EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In his first start as the Giants’ quarterback, Tommy DeVito struggled to provide the spark the team desperately needed. Instead of invigorating the offense, DeVito faced a tough outing that highlighted New York’s ongoing issues, leading to the lowest scoring offense in the league. During the Giants’ 30-7 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DeVito managed to throw for 189 yards and led the team to a late, inconsequential touchdown, marking their sixth consecutive loss.

The Buccaneers pressured DeVito relentlessly, taking advantage of his inexperience as he stepped in for the recently released Daniel Jones. Tampa Bay’s defense dialed up aggressive blitzes early on, while quarterback Baker Mayfield propelled the Buccaneers to a substantial 23-0 lead by halftime. The Giants’ hopes for a comeback diminished significantly when running back Tyrone Tracy lost a fumble deep in the opponent’s territory at the start of the second half.

Reflecting on his performance, DeVito acknowledged the pressures of playing the quarterback position, stating, “I’m going to analyze but obviously, like you said, quarterbacks get (the credit) when it’s good, it’s great, when it’s bad it’s bad.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining a steady attitude despite the challenging circumstances and aiming for improvement as they prepare for their next outing.

For the home crowd hoping to see DeVito shine, the excitement shifted to Mayfield, who humorously imitated the “Tommy Cutlets” celebration after scoring on a 10-yard run. DeVito, who also contributed with seven carries for 32 yards, was initially unaware of the mimicry until it was mentioned in the locker room, suggesting a sense of humor about the situation.

With a quick turnaround, the Giants now have to face their division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on Thanksgiving. Head coach Brian Daboll indicated that DeVito is likely to start, provided he has fully recovered from a blow he took late in the game. Having won three games as a starter last year, DeVito is optimistic that the offense can find its rhythm.

“The way we practice, if you go out and watch us, we do not practice like we’re 2-9,” DeVito asserted. This indicates his belief that they practice with the intensity and commitment of an undefeated team, and he stressed the need for that effort to translate into effective game performance.

The repeated losses have begun to weigh on some team members. Receiver Malik Nabers, the No. 6 overall draft pick, showed signs of frustration after racking up six catches for 64 yards, all in the second half. He asserted that the team’s struggles aren’t solely tied to the quarterback situation. “Take a look, take a look. It ain’t the quarterback,” Nabers remarked, expressing his own weariness with the team’s ongoing losing streak.

Meanwhile, offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who sustained a quad injury early in the game, raised concerns about whether all players were fully committing themselves. When pressed about his job security amidst the team’s dismal performance, Daboll kept the focus on improving the team’s play, as the Giants hold a disappointing 8-20 record over the past two seasons.

DeVito emphasized that the team is aware and focused on the issues at hand, stating, “There’s no fingers being pointed. Everyone’s kind of honing in on it, but maybe we just need to hone in a little harder. So, we’ve got to figure it out this week.” The team hopes to regroup and deliver a better performance in their upcoming game.