Giants.com takes a look at the state of the team following Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers:
Disappointed? Yes. Irritated? Definitely. Shocked? Not the appropriate description.
Ben McAdoo knew last year's 11-5 record and all the expectations that mounted heading into the 2017 season wouldn't mean anything when it came time to line up and play. Teams have to earn their place each year. Through four weeks, the Giants haven't earned anything as they fell to 0-4 on Sunday after another heartbreaker in Tampa Bay.
"You can't carry things over from one year to the next; we talked about that in the offseason," the second-year head coach said. "We got to be hungry, we got to be willing to work, and we need to get back to work as a staff and to get back to work as a team and find a way to improve."
IT WAS OVER WHEN
After missing two field goals and an extra point attempt earlier in the game, Buccaneers kicker Nick Folk nailed one from 34 yards as time expired for a 25-23 victory over the Giants, who fell in similar fashion last week in Philadelphia on a 61-yarder while the clock turned to zeroes.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Like last week, there were plenty of plays the Giants would like back. The backbreaker, however, was Jameis Winston's 26-yard completion to Cameron Brate on third-and-one from the Giants 39 with 1:30 left in the game. With a fresh set of downs at the 13, Winston was able to kneel down twice to chew up the clock and center the game-winning field goal.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Giants allowed plays of 30 yards or more to five separate Buccaneers, including rookie tight end O.J. Howard's 58-yard touchdown and a 36-yard run by Jacquizz Rodgers that set up Tampa's first score. They hadn't given up a play longer than 35 yards entering Week 4.
AROUND THE LOCKER ROOM
"It is tough. It is tough to lose two games in a row on field goals, on walk-off field goals. That's a tough situation to have the lead, feel like you're doing some good things, have a good drive to take the lead, but obviously have a two-point conversion and get it reversed, so tough situation right there." – quarterback Eli Manning
"Both are just heartbreaking. We're two field goals away from being 2-2. Obviously, you can't look at it like that, but it's so hard to win in the NFL. We keep finding out week in and week out. Last year, those games didn't happen to us. We won those games last year. Like I said, I said at the beginning of the season, on paper we look good, but you have to go out and play the game. That's the reason you have to go out and play the game because anything can happen and we found that out tonight." – offensive lineman Justin Pugh, who started at right tackle again in place of Bobby Hart
"It's a trust factor. I know all the guys in the room are capable of doing whatever is needed to help the team win, but of course I'm going to do my best to get the starting job. It's a competition between all of us. We challenge each other every day on the practice field to get better. So, I expect that out of myself." – rookie Wayne Gallman on leading the Giants in rushing and also catching a touchdown in his NFL debut
WHAT THE LOSS MEANS FOR THE GIANTS
Big Blue is one of four teams in the NFL still winless after four weeks, and its next game is against another one of them. The 0-4 Chargers come to MetLife Stadium in Week 5 after losing to the Eagles on Sunday. This is the Giants' worst start to a season since losing their first six games in 2013. That year, they won seven of their final 10 games to finish 7-9.
"We have talented men of integrity in the locker room," McAdoo said. "We have to stay to work and stay together. All we have is us."
WHAT THE WIN MEANS FOR THE BUCS
The Buccaneers, who had their season opener postponed because of Hurricane Irma, are now 2-1 and one of three NFC South teams above .500. They have a quick turnaround this week as they prepare to host the 2-2 Patriots on Thursday night.
"Every night is an opportunity for America to get to know us as a football team," Winston said. "We just have to continue to execute, take it one day at a time, and as long as you win, everybody's happy."
