It’s not a Super Bowl matchup this time, but in this Thursday Night Football game, Nick Ballistreri gives his Giants/Patriots Pick.
Game: New York Giants at New England Patriots
Date & Time: Thursday October 10th, 2019, 8:20 (EST)
Location: Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
The Line: New England Patriots 17, O/U: 41
TV Channel: FOX
New York Giants at New England Patriots Preview
The Patriots (5-0) are rolling, and off to their best start since the 2015. It’s not just that the Patriots are winning, it’s how they’re winning, as their point differential is an astonishing 155-34. The defense has been on a roll, as they have recorded at least five sacks in four straight games, all while not allowing a passing touchdown as a defense. On a team with Tom Brady, this team is being carried by their defense.
If there’s a red flag on this Patriots team, it surprisingly is the offense. Now, they’re not struggling by any means, and a team with Tom Brady at the helm will figure it out, but just hear me out. Without the defense scoring points, they’re not putting teams away at will by scoring. Wide Receiver Josh Gordon is questionable for this game , and fellow WR Phillip Dorsett has already been ruled out. With the lack of weapons on the outside, look for the Patriots to establish the run early and often.
In what was looked at as a lost season in New York, rookie Quarterback Daniel Jones has given the team, and the fanbase, life. After starting the season 0-2, Giants fans were calling for change, and that’s what they got when Jones was inserted into the starting lineup, only to win his first two starts to get the Giants to .500. Jones came back to earth a bit against the Vikings last week, but the Giants are 2-3 and only a game back in the NFC East.
On the injury front, it isn’t pretty for New York. Not only is star RB Saquon Barkley still out with his lower leg injury, his backup, Wayne Gallman, was diagnosed with a concussion and will miss the game. It doesn’t get much better at the skill positions, as WR Sterling Sheperd is also battling a concussion, and TE Evan Engram is ruled out of this one as well. Against a defense like this and a rookie QB, this is the last thing Giants fans wanted.
New York Giants at New England Patriots Prediction
The Patriots are favored by 17 points in this one, but I don’t think it’s enough. Let me explain. I already mentioned all the injuries from above, and it’s going to be extremely difficult for the Giants to get anything going offensively. A thing to keep an eye on is the weather forecast, as Foxboro is currently forecasted to have heavy rain and winds at gametime. This is more bad news for the Giants. With a forecast like this, teams tend to look to run the ball more to control the clock, but this will be even more difficult for the Giants with their top-2 running backs out.
I simply just don’t see the Giants scoring much in this one, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots score a touchdown or two on the defensive end, especially with this weather forecast. One more thing of note: The Giants beat Bill Belichick in two Super Bowls, and as much as he’ll never admit it, I bet there’s a little extra motivation to put it to the Giants there. Give me the Patriots at -17.
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