Patriots (2-8) at Giants (3-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: Fox
Spread (BetMGM):
Patriots by 3
Patriots’ keys to victory: Load the box, stop RB Saquon Barkley and force rookie QB Tommy DeVito to attempt throws down the field. With TE Darren Waller still on IR and no other mismatches of concern, it should be an easy task for the New England defense. Things are equally straightforward on offense: Keep QB Mac Jones upright, call high-percentage passes to limit turnovers and control the clock with RB Rhamondre Stevenson and a longtime Giants killer, RB Ezekiel Elliott.
Giants’ keys to victory: DeVito will need to continue playing solid football while eliminating many of the mistakes that cost him against Washington, and the offensive line will have to play at a level it hasn’t reached in a decade. Scoring on defense may be the key, so defensive coordinator Don Martindale will have to dial up constant pressure. Creating turnovers is a must, and scoring on defense is also a likely requirement. It worked in Week 11, so keep that ball rolling.
Matchup to watch: Patriots LT Trent Brown vs. Giants LB Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Giants aren’t going to score many points offensively, so the defense must step up and fill that role as well. Thibodeaux has been wildly inconsistent in recent weeks, so he’ll need to find more consistent success. If he can’t get home, create havoc and help generate turnovers, the Giants have little chance of winning.
Who wins? The Giants aren’t likely to win again this season even after a big upset last week, and no one is coming to save them.
Patriots, 24-6
Dan Benton, Giants Wire