The New York Giants make their way south to Raymond James Stadium for the second straight year as the Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers square off for the third consecutive season.

While the Giants own an 8-5 edge in the series standings, the Buccaneers have prevailed in the last two meetings, including a sluggish 20-3 triumph last season (Week 5) at Tampa as Tony Dungy's defense limited New York to 135 total yards and forced three turnovers. The Giants are 3-4 in seven previous six road games in this series.

Numbers: In their last two meetings with the Buccaneers (1997-98), the Giants have totaled 11 points (3 field goals and a safety) and a combined 337 total yards, committing five turnovers (5 interceptions) in those contests. The Giants scored 210 points and committed just seven turnovers in eight wins, while scoring just 77 points and committing 17 turnovers in eight losses in '98. The Giants forced 21 turnovers and totaled 35 sacks in eight wins, while totaling just five takeaways and 19 sacks in eight losses in '98. The Giants have rushed for 120 or more yards in six straight games dating back to '98. The Giants have forced two or more turnovers in 20 of their last 28 games (21-of-29, including playoffs) dating back to '97. Since 1996 (including playoffs), the Giants have committed just 22 turnovers in 24 wins, 57 turnovers in 24 losses and a tie.

The Buccaneers have limited the opposition to 300 or fewer yards in 29 of their last 42 regular-season contests dating back to '96. The Buccaneers have forced two or more turnovers in five straight games dating back to '98, totaling 14 takeaways in those contests. The Buccaneers forced 18 turnovers in 8 wins, 8 turnovers in 8 losses in '98. The Buccaneers totaled 19 sacks in their last 5 games (4-1) in '98, this after totaling just 18 sacks in their first 11 contests (4-7). The Buccaneers have rushed for 140 or more yards in 3 straight games dating back to '98. Including playoffs, after throwing just 1 touchdown pass and 10 interceptions (3 returned for scores) during Tampa Bay's 0-5 start in '96, Buccaneers' QB Trent Dilfer has thrown 54 TD passes and 40 INTs (6 returned for scores) in his last 45 outings (24-21). Including playoffs (1996-98), Dilfer has thrown 50 interceptions in his last 50 games, 9 of those returned for touchdowns. The Buccaneers have returned 1,382 kickoffs in their 23-year history (1976-98) and have never scored a touchdown on a kickoff return.

Things To Look For: Already minus their best runner (RB Gary Brown) and top defensive back (CB Jason Sehorn), Jim Fassel's team heads to Tampa to battle a club that figures to challenge for the NFC Central title. The Giants' offense looks much-improved and QB Kent Graham is clearly the leader, but the Buccaneers' defense will be a good test for New York's offensive front, which disappointed in '98.

Etc.: The Giants have won four straight games dating back to '98. After opening 5-0 in 1997, the Buccaneers are just 14-15 (including playoffs) in their last 29 games.