Isn’t it nice to have a victory that was never in doubt?  That’s what the Buccaneers accomplished today at MetLife Stadium, running all over the Giants, 30-7.

All four of Tampa Bay’s touchdowns came on the ground: from Bucky Irving, Baker Mayfield, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker.  The Bucs finished with 156 yards rushing against a bad Giants’ defense.  Irving continues to blossom into a human highlight reel with each game.

Baker was also sensational through the air, throwing for 294 yards and no interceptions.

Todd Bowles’ much-maligned defense played very well against New York, holding the Giants to a lone touchdown in the fourth quarter.  Did Tampa Bay’s defense magically get better during the bye week, or is New York’s offense really that bad?  I can’t answer the latter, but I’ll reserve judgment on the former.

This was a game the Bucs had to have.  With the Falcons on the bye week, Tampa Bay is now just one game behind Atlanta in the NFC South.  Keep in mind: the Falcons own the tiebreaker because they beat the Bucs twice.  So really, it’s a 2-game advantage.  But Tampa Bay is in the ‘lighter’ part of its schedule.  The Chargers are the only team left on their schedule with a winning record.  The Bucs must take advantage – either by running the table or going 5-1 the rest of the way to make the playoffs.

Photo courtesy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers