Three keys to victory for the Giants on Sunday against the Buccaneers:
1. Hold the line. Former Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said he plans on "bringing the house down" in his return to MetLife Stadium. After being traded to the Buccaneers in March, Pierre-Paul, who is seventh on the Giants' all-time sacks list, is on pace for 14 this season, which would be his highest total since recording 16.5 in the 2011 championship season. The offensive line can't let him – or any other Tampa Bay pass rusher for that matter – get there. The Giants used yet another combination up front in Monday's victory over San Francisco with newcomer Jamon Brown taking over at right guard. Eli Manning was sacked just once after being taken down 31 times in the eight games before the bye week. He had enough time to throw three touchdown passes, including the game-winner with 53 seconds remaining. The Giants also found some balance in the run game with Saquon Barkley having a career-high 20 carries.
"Yeah, I thought the offensive line did a great job, and I thought we did a good job mixing up different protections and different drops," Manning said. "Try to get the ball out on time and get it to our playmakers. I thought our concepts were concepts that our guys knew really well, and can get open in a timely fashion."
On the other side, defensive coordinator James Bettcher said generating pressure is one of two things the defense focused on coming back from San Francisco. The Giants have just 10 sacks in nine games, the second-fewest in the NFL.
"We've got to win some more one-on-ones," Bettcher said. "We've got to beat the back when we get on the back in protection. If we get a free runner, we've got to time up our pressures a little bit better. We had a couple of those this past week when our timing just wasn't good enough. We were a little late in the pressures and we've got to clean that up."
A look at the playmakers for the Buccaneers as the Giants prep for Week 11.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) runs a route during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) takes a defensive position during an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 in Tampa, Fla. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, November 4, 2018, in Charlotte, NC. The Panthers won 42-28. (Paul Abell via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a pass and runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Oh, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Tampa Bay tight end O.J. Howard (80) runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Oh, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) runs a route during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber (25) gets tripped up by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Coty Sensabaugh (24) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Vinny Curry (97) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) takes a defensive position during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 in Tampa, Fla. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Devante Bond (59) takes a defensive position during an NFL game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 in Tampa, Fla. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) blocks against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis (33) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen (66) during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, November 4, 2018, in Charlotte, NC. The Panthers won 42-28. (Paul Abell via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ali Marpet (74) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive guard Caleb Benenoch (77) during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, November 4, 2018, in Charlotte, NC. The Panthers won 42-28. (Paul Abell via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Demar Dotson (69) against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Adam Humphries (10) runs up field as teammate Donovan Smith (76) blocks Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Justin Evans (21) during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, November 4, 2018, in Charlotte, NC. The Panthers won 42-28. (Paul Abell via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Adarius Taylor (53) warms up, before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) takes a defensive position during an NFL game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 in Tampa, Fla. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Jordan Whitehead (31) warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brent Grimes (24) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
2. Get off the field on third down. The other area Bettcher circled for his defense was third down after the 49ers went 8-for-13 on their conversion attempts. "That's calls and execution," he said. "I've got to call a little better; we've got to execute a little better." Tampa Bay, which will start Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback in place of former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston for the seventh time this season, enters Week 11 as the No. 1 offense in total yards (452.8) and passing (361.2). The Buccaneers are fourth in both third down percentage (47.6 percent) and plays of 20 yards or more (47).
"These guys have been working really hard, and they haven't flinched one bit," Bettcher said of his defense. "I said that last time we visited about this group of guys and having the chance to coach them, is no matter good, bad, indifferent, these guys have been running to it. They've taken the criticism, they've taken the coaching, and they've taken ownership of their play to heart."
3. Taketh away. Turnovers tend to come in bunches, and after linebacker B.J. Goodson recorded his first two career interceptions last week, the Giants face a Buccaneers team that has turned the ball over a league-high 25 times (19 interceptions, six fumbles lost). Big Blue is still tied for 22th with just nine takeaways this season, but defenders like Janoris Jenkins and Landon Collins will be licking their chops come Sunday. That doesn't mean they should take ill-advised chances to get the turnovers.
"You take what you know," Collins said. "I wouldn't say chances, but different route concepts that you know that they're [going to] run and know you can get a key in on, yeah, you take your chance then. Other than just keep taking chances, no. You get beat then."
