giants @ bucs: the playoff preview
skiFinally, a game which really matters to the Bucs. After two weeks of what has resembled exhibition play we get to witness a textbook example of competing strategies: is it better to rest your starters or to play them? Before we get to my 100% unbiased opinion on the game let’s take a look at the numbers.
BY THE NUMBERS (DVOA explained here)
Buccaneers
Offense: ppg, 20.9 (#18) - DVOA, 7.7% (#10)
Defense: ppg, 16.9 (#3) - DVOA, -10.2% (#4)
Giants
Offense: ppg, 23.3 (#14) - DVOA, -2.5% (#19)
Defense: ppg, 21.9 (#17) - DVOA, -2.9% (#14)
It’s no secret that Giants back Brandon Jacobs will cause problems for a Bucs defense which has typically struggled against bigger running backs. But with the exception of matching up against the Giants run game the Bucs have the statistical advantage in every other facet of the game. Worth noting is that the Bucs finished with the best pass defense in the NFL and should matchup well against Eli Manning and his receivers especially with Jeremy Shockey out for the game.
Random Stat of the Week: 2
As in 2 people (that I know of) predicted a 9-7 record for the Bucs: myself and Greg Easterbrook.
Overplayed Story of the Week: RESPECT
Plaxico Burress is an idiot if he thinks really thinks Ronde Barber was disrespecting him.
Battling Bucs Playoff Quizzes of the Week: Times versus Tribune
Tampa Tribune, you are kicked off the Survivor Buccaneer Playoff Quiz Island.
Giants Cheerleader of the Week: Big, Fat Shirtless Guy
And that’s it because the Giants are too cool for cheerleaders.
Buccaneer Cheerleader of the Week: Jessica Diaz
See New York, this is what a cheerleader should look like.
YouTube Clip of the Week: Red is for Losers
I imagine this is what all Giants fans sound like (and God Bless Adult Swim).
Bonus YouTube Clip of the Week: Eli Manning is… Unstoppable
A well played parody of one of the worst commercials on television.
Hearty Adios of the Week: Warren Sapp
Good Sir, you are well deserved of a bust in Canton.
Bucs Blog of the Week: Kissing Suzy Kolber
For the 2nd time in it’s 3 week history this honor goes to a non-Bucs blog for their post describing Eli’s difficulty differentiating between Ronde and Tiki.
100% Unbiased Opinion of the Week: Bucs Will Win
The Giants are limping into this game while the Bucs have been able to rest their starters. The Giants will come out swinging but will get worn down more quickly as the game goes on and Tampa Bay will pull away with the win in the second half. After all, the Giants are still starting the mistake prone Eli Manning.
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January 5th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Both teams are riding on a lot of momentum and confidence. I like the Giants with their good showing against the Patriots last weekend.
January 6th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
NASCAR — what Momentum were the Bucs riding? They’d lost their last 3 games or so. Oh, they ensured themselves a playoff berth by winning the NFC south — which was the weakest division in Football this year.
Tony Dungy got fired after consistent first round loses. Jon Gruden has done the same while having a worse in-season record since his hiring. He’s missed the playoffs with several debacle seasons…
And yet everyone will crow that he deserves another chance because he was dealing with injuries and blah-blah-blah. Excuses are just that. Show him the door.