The Giants and Buccaneers have never met in the playoffs. Giants held Tampa Bay defeated the Buccaneers 17-3 in Week 8 of 2006 in their last meeting. Now, New York have won 2 of the past 3 games and lead the overall series. New York has won two of the last three meetings, most recently a 17-3 home victory Oct. 29, 2006, and leads the series 10-6. Tampa Bay, though, has won five of nine matchups at home.



The Giants lost their first two games when they meet the outstanding teams from theri confernce, Cowboys and Packers. They gave up a 80 points in this two matchups. But Giants put it all together and in Week 3 they start to establish themselves as one of the more talented defenses in the league, reeling of six straight before losing three of their final seven games, including last week’s loss to New England.



Tampa Bay got here after they won three straight after losing its opener and then proceeded to lose four of its next five. Following its Week 10 bye, however, the Buccaneers won four straight before resting their starters in the final two games, both losses.



On Sunday, Tampa Bay QB Jeff Garcia is looking to beat the Giants for the third time with three different teams in the playoffs.



Madison, along with center Shaun O’Hara and linebacker Kawika Mitchell, did not practice Wednesday, and Coughlin wouldn’t speculate on their status. This means that the Bucs have some injury issues and the Giants also could be missing some key players Sunday. Remember that New York is also without TE Jeremy Shockey, who suffered a broken leg Dec. 16 against Washington and was placed on injured reserve.