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First games of the season always are ripe for over-analysis, and the Giants have been on the couch for what seems like forever — with 11 days elapsed between their 24-17 loss to the Cowboys and today’s meeting with the Buccaneers.
Heck, the Giants have scattered on bye-week breaks as long as the three-day weekend coach Tom Coughlin granted them before getting back to work. The Super Bowl champs in their 2012 debut didn’t do much of anything right the first time around, including — if you listen to Coughlin and his players — a sluggish approach to the way they prepared.
Upon hearing that Justin Tuck admitted he hasn’t been sleeping well since the loss, Coughlin snapped that none of the Giants should be sleeping well. Coughlin also served up a staccato burst of demands he wants and expects to see out of his team:
“Energy. Enthusiasm. Pride. Second game of the season. Didn’t like what we saw for the most part in the first game. Renewed vigor. Vigilance. Unselfishness. Do your job. Understand. Listen. Pay attention to the details. Follow the details through in the chaos of the game.’’
The Giants are looking to avoid any chaos this afternoon at MetLife Stadium against the very-young Bucs. A look inside the game:
BEST BATTLE
Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy vs. Giants RG Chris Snee. The Bucs allowed a microscopic 10 yards rushing last week vs. the Panthers, and McCoy was a big reason why. He’s a third-year stud run-stopper, and Snee won’t be the only interior offensive lineman to get a crack at him. When Snee gets the chance, he’s got to nullify McCoy and finally spring the running game with some inside runs.
CONTACT HITTERS
The pass rush defensive end trio of Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora did not have a sack or a quarterback hit in the opener.
“We just got to go out there and don’t try to do nothing extra, don’t try to hit the home run, don’t try to get a sack by going inside,” Pierre-Paul said. “Handle your responsibly and do your techniques.’
FEAR FACTOR
The Giants were not blindsided when David Wilson fumbled on his second NFL rushing attempt.
“It was something that we were worried about. We’ve tried to do everything we can to make him cognizant of how important it is that he focus on that aspect,’’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said.
Wilson is a first-round pick and isn’t going to be benched, so when he gets the ball, the Bucs will be taking aim, hoping the rookie will cough it up again.
“As much as you say it, sometimes it takes an experience like that before you get hit over the head,’’ Gilbride said. “Hopefully he’ll respond the way we expect him to, which is, running as hard as he can, and doing everything he can, that he’ll know first things first, you can’t turn the ball over.’’
SHORT STUFF
No player in the NFL last season was more effective picking up first downs in third-and-1 situations than Bucs QB Josh Freeman. He went 7-for-7, using his size (6-foot-6) and strength (248 pounds). Since 2009, Freeman has rushed for more first downs (68) than any quarterback other than Michael Vick (75).
CRUZ CONTROL?
A year ago, Victor Cruz dropped the first pass Eli Manning threw to him in the season opener, and the Giants grew so concerned about their slot receiver that they signed veteran Brandon Stokley. Cruz rebounded and went on to have a blockbuster 2011 season. Cruz had three drops in this season’s opener, but the Giants aren’t rushing out to sign his replacement. For the first time, though, he’s been hit with criticism, and suddenly all those offseason appearances were mentioned as possible distractions.
“No, I’m not surprised. I could care less what other people talk about,” Cruz said.”I’m just worried about what we have in this locker room and the team, people in my inner circle.”
REPAIR MEN
PAUL’S PREDICTION
The sight of Cowboys receivers running free and passes completed with no defender in the vicinity brought back familiar images to last year’s defensive lapses. It took nearly three-quarters of the season to plug the leaks.
“Last year … it took us a couple of weeks to stop pointing the finger at each other,” Tuck said. “I think we’ve addressed those problems. I think we’re in a better position to play this game this week than we were last week.’’
paul.schwartz@nypost.com
No way the Giants should lose this game — based on their experience, talent base, home field and especially considering the way they played in the opener. If Buccaneers can run it with Doug Martin and LeGarrette Blount, they will stay close. Eli Manning will make plays vs. pressure defense.
GIANTS 27, buccaneers 21