What had once seemed like a comfortable 31-14 lead and a guaranteed win had suddenly vanished after a furious comeback brought the Bucs within three points late in the fourth quarter. At 31-28 with 5:11 to play, the Giants needed a big play.
Pat Shurmur was about to take his shot.
The Giants’ coach and offensive play-caller faced a decision on second-and-8 from the Giants’ 35 after a 2-yard run by Saquon Barkley. The perfect time for a route the Giants had rarely run this season.
Shurmur noticed the Bucs were in zone coverage, an alignment that protected against the long pass but also allowed the linebackers to be mindful of zeroing in on the run.