After having some time off to “put it together” over the bye week, it’s back to business for the Bucs.

They will have another week of preparation before they head up to New York to face the Giants. In doing so, they will look to get a win against a franchise that made a notable quarterback change on Monday morning by benching Daniel Jones for Tommy DeVito.

It’s a big matchup for Tampa Bay to stay in the playoff race, and that means that the defense has to look improved and limit points. One of the biggest keys in doing so is getting more out of the team’s outside linebackers from a pass-rushing standpoint.

Giants OTs Give Bucs OLBs An Advantage

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Over the bye week, Pewter Report had the chance to evaluate where the Bucs’ roster stands just over halfway into the regular season. There are plenty of team needs, but one of the biggest is outside linebacker. Statistically speaking, they have had a rough go bringing down opposing quarterbacks this season. Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka each have two sacks, but that is tied for just fifth-most on the team.

Diaby has been fine in generating pressure and holding contain in the run game, but he has not emerged as a top edge rusher as the team expected. Nelson and Tryon-Shoyinka have established themselves as rotational pieces that have not created many splash plays, while second-round rookie Chris Braswell is still developing.

Both Nelson and Tryon-Shoyinka are free agents after the season, leaving the cupboard bare at the position. A strong finish to the season could lead to one or both being re-signed, but they will need to start producing.

Could that start in Week 12 against the Giants? A prime opportunity presents itself.

Giants RT Evan Neal – Photo by: USA Today

Without star left tackle Andrew Thomas, who is on injured reserve with a foot injury, his spot has been filled by Jermaine Eluemunor. An eight-year journeyman offensive tackle, Eluemunor has recently switched sides to take Thomas’ place and has given up three sacks over the past four games. Across 10 starts this year, he has allowed 27 pressures, 15 hurries, and nine quarterback hits.

Right tackle Evan Neal has struggled since being drafted seventh overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Neal had a solid first start of 2024 in Week 10, but can New York trust him to protect Tommy DeVito? Playing in just seven games in 2023, he allowed 29 pressures, 22 hurries, five quarterback hits and two sacks. In 2022 and 2023, Neal ranked 80th out of 81 offensive tackles per Pro Football Focus. His play was heavily criticized last year to the point that he even started taking on fans.

The Giants’ offensive line has played better compared to last season, but the fact that the offensive tackles have a penchant for allowing pass rushers to be successful is just what the doctor ordered for the Bucs’ outside linebacker corps.

Bucs’ Defense Has Chance To Dial It Up Against Giants’ Offense

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Facing a Giants offense that ranks dead-last averaging just 15.6 points per game, there is no reason that the Bucs outside linebackers and defense as a whole cannot create big plays and takeaways.

Speaking to the media on Monday, co-defensive coordinator Larry Foote discussed whether the defensive gameplan will change facing Tommy DeVito.

“We [haven’t] gotten into that yet,” Foote said. “In the little bit I’ve seen of [DeVito] last year, he can move just like [Daniel] Jones, so I’m sure the offense isn’t going to change that much. He’s an athletic quarterback, so we’re going to have to be ready for that. I don’t know how they’re going to try and attack us, but last week and this week going forward is about what we do. He’s an athletic quarterback and we’ve got to have a plan for him.”

A plan could start by dialing up some pressure, and for the outside linebackers to pick up and get more involved and acquainted with opposing quarterbacks. Whether it’s Yaya Diaby taking it up a notch, the veterans making the most of their chances, or rookie Chris Braswell breaking out, one of the biggest ways head coach Todd Bowles’ defense can improve is by its pass-rushers making it difficult for passing games to get going.

They have a chance this week and in upcoming games facing the Bryce Young-led Panthers and whoever is under center for the Raiders the following week.