Three keys to a Bucs win

Tampa - Right out of the gate I need to tip my hat to the Bucs last Sunday. 

 

I didn’t think they would be able to take out Carolina this early in the season, but they did with relative ease.

 

The Bucs defense was pretty darn good, and I was also impressed with their special teams led by K Connor Barth.

 

Needless to say, my pick of Carolina minus the points went down the toilet.

 

But I am back for another week refreshed and looking ahead to Sunday’s game against the Giants.

 

Let’s just put it straight out there, NY stunk it up against the Cowboys.

 

NY’s offensive line allowed three sacks of Manning.  Dallas’s D had a lot of fun last Wednesday night.

 

That brings up a point that I think will play against the Giants.  NY had too much time to think about that opening week loss to the Cowboys.

 

Too much time to think that their offensive line better get its act together this week or Manning will be on his keester again. 

 

On the flip side, I don’t like the idea of RT Jeremy Trueblood not practicing today (Thursday).

 

He was on the bike and that was the extent of his workout.

 

Without Trueblood that takes the right side of that line and makes it very vulnerable.

 

Demar Dotson would replace Trueblood, putting him side-by-side with Ted Larsen, who is now the starting RG with the injury to Davin Joseph.

 

If there’s strength to the Giants, it’s their defensive line, although they are moderately thin due to injuries.  Nonethessless, they can get after you, and you know NY will be putting pressure on that area any time they can.

 

That also brings into question whether the Bucs can be successful run blocking for rookie Doug Martin, who road week one to 95 yards rushing.

 

I liked what he said to me when I asked him if he thought the Giants D would be a totally different animal than what he faced against Carolina.

 

Martin said: “You can’t go into it believing all the hype.  I look at it (NY) as a faceless opponent.  You can’t worry about what they were a year ago.  Just go out there and be successful.”

 

Here’s my three keys to the game:

 

1. Bucs need to start quick again this week.  Can’t allow Giants to get on a roll.

 

2. Bucs D-line must put pressure on Eli Manning.  I’m a bit concerned about Cam Newton’s 301 yards passing last week.

 

3. K Connor Barth- 3-3 last week.  He was the difference and may again this week if he gets the chance.

 

Bucs haven’t fared well against the Giants in their last two meetings.  NY beat the spread easily.

 

I have to believe the Giants aren’t as bad as they looked in week one and the Bucs won’t be as dominating as they were against Carolina.

 

Somewhere the truth lies in the middle.

 

With a bit more than tinge of confidence, I’m taking the Bucs and the 7 ½ points.

 

Not saying they’ll win, but I think they have enough to keep the end result to seven or less points.

 

TK’S PICK:  BUCS + 7 ½ POINTS

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