It used be the Patriots performed their greatest soccer down the stretch, gaining steam towards an annual playoff run.
“Real football,” they stated, began after Thanksgiving.
Well, right here we’re.
The Patriots (2-8) possible can’t salvage their season, however they’ll start to string strong performances collectively Sunday. The Giants (3-8) are plagued with extra issues than even Bill Belichick’s bunch, together with a third-string rookie quarterback, poor weapons and a protection that may’t cease anybody. That doesn’t imply the Pats ought to waltz right into a win, even when they’re 3.5-point favorites.
But in the event that they intend to start out enjoying their greatest soccer, Sunday is the perfect place to start out. Here’s what to look at for:
When the Patriots run
As nicely because the Patriots ran the ball two weeks in the past towards the Colts, racking up a season-high 167 yards in Germany, there’s an opportunity they construct on that efficiency Sunday.
The Giants’ run protection ranks among the many league’s worst by most metrics. Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson has lastly found his previous kind, breaking 10 tackles during the last month, which matches his whole from the earlier six video games mixed. Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott nonetheless lag within the conventional stats, however are powering one of many NFL’s most effective dashing assaults by success price and short-yardage measures.
For the Pats to proceed rising their run sport, they need to block Giants nostril deal with Dexter Lawrence. The 6-foot-4, 340-pounder is a menace within the center with 4 sacks and 17 QB hits. As a run stuffer, he charges because the second-best run-stopping defensive in deal with, per Pro Football Focus.
“He’s a really good player,” Pats middle David Andrews stated of Lawrence. “He’s big, physical, can rush the passer, stop the run. I think any time you’re playing someone like that, you definitely want to try to not let them wreck the game and understand his strengths and weaknesses. He’s a really good player.”
When the Patriots move
If there’s one factor the Patriots can financial institution on seeing Sunday, it’s blitz strain.
Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale lengthy beloved sending further rushers at opposing quarterbacks. New York owns the NFL’s fourth-highest blitz price at 36.9%. Most opponents have trusted their cornerbacks to win 1-on-1 towards the Patriots receivers, and the Giants ought to be no completely different.
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That will put further strain on rookie slot receiver Demario Douglas and tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki to win over the center of the sector, the place Patriots quarterbacks wish to throw most frequently, particularly towards strain. Not solely should they uncover, however anticipate the blitz earlier than it will get dwelling.
“It’s tough,” Henry stated. “They give quite a lot of completely different appears on each down, the place quite a lot of groups generally simply combine that in on third down, they do it all through the entire sport; irrespective of the down or distance or the personnel. So, it is a tall job.
“And they do it with different personnel (groupings), as well. With the front they have, it makes it very, very hard, and then because of that, they’ve caused a lot of turnovers.”
When the Giants run
Two phrases: discover Barkley.
Giants operating again Saquon Barkley dominates carries, taking 105 extra rushes than every other runner regardless of lacking three video games earlier this season. Barkley is averaging simply 4.3 yards per carry, however stays a menace to take it the gap each time he touches the ball.
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Patriots defenders pressured the necessity to play to their leverage towards him, counting on one another versus single-handedly making an attempt to tackle Barkley’s velocity and/or energy.
“He’s a dangerous back, so we’ve got to make sure that we wrap up and gang tackle whenever he has the ball in his hands,” Pats linebacker Jahlani Tavai stated. “So it’ll be crucial for us to make sure we practice that. … Like I said before, tackling is a big thing for us and we’re gonna make sure that we emphasize it on every drill.”
When the Giants move
Rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito gained his first begin for the Giants final week, when he threw three touchdowns at Washington. DeVito is finishing simply 61.3% of his passes for 506 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.
It was once a protected assumption that Belichick might spin any rookie quarterback right into a tizzy. But Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who’s bested his previous boss because the Browns offensive coordinator and extra not too long ago main the Bills’ offense earlier than he left for New York, is aware of the ins and outs of the Patriots’ considering. Because of that, Belichick expects Daboll to open his bag of methods to assist in giving DeVito an edge.
“Brian’s a really good play-caller, does a really good job keeping us off balance. We saw that certainly in multiple games against him in Buffalo,” Belichick stated this week. “We’re going to have to do a really good job there being disciplined, following our rules and be ready for the unexpected for anything from no huddle to gadget plays to just their normal conventional game planning.”
After Barkley, the Giants’ prime pass-catchers to know are Darius Slayton (team-leading 419 yards) and second-year slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (239).
Game choose
Patriots 13, Giants 9
Source: www.bostonherald.com