Despite a 6-3 deficit, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have shown an improved vertical attack in the first quarter against New York Giants with Vincent Jackson catching two balls for 58 yards.
The Giants opened their first drive with Eli Manning hooking up Hakeem Nicks on two receptions including a 40-yard grab down the right sideline. Lawrence Tynes would then cap it off with a 37-yard field goal.
The Buccaneers responded with Josh Freeman finding Vincent Jackson for a 41-yard strike down the same sideline. Unfortunately, that drive would stall as well but not before Connor Barth drained a 45-yard field goal of his own.
On New York's second drive, Manning continued with the intermediate passing attack, incorporating Victor Cruz this time. Cruz would wrangle in two receptions including a nice 20-yard catch-and-run in which he broke a handful of tackles. Yet once again, that drive would not reach pay dirt, with a misread and a drop in the red zone to setup Tynes second field goal (24 yards).
The Bucs had something going on their final drive of the quarter but they were forced following a seven-yard sack from Chase Blackburn. The Giants now have the ball on their own eleven to open the second.
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