Buccaneers gave the Giants the Blues!
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured their NFC Wildcard spot with a 22-14 victory over the New York Giants Sunday afternoon in Giants Stadium. Earlier in the day, the Washington Redskins lost to the St. Louis Rams, so the Giants blew a golden opportunity to tie the Skins for the NFC Eastern Division lead.
The Buccaneers’ defense was the story in this game as it has been all season. The Bucs held the Giants to 267 total yards and 138 in the air. The Bucs harassed Giant QB Danny Kanell all day long. They sacked him six times and DT Warren Sapp was all over the place. He had two sacks on the day.
The Buccaneers had a decent day from their offense. QB Trent Dilfer was 17 of 34 for 197 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. Mike Alstott rushed for 48 yards and caught a 35-yard pass. RB Warrick Dunn rushed for 24 yards and caught four passes for 51 yards and two TDs.
The Giants got 88 yards rushing from rookie RB Tiki Barber. QB Kanell was 16 of 31 for 170 yards and a touchdown. WR Chris Calloway caught 4 passes for 83 yards and a 59-yard touchdown.
The Buccaneers will have a huge matchup next week in Tampa Bay as they take on the division-leading Green Bay Packers. The Giants will have their first of three consecutive division games to end the season as they travel to Philadelphia. After the Eagle game, the Giants will have a huge game against the Redskins in a Saturday game. Then the Giants will end the season at Dallas.