TAMPA (SNN-TV) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants will share the Monday Night Football spotlight tonight for the second year in a row, and if recent history is any guide the national audience is in for quite a show.
The Buccaneers were 5-2 heading into the Week Eight Monday-nighter last year and on their way to an eventual Super Bowl title.
It took a last-second pass break-up of a two-point try by Antoine Winfield for the Bucs to escape the Meadowlands with a 25-23 win.
In tonight’s game the Bucs not only battle the Giants but they also battle a turnover and penalty problem, resulting in a two-game losing streak, most recently last week against the Washington Football Team.
The Bucs are 6-3 and in first in the NFC South, the Giants are 3-6 and four games out in the NFC East, but the G-men come in having two of three before their Week 10 bye.
The Giants will have star running back Saquon Barkley back in the fold following an extensive stint on injured reserve.
The Bucs are battling the injury bug as well, as Antonio Brown will tonight’s game with a foot injury and Vita Vea is also out.
Some good news earlier today though as Tampa activated cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting from the Reserve/Injured list to aid a depleted secondary.
In addition, Tampa Bay elevated wide receiver Breshad Perriman from the practice squad for tonight’s game as well.
Kickoff tonight from Raymond James Stadium is set for 8:15pm.