THE Buccaneers are coming off their bye in dire need of a victory after losing their last four games. They delivered on their promise against the New York Giants, winning 30-7 and coming away with as complete and dominant a victory as they’ve had all season. The offense, led by a confident Baker Mayfield, was virtually unstoppable. The defense had arguably its best performance of the entire season, allowing the fewest points scored this year.
There are no duds on Tampa Bay’s roster after this win. The entire team performed in one way or another, either leading with dominant play or taking over to prevent the Giants from making the game competitive.
Here are the cleats from the Bucs’ big victory against the Giants.
BOY: Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield orchestrated an offensive rush in New Jersey, going 24 for 30 for 294 yards and adding 29 rushing yards and a dazzling touchdown for good measure. The stats weren’t Mayfield’s gaudiest this season, but the number that stood out was his 9.8 yards per attempt, his best average of the season and a clear indication that he was able to push the ball down the stretch. field against New York.
Mayfield also personally influenced other elements of the Bucs’ victory. He made a huge one-on-one play when Sean Tucker fumbled near the end zone in the second quarter, falling on the ball and ensuring the Bucs came away with points on the drive. He also blocked Bucky Irving’s 56-yard run in the fourth quarter.
BOY: Vita Vea
If Baker Mayfield had set the tone on offense, Vita Vea would have done the same on defense. The Bucs’ nose tackle was virtually unstoppable throughout the game, recording a quarterback hit, a tackle for a loss and a trademark railroad sack of Tommy DeVito:
Vea was also used as a fullback on a few goal-line runs, paving the way for a Sean Tucker touchdown on Tampa Bay’s first drive.
Vea played a key role in reestablishing Tampa Bay’s defensive identity. Tommy DeVito was under fire all day as his offensive line struggled to contain Vea, whose ability to push the pocket allowed chaos to reign in the backfield throughout the game.
BOY: Bucky Irving
The Bucs rookie running back had arguably his biggest game of the season, recording 151 total yards and a rushing touchdown. While Rachaad White has technically gotten the start, it appears Bucky Irving has overtaken him as Tampa Bay’s primary running back. His ability to navigate traffic and make room for himself was on full display, especially on his big 56-yard run in the fourth quarter. The addition of six receptions, the most by any Buccaneer today, is just another recognition of the value the team places on Irving.
BOY: Calijah Kancey
The Bucs’ other defensive tackle will likely haunt Tommy DeVito’s dreams for a while. Kancey lived in the Giants backfield for most of the day, sacking DeVito once, hitting him at least two other times and generally outrunning New York’s offensive line. Alongside Vita Vea, Kancey will play a key role in establishing Tampa Bay’s defensive identity throughout the season as the Bucs push for the playoffs.
BOY: Lavonte David
Lavonte David has been playing a little closer to his age than in recent years, but against the Giants he showed some of the playmaking ability of his younger years. When New York took a punt early in the second half, driving toward the Tampa Bay five-yard line, David killed the drive by forcing a Tyrone Tracy fumble that Calijah Kancey recovered.
David also had five tackles and an assist. As the veteran nears the end of his career, he still has a few game-changing games left as the Bucs play for another division title.
This article was originally published on Bucs Wire: The studs and misses from the Bucs’ Week 12 win over the Giants
