NFL Playoff Picture: Week 6
By Martin Bater
NFC Bubble Teams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)
Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
The Bucs had a bye week to reassess the good, the bad and the ugly during a rebuilding season with a promising rookie quarterback like Jameis Winston and a defense that is eighth in the league in sacks averaging three a game.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that Jameis has seven interceptions so far this season and a penchant for at least one unfortunate blooper per game. The Bucs must clean that up as they get ready for back-to-back crucial road games in Washington and Atlanta.
- New York Giants (3-3)
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
It was all looking so good for Eli Manning and his teammates for the first 10 minutes of the game: 10/10 passing, a gorgeous and perfect first drive to take a 7-0 lead in a hostile environment against a divisional opponent.
The following 50 minutes were a living nightmare for them.
Two interceptions, two fumbles (one recovered) and offensive ineptitude all around that led to 27 unanswered points for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The problem with the Giants isn’t that they aren’t talented, but rather that they fold like a tent when they face even the slightest hint of adversity,
They did it at the end of the Cowboys game in the opener, same thing against the Falcons and now against the Eagles.
That is not a good quality for a team with playoff aspirations, and they must correct it before they host Dallas this Sunday.
Next: NFC Wild Cards