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Giants at Buccaneers Fantasy Preview

Adam Nardelli| Fantasy Contributor

After one of the most embarrassing performances by the Giants defense in recent history last week, having given up 7 passing touchdowns and a total of 52 points to the New Orleans Saints, the defense will be ultra-focused on putting out a much better product on the field this Sunday in Tampa. 

Will it happen? 

In terms of the defense improving as a whole, probably not.  Even if JPP does play, he’s going to have to learn how to adapt to his clubbed hand, not to mention shedding off the rust from not playing since last December. 

However, if you’re in a bind and the Giants defense is an option for you, I wouldn’t run away from them.  In terms of fantasy, and I can’t stress fantasy enough, the Giants defense has been somewhat reliable.  Their knack for generating turnovers has made their fantasy numbers decent, having surpassed ten points three times and 20 points once. 

The Giants defense by no means should be your first choice for your starting defensive unit, but if you need a quick fill-in due to a bye week no one can take away the number of interceptions and turnovers in general they’ve been able to create.  No matter how bad the defense is for most of the game, their proven ability time and time again this season to somehow find ways to grab interceptions and pick sixes translates into fantasy points, and that’s what truly matters.

Switching to the offensive side of the ball, I don’t need to waste the energy telling you to start Odell Beckham Jr.  The Bucs give up the 7th most fantasy points this season to receivers, according to sportsworldreport.com, priming OBJ for another big day in the stat sheet.  Will he have three touchdowns again?  That’s hard to replicate, but it’s more likely than not OBJ will be a nice contributor to his fantasy owners this week due to the Bucs struggles in coverage.    

Regarding Eli Manning, prior to his air show in New Orleans he had thrown just one touchdown and two interceptions in the previous two games.  However, Manning has been a consistent fantasy starter this season having multiple touchdown performances in 5 of his 8 games played.  Number 6 could easily come this weekend against the Bucs and their defense who has given up the 3rd-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season .) 

To briefly discuss the Buccaneers offensively, Doug Martin has put together a revitalized season with his three 100+ yard games and two games of over 70 yards.  The Giants give up the 10th most fantasy points to running backs in 2015, and the last couple of weeks does nothing to show their rush defense is improving. 

Darren McFadden ran all over them two weeks ago, and Mark Ingram managed 80 yards on the ground last week.  Doug Martin is poised to do the same and would be a great start this week, particularly at the RB2 or flex position.

I know earlier I said it could pay off to start the Giants defense, but that was for the sole reason that they have the ability to pick off the ball or cause a fumble.  In no way am I saying they are an actual good or reliable defense.

They’re going to give up tons of yards, particularly in the passing game but the last few weeks indicates their run defense is slipping as well.  A guy with the talent that Doug Martin has is too good to not have a productive game against this defense.