Playoffs On Paper: Giants vs. Buccaneers

I have literally watched 0.43 seconds of Tampa Bay Buccaneers football this year, and as I live in a "secondary market" for the Giants I've seen more of them than I ever would've wanted to, so this comparison may not be entirely even. Nevertheless, it's the New York Giants at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon, so I've got to find some way to compare these teams...ahhhh, here is an unbiased look at the game!


First comparison point: Team-related KSK Posts*

Giants
Buccaneers

* Note: Posts may have little or nothing to do with the team involved.

Second comparison point: Team Statistics

Tampa Bay Rushing Offense: 11th
New York Rushing Defense: 8th

New York Rushing Offense: 4th
Tampa Bay Rushing Defense: 17th

Tampa Bay Passing Offense: 16th
New York Passing Defense: 11th

New York Passing Offense: 21st
Tampa Bay Passing Defense: 1st

Tampa Bay Giveaway/Takeaway: +15
New York Giveaway/Takeaway: -9

Edge: Buccaneers

Third comparison point: Vegas opinion. Tampa Bay is a three point favorite. As mentioned in an earlier playoff post, three points at home is essentially saying that the teams are evenly matched on a neutral field.

Edge: Fucking no one. Thanks for nothing, Vegas.

Fourth comparison point: My opinion. I really don't know much about the Bucs, although the stats above suggest they will probably pick Eli Manning between four and 573 times. That is, assuming the Eli Manning from last week against the Patriots doesn't show up. The Giants have been getting a lot of praise for playing the Patriots at full board last week with nothing at stake for themselves, but on the other hand they lost a starting center, a starting linebacker, and possibly a cornerback, which could leave them that much more likely to falter this week.

My pick: Tampa Bay 17, Giants 16.