The Giants have ruled out three of their best offensive players — RB Saquon Barkley, WR Sterling Shepard and TE Evan Engram, along with backup RB Wayne Gallman — ahead of Thursday night's game, so this will be another week where the Patriots' defense isn't tested all that much.
But what about the offense? After seemingly getting their groove back in the second half last week against the Redskins, the Patriots will look to continue that against the Giants on Thursday night.
Will they? After watching some of the Giants' film, here are three reasons/areas where the Patriots could do some damage, and two where the Patriots may continue to struggle.
GOOD NEWS FOR NEW ENGLAND
1. The Giants' pass defense is one of the worst statistically, and the film backs that up.
The Giants are 28th in the league against the pass, giving up 279.4 yards per game, and they are 25th in defensive passer rating (106.7). FootballOutsiders.com has them 29th in pass defense DVOA. So Tom Brady and Co. should have some success against the Giants.
New York has some good players — CB Janoris Jenkins, FS Antoine Bethea and SS Jabrill Peppers stand out in the secondary — but the unit overall is very undisciplined. There are multiple plays where players are not on the same page with calls and checks, which is important because the Giants drop into a lot of zone coverage (which never works against Brady). There are usually multiple soft spots in the zone due to the lack of communication.
2. James White/Rex Burkhead, rev your screen engines.
That undisciplined team defense? Well, that usually gets exposed in the screen game. Just look at what Dalvin Cook and the Vikings did against them last week with some backup linebackers and defensive backs on the field.
Dalvin Cook’s ability to circle the defense and win the corner reminds me a lot of Edgerrin James. Very similar players. pic.twitter.com/1upUdgxyRV
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) October 8, 2019
Dexter Lawrence is an absolute BEAST❕#ClemsonNFL // #DLineU pic.twitter.com/CA2W754YKo
— #ClemsonNFL (@ClemsonPros) October 9, 2019
We’ve seen B.J. Hill line up on the Tackle and it’s usually to the Tight End side with Damon Harrison in the game. With the Giants starting Hill, Lawrence & Tomlinson in OTA’s, I’d expect to see that again especially when the offense has two Tight Ends on the field. pic.twitter.com/Sqg0mT2L39
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinnerNFL) July 15, 2019
Pass Rush of the Day: Saucy Power Bull Fork by @DalvinTomlinson. Use the Fork when OL has Inside/High hands on your Bull #DLIsBringingTheEnergy pic.twitter.com/Sgc3rMhFwG
— Willie Cashmore (@WillieCashmore) June 6, 2018
Pass Rush of the Day: Saucy Power Bull Fork by @DalvinTomlinson. Use the Fork when OL has Inside/High hands on your Bull #DLIsBringingTheEnergy pic.twitter.com/Sgc3rMhFwG
— Willie Cashmore (@WillieCashmore) June 6, 2018