This was a case of total domination yesterday in Tampa as the Giants pushed the Bucs around on both sides of the football.  The Giants rolled up 397 total yards of offense in this game (226 rushing, 170 passing) as they had possession of the football for a stunning 43:38!  Eli Manning was effective as usual completing 14 of 24 passes for 161 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 interceptions.  Brandon Jacobs did the heavy lifting in the running game as he carried the ball 26 times for 92 yards (3.5 ypc).  But, Ahmad Bradshaw led the team with 104 yards rushing on only 14 carries (7.4 ypc) in this game.  Steve Smith was the leading receiver in this game for the Giants with 7 catches for 63 yards (9.0 avg) with a TD grab. 

The defense was awesome in this game for the Giants.  CBs Corey Webster (4 tackles) and Terrell Thomas (3 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception) led the way for the Giants’ in this game.  The Bucs finished up with only 86 total yards of offense in this game (28 rushing, 58 passing).  The Giants are now 3-0 on the season.

The only way the Bucs have a chance to beat the Giants this week is if the Giants overlook them.  That is not likely with Tom Coughlin as the head coach.  The Giants can pick what they want to do on offense this week as the Bucs allow 168.0 yards rushing per game (5.7 ypc) and they also allow 282.0 yards passing per game (118.7 QB Rating against).  The Giants will likely try to run the ball with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw first against the soft front seven of the Bucs.  That will set up play action passing with Eli Manning looking for WRs Steve Smith and Mario Manningham down the field.  The Giants will also likely try to get TE Kevin Boss more involved in the passing game this week due to the injuries the Bucs have at safety.

The Buccaneers should try to eat the clock with the running game.  Derrick Ward will start against his old team this week and that could motivate him to have a big game.  The Giants are allowing 168.0 yards rushing per game (6.7 ypc) so far this season and that’s what the Bucs should try to exploit.  Cadillac Williams and Ernest Graham should also get into the action with Ward against the Giants on the ground.  The Giants have issues at strong safety so the Bucs will likely attack them there with Kellen Winslow (12 rec, 120 yards, TD). 

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 31, BUCS 21

The Giants have claimed 25-year old safety Aaron Rouse off waivers from the Packers.  Rouse had 12 tackles in the first two games for the Packers this season before suffering a neck stinger.  The Packers thought he would get through waivers unclaimed but the Giants had a need.  Rouse has played in 27 games in his NFL career and he has made 90 tackles, defensed 7 passes and he has 4 interceptions (173 return yards, 1 TD).  Rouse is a hard hitter who is better against the run than the pass.  He should help the Giants when he gets healthy.

The Giants will be without 22-year old strong safety Kenny Phillips for the season due to arthritis in his left knee.  That is a shame as Phillips was off to a great start for the Giants this year.  In the Giants first two games of the season, Phillips made 13 tackles, defensed 2 passes and he had 2 interceptions.  He will be replaced in the starting lineup by C.C. Brown which will be a big dropoff.  Brown has 4 tackles this season for the Giants.

The Giants will be without starting left DE Justin Tuck for the next 1-2 weeks due to a shoulder injury.  He has made six tackles, has 1.5 sacks, a tackle for a loss and one pass defensed.  Luckily for the Giants they have a lot of quality depth to cover for Tuck while he is out.  Mathias Kiwanuka will replace Tuck and start at LDE.  He has 6 tackles and 2 tackles for a loss so far this season.  He will do a good job.  Osi Umenyiora will also see his snaps rise while Tuck is out.  He has 5 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and he has defensed a pass already this season.  The Giants are in good hands despite Tuck’s injury.