Following the Giants' 38-35 victory over the Buccaneers, here is how the experts reacted to the team's second consecutive win:
"The Giants got their first win at home in the Pat Shurmur era, which is good for a team that is looking much better in recent weeks. A big reason why: The play of Eli Manning, who many left for dead early in the season, and the emergence of Saquon Barkley. New York again relied heavily on Barkley (27 carries, 142 yards, two touchdowns, one receiving TD), who looks every bit as good as most thought he'd be before New York took him No. 2 overall in the spring. As a result, Manning is throwing less, producing better results. Sunday, it was a 17-of-18 passing line that included 231 yards and two touchdowns, and likely a much happier receiving corps. It's been a rough season, but this has been a pleasant development for Shurmur's staff, though they'll still need to look to the future at the position in the offseason."
"The Giants defense feasted on a turnover-prone Buccaneers offense, intercepting Ryan Fitzpatrick three times before Fitzpatrick was benched in favor of Jameis Winston in the third quarter. The Buccaneers, whose defense represented a Pop Warner unit, own the worst turnover ratio in the NFL. These two elements provided an excellent elixir to the Giants."
"Around the NFC East, things continued to come up Giants, who have one game remaining with each of their three primary rivals. Beckham started a locker room mantra when the Giants were 1-7 and on their bye week -- win eight straight and get in the playoffs -- and maybe it isn't as crazy as it sounds."
"1972 Dolphins may have popped the champagne too soon: Jamon Brown is undefeated this season (7-0 with Rams, 2-0 with Giants)."
"Win or lose, Mike Thomas needs to be NFC Special Teams POTW this week. He's had a helluva game."
"Saquon Barkley said this week he would carry the ball 2 or 38 times, whatever necessary to win. Giants needed a career-high 27 in 38-35 win over Bucs. He finished with 142 yards, 3 total TDs. It helped Giants start their first winning streak since Dec. 2016, a span of 700 days"
"The Giants scored 38 points for the first time since a 52-49 loss at Saints on Nov. 1, 2015. And they won two in a row for the first time since since Weeks 14 and 15 of 2016 season (Dec. 11 vs. Dallas and Dec. 18 vs. Lions)."
