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About the Author: Matt Matera

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After an explosive first half that had the Bucs up by 18 points, Tampa Bay squandered the lead and let the Giants back in the game in the third and fourth quarters. The Bucs went down by one with 1:16 left in the game and the offensive was able to drive down and put them in position to score, but Matt Gay missed a 34-yard field goal as time expired and the Bucs lost 32-31.

Here were the most impressive players from the game.

WR Mike Evans
If there were still any concerns about Mike Evans after his slow start to the year, they were quickly washed away early on in this game. Evans was brilliant, having the best first half of his career with seven catches for 143-yards and three touchdowns. It was about as dominating of a half football that someone could possibly have.

Evans’ highlights included catching three passes on the Bucs opening drive en route to scoring his first touchdown of the season. Evans then had a gigantic 55-yard catch down the field that set up another scoring drive. It was a slower second half for Evans but he had a crucial 44-yard pass that should of put the Bucs in position to win the game. He finished with a stat line of eight catches for 180-yards and three touchdowns.

OLB Shaq Barrett
You might as well call him “Sack” Barrett now because that’s all he does. Barrett had a second straight game with at least three-sacks, but he outdid last week’s performance by recording four sacks on Sunday. In another fantastic performance, Barrett had two forced fumbles. He was a huge factor in the second half, getting the Bucs’ momentum back on their side with his second forced fumble.

Through three games, Barrett has eight of the Bucs nine sacks. They weren’t getting to rookie Daniel Jones much outside of him, but Barrett once again showed that he’s the best pass rushing option the Bucs have now. The last two games that he’s had are almost unheard of and Barrett has been worth every penny since the Bucs signed him. Barrett led the team with six tackles, including four sacks and two forced fumbles.

RB Ronald Jones
The Bucs continue to ride the hot hand at running back and it was Jones who was hot in the second half. He continuously was making runs into the second level of the Giants defense as the Bucs rode him in the fourth quarter that helped set up a drive that put Tampa Bay up six. Jones continues to improve his game, which included a nice 41-yard screen pass in the first half that got the team going early. Jones had 80 rushing yards on 14 carries along with one catch for 41 yards. He was the top rusher in the game on both sides and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.

QB Jameis Winston
It was Evans’ day, but someone had to get him the ball, and Winston had his own solid performance. Winston was throwing some dimes in the game to Evans and O.J. Howard. His 55-yard completion to Evans was right on the money as was his 30-yard pass to Howard that set up the Bucs third touchdown and Evans’ third score. In the game’s most crucial moment, Winston came up big by driving the Bucs down the field and connecting on a 44-yard pass to Evans that set the Bucs up for a chance to win the game on a field goal. Winston completed 23 passes on 37 attempts for 380 yards and three touchdowns.

ILB Lavonte David
David once again continued to make plays all over the field for this defense. Saquon Barkley left the game early with an ankle injury, but when he was in there, the Bucs did a great job of stopping him and David was a big part of that. David played very aggressive on his way to recording five tackles and one pass breakup. It was another kind of game for him where he was involved early and often in many plays.

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