How to watch, what to watch for Bucs vs. Giants in Week 8

Two teams on opposite ends of the spectrum will be showcased in primetime this week when the New York Giants host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.

The Giants are 1-5 this season, their lone victory coming against the Washington Football Team in Week 6. The Bucs have been on fire lately, routing good Packers and Raiders teams in consecutive weeks to improve to 5-2 and take control of the NFC South. Tom Brady looked like his old self against the Raiders, throwing for 369 yards and four touchdowns in the 45-20 win. Tampa Bay’s passing game could get even more dangerous with the addition of former All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown, who has agreed to a one-year deal with the team. Did we mention the Bucs also have a top-10 defense?

The Giants, meanwhile, have a super long week to prepare for the Bucs, having played on Thursday. They lost 22-21 to the Eagles. However, the NFC East is so weak this season that New York is still well within playoff contention even though it only has one win and its best player, Saquon Barkley, is out for the year with an ACL injury. Quarterback Daniel Jones hasn’t made the sophomore surge the Giants were hoping for, currently posting a 73.7 QB rating.

Here’s how to watch Monday’s game, odds for the matchup, key injuries, and notable fantasy football start/sit considerations

TV Info

Date: Monday, Nov. 2
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Broadcast map

Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)

Bucs: #1 Overall — #6 offense, #1 defense, #14 special teams
Giants: #29 Overall — #30 offense, #19 defense, #6 special teams

DraftKings Sportsbook odds

Bucs: -10.5. -530
Giants: +10.5, +400
Total: 46

Fantasy football start/sit advice

Bucs

Ronald Jones II, RB, $5,700

Leonard Fournette’s return has cut into Jones’ production. Jones was limited to just 13 carries against the Raiders, his fewest since Week 3. That makes him a risky play this week against the Giants.

Rob Gronkowski, TE, $4,900

Gronk has turned it on since O.J. Howard’s season-ending injury, racking up 140 yards and two touchdowns over the past two weeks. It remains to be seen how the addition of Antonio Brown will affect the Bucs’ receiving corps, but Gronk’s history with Brady should allow him to continue to be a go-to target in this offense.

Giants

Wayne Gallman, RB, $4,400

The injury to Saquon Barkley has meant the Giants’ backfield has been a game of musical chairs this season. At first it looked like the newly-signed Devonta Freeman was going to get the lion’s share of carries, but Gallman was the primary back last Sunday, leading the team with 15 touches (10 carries, five catches). He turned them into 54 yards and a touchdown, a decent day. However, the Bucs have incredible against the run this season, so you’re probably best avoiding Gallman and all of the Giants’ running backs this week.

Sterling Shepard, WR, $4,600

Shepard showed out in his first game back from a turf toe injury, hauling in six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. He’s clearly the most talented receiver the Giants have and he should get plenty of targets this week assuming the Giants fall behind and have to throw a lot.