Giants Daily Blitz Blog

Daily Blitz: First look at Tampa

Because they participated in the Wednesday kickoff game, the Giants players and coaches had a rare Sunday open to watch a full slate of NFL action, including their upcoming opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

What they saw was the team that finished last in the NFC South a year ago win their first game over the Carolina Panthers, picking off Cam Newton twice while holding him to four yards rushing. Meanwhile, Tampa quarterback Josh Freeman was 16 of 24 passing for 138 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, and Doug Martin led all rushers with 95 yards on 24 attempts. In their debut under head coach Greg Schiano, the new-look Bucs held the Panthers to 10 yards rushing on 13 attempts.

Here’s a look at the Buccaneers’ 2011 statistical rankings:

PTS/G: 17.9 (27^th)

Passing yards: 228.1 (16^th)

Rushing yards: 91.1 (30^th)

Opponent PTS/G: 30.9 (32^nd)

Opponent passing yards: 238.4 (21^st)

Opponent rushing yards: 156.1 (32^nd)

QUICK HITS

>> Q & A with Giants GM Jerry Reese on the new season

>> VIEW: Michael Strahan, from the NFL to ‘Live!’ co-host [The Washington Post]