An inside have a look at Monday’s Giants-Patriots NFL Week 13 matchup in Foxborough:
MARQUEE MATCHUP
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels vs. Giants defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen
Neither man will step onto the sector, making this a battle of smarts and guile.
McDaniels is famend for his play-calling capacity and for the way in which he can arrange an opposing protection.
Bullen is all new at this, as he was promoted final week from exterior linebackers coach after Shane Bowen was fired. Bullen has by no means made the calls on protection at any degree.
“Yeah, it’s an enormous problem,’’ Bullen mentioned. “I’d say Josh McDaniels is likely one of the high coordinators within the historical past of the NFL. He’s a fantastic play-caller and a fantastic offensive thoughts. And it’s a large problem.’’
4 DOWNS
BE PREPARED
Mike Kafka is 0-2 because the interim head coach, dropping one-score video games to the Packers and Lions.
He has been unafraid to take dangers, going for it on fourth down, eschewing area targets and signaling in gadget performs — resembling extensive receiver Gunner Olszewski final week throwing a landing move to quarterback Jameis Winston.
“We’ll should be prepared for something that they may presumably do,’’ Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned.
“Flea sparkles, reverses, faux punts. We’ll should be sound in all areas, after which we’ll should defend, be ready and attempt to deal with something that they may do. They’re going to attempt to win the soccer recreation. They’re going to attempt to coach their crew nevertheless they really feel is greatest for them, and put the gamers within the place to succeed. So, whether or not that’s operating inside zone or quarterback throwback, no matter it might be, we’ll should be prepared for it.’’
STATS THAT
The Patriots used to succeed in double-digit profitable seasons 12 months in and 12 months out. That profitable effectively dried up after the 2021 season — that was the final time they received at the very least 10 video games, till now.
That is an eclectic achievement, but it surely does present how constant this crew is. The Patriots are the second crew in NFL historical past to compile a nine-game profitable streak by scoring at the very least 23 factors and permitting 23 or fewer factors in every recreation. The final crew to perform this? The 1961 Houston Oilers.
HEALED SECONDARY
Paulson Adebo returns after lacking the previous 5 video games with a knee damage, including the perfect cornerback on the roster to the defensive backfield.
Adebo signed a three-year, $54 million contract however didn’t make a big affect in his first seven video games.
Cor’Dale Flott and Deonte Banks each missed time earlier. So, that is the nook group the Giants envisioned they might have going into the season.
Stefon Diggs (61-679, 3 TD) is the principle goal, though tight finish Hunter Henry leads the Patriots with 5 receiving touchdowns.
NEW MAN
This shall be Dart’s first begin since Brian Daboll was fired, however there shouldn’t be a lot of an adjustment, as Dart was accustomed to having the performs referred to as into him by Kafka because the offensive coordinator.
“Yeah, I imply, Kaf’s been within the system for a number of years now, so he understands it, clearly, just like the again of his arms,’’ Dart mentioned.
“Possibly there are a number of little tweaks that you’ve from identical to preferences as a coach might really feel, however I’ve all the arrogance on the earth in Kaf and thought he’s simply performed a fantastic job actually this complete 12 months.’’
PAUL’S PICK
The return of Jaxson Dart makes for attention-grabbing viewing. Does he tone down his operating and his aggressive tendencies coming off a concussion? If he does, can he be equally as efficient?
There isn’t any love for the Giants in Pats nation and to drag off an upset, the street crew must be on level towards an opponent that makes few errors and is on fairly a roll. Oh, and Drake Maye is legit.
Patriots 24, Giants 19
