing time in the coming weeks as his veteran presence should help a Giants team lacking much experience in some areas of the defense.
Next: Special Teams Grade