Giants news: 11/9: Return of Jason Pierre-Paul tops headlines

Good morning, New York Giants fans! Here are your news updates for this Monday morning.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers victory recap

After a solid victory over the Buccaneers, it's all mostly cheers.

Giants defense bounces back in much-needed win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers | NJ.com

On Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Giants did a pretty good job of that. Their defense, bolstered by the return of defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, was improved from last Sunday's catastrophe against the Saints in the Superdome, the offense did enough, and the Giants collected a 32-18 triumph at Raymond James Stadium.

Jason Pierre-Paul revs up Giants in hope-inspiring win | NY Post

Two tackles. Two quarterback hits. No sacks. One relieved, and happy, Jason Pierre-Paul.

It added up to a return that has the still-in-first-place Giants feeling as if the second half of this season could be the start of something big.

Pierre-Paul did not devastate anyone Sunday, did not take down Jameis Winston with a forceful swing of his right arm, with the grey wrap protecting his mangled right hand clubbing the rookie quarterback for a game-changing play. Mostly, JPP endured in his return, and that was more than enough to help the Giants to a deceptive 32-18 victory over the Buccaneers at hot-and-steamy Raymond James Stadium.

Giants offense does its part late in win over Tampa Bay | NY Daily News

The Giants defense did its part. It was time for the offense to finally do its part, too.

That was no guarantee in a game that was a bit of a struggle for the Giants’ supposedly high-octane offense. But given the ball back by their defense with five minutes remaining, the Giants did what they had failed to do so many times before.

"We did what we had to do to win," said Eli Manning. "We needed a drive there at the very end and we go get it, waste almost the last five minutes of the game."

"We always preach about finishing," Tom Coughlin said. "And tonight we did."

JPP's first night back

The star defensive end saw his 2015 debut with success as he was able to show a force that the rest of the Giants defensive line has failed to do for most of the season. While he has not registered a sack, he was able to make Jameis Winston uncomfortable at times and has played more snaps than the original plan.

With 2 plays, explosive JPP shows he can be what Giants need | NY Post

Winston rolled right and you bet he could see JPP in his rearview mirror, lunging at his feet. Incomplete pass. Then came another racehorse JPP pressure on a flushed-out Winston on second down. Incomplete. Soon a punt. Game over, for all intents and purposes in what ended Giants 32, Bucs 18.

Resplendent in a purple suit, a perspiring JPP stood on a podium outside the visiting locker room and was asked when he began feeling comfortable.

"Fourth quarter," he said.

The Giants offered him that ill-fated $14.8 franchise tender largely because of what they expect of him in the fourth quarter. "It’s time to close the game," JPP said. "When it comes down to the fourth quarter, you gotta give everything you got."

Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul thrilled by return to field | Newsday

Pierre-Paul had just completed a remarkable return to the football field, recovering from horrific injuries he suffered in a July 4 fireworks accident that left him without his right index finger and parts of the thumb and middle finger. He had confounded even those closest to him by playing an astounding 46 of 63 defensive snaps on Sunday in the Giants' 32-18 win over the Bucs. Although he didn't come up with a sack, he did provide badly needed pressure on the quarterback while wearing what looked like a large mitten.

Meet Jasper Brinkley

The Giants' newest starting linebacker was once an unwanted member of the Dallas Cowboys. Now he may be playing the most significant snaps of his career with an injury ravaged LB corps.

Injuries have taken such a toll on the Giants, they had to resort to their third-string middle linebacker for a second straight week.

Cue the danger signals, especially after last Sunday’s no-show in New Orleans. Only this week, instead of getting exposed, veteran Jasper Brinkley more than held his own.

Brinkley made a team-high seven tackles — five of them solo — recovered a fumble and forced another, playing a key part in the Giants’ 32-18 victory over the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.

Around the league

Ben Roethlisberger will miss "a few weeks" with a foot injury.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer believes a hit that rendered Teddy Bridgewater unconscious was a cheap hit by the St. Louis Rams.

Brandon Browner of the New Orleans Saints went on a tirade against the media following a loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Reggie Bush is planning on suing the city of St. Louis on the account of his injuries by slipping on concrete.