Welcome to the Monday Night Showdown Slate for NFL Week 8!

Once again, we get a NFC East team in prime time. At least the opponent is good. The Buccaneers are playing like one of the best teams in the NFL right now. The Buccaneers have scored the most points in the NFL through the first seven weeks and the defense has been excellent. The Buccaneers have won five of their last six games, while the Giants have one win and blew a lead against the Eagles last week.

Before we start, remember, these showdown slates are similar to lottery tickets. At times the chalk hits and everyone shares in the prizes, but more often than not, you need that random, dart-throw to hit in order to claim that top prize, so make sure you play responsibly. Stick to the GPP contests (single-entry preferred), don’t blow your whole bankroll and understand that, unless you are a max-entry player, it's about having fun.

 

New York Giants vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Spread: Buccaneers -12

O/U: 46

Weather:

Clear and 38 degrees, winds 10-to-12 MPH.

Notable Injuries:

Buccaneers:

Chris Godwin, WR (finger – out)

Giants:

Devonta Freeman, RB (ankle – out)

Defensive Rankings (Using DVOA):

Buccaneers:

vs Pass: 1st

vs Run: 2nd

Giants:

vs Pass: 27th

vs Run: 11th

Please note players listed below are done so in order of preference. If a player is not listed that does not mean they are considered a full fade.

MVP/Captain

Tom Brady, QB TB – It's difficult to see anyone scoring more. He likely will be popular and he's expensive, so you can always play him in a flex spot. Brady has multiple touchdown passes in five of seven games. He has attempted at least 38 passes in four of the last five games. The Giants have played better against the run and are one of the worst teams against the pass.

Mike Evans, WR TB – It has been an inconsistent season for Evans, who has two 100-yard games and two games of two yards. Yes, that isn't a typo. Evans has 41 yards or fewer in the last three games. Evans has performed better when Chris Godwin doesn't play. He is averaging 6.3 catches for 89 yards without Godwin and has scored a touchdown in each of the three games. The concern for Evans is he likely will be shadowed by James Bradberry, but Evans has also played in the slot and could see more time there with Godwin out.

Leonard Fournette, RB TB – Ronald Jones is more expensive and does less in the passing game. Fournette had 11 carries for 50 yards and caught six of seven targets for 47 yards. Fournette played 56 percent of the snaps, while Jones played 43 percent. The Giants have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs. Fournette received three of the four snaps inside the five-yard line last week.

Mid-Tier

Rob Gronkowski, TE TB – It took some time, but Gronkowski is back. He looks way better compared to the first few games and he has played more than 80 percent of the snaps in four of the last five games. He has at least six targets in three straight games. He has scored in each of the last two games and has eight targets in each. Richard Rodgers had 85 yards against the Giants last week and Logan Thomas scored a touchdown the week before.

Darius Slayton, WR NYG – Slayton saw fewer targets last week with Sterling Shepard back. Shepard had eight targets, while Slayton had three. Slayton ran more routes and is the big play threat. The Giants will likely play from behind and pass often and Slayton is more likely to break the big play.

Daniel Jones, QB NYG – This isn't the best matchup for Jones, but the Giants are unlikely to have success on a stifling Buccaneers run defense behind a bad offensive line. Jones is coming off his best fantasy game of the season against the Eagles. He threw two touchdowns and rushed for 92 yards on four carries. Jones is averaging 42.3 rushing yards per game.

Dart Throws

TylerJohnson, WR TB – Johnson has looked excellent every time he gets a chance and should see snaps in the slot. Johnson has scored a touchdown in two straight games, although he only had three catches. Those games were with Godwin. Johnson played more in Week 5 when Godwin was out and had four catches for 61 yards on six targets. I would consider Johnson in the MVP/captain slot.

Ryan Succop, K TB – The Buccaneers offense has put up a lot of points as they move the ball with ease. He has at least eight points in five straight games. He has one field goal in each of the last two games, but if the offense stalls in Giants territory he could have a big game.