Patriots defense presents a huge challenge

The New England Patriots defense has not allowed a touchdown pass in its first five games this season. Bill Belichick’s ‘D’ is giving up an absurd league-low 6.8 points per game.

And now the Giants offense, led by rookie QB Daniel Jones, is expected to be without Whitehall High School grad Saquon Barkley (high right ankle sprain), Sterling Shepard (concussion), Evan Engram (sprained MCL) and Wayne Gallman (concussion).

Shepard and Gallman already were ruled out, and ESPN reported Tuesday that both Barkley and Engram are unlikely to play, as well.

“I think they’ve been a good defense for a long time,” Jones said. “We’re excited for the challenge.”

A large part of the Patriots’ schedule has been soft enough to help them pad those defensive stats. There are four winless teams remaining in the NFL entering Week 6, and New England has beaten three of them: Miami (0-4), the Jets (0-4) and Washington (0-5).

The Pats bludgeoned Ben Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh 33-3 in Week 1, though. And they beat the Buffalo Bills (4-1) on the road, 16-10, in Week 4.

They’re allowing a leaguelow 238.4 yards per game to opposing offenses. Jones has cooled off considerably since his impressive debut at Tampa Bay, and the Giants’ pass protection has slid in a big way too.

Jones has been pressured on 45.7% of his dropbacks, per Pro Football Focus, which ranks second-highest in the NFL only to the Jets’ Luke Falk at 47.8%.

Thursday is setting up for a frightening four quarters if the offense can’t move the ball and keep Tom Brady and the Patriots offense off the field. New England’s offense has struggled, but the Giants defense just surrendered 490 yards to a Minnesota Vikings offense that had been in absolute turmoil.

And Pat Shurmur’s only Thursday night experience so far was a 34-13 blowout loss last season to the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium, albeit with Eli Manning at quarterback.

“Everybody came out here with a can-do attitude,” Shurmur said to start the short practice week.

It might be difficult to keep that optimism, however.