A battle between two of the worst teams in the NFL takes center stage on Sunday when the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants.
There isn’t anything to fight for in regards to playoff positioning with both teams already on the outside looking into the postseason picture. However, this is an important game in regards to positioning on the 2024 NFL draft board.
If the season ended today, the Patriots would be selecting at No. 3 overall in the draft, while the Giants are currently sitting at No. 5 on the draft board.
Both teams have dealt with their own issues this season. After spending an entire season dissecting the Patriots’ problems, we went behind enemy lines to get a closer look at the 2023 Giants team with Giants Wire managing editor Dan Benton.
1
To outsiders, this game could be considered a Tank Bowl between two of the worst teams in the NFL. Offense has been the issue for New England. Has the same been true for the Giants with backup Tommy DeVito playing quarterback?
It’s been consistently bad regardless of who’s under center for the Giants. Last week was an odd exception but can be attributed to the Giants simply owning Washington for…well, basically forever.
The main issue plaguing the Giants is their inability to protect the quarterback and an endless revolving door as every position across the offensive line (outside of left tackle when Andrew Thomas is healthy).
The miscommunication issues are the most glaring and the amount of free rushers are almost hard to believe. The below graphic explains why the Giants are so handicapped on offense.
Run block and pass block composites together pic.twitter.com/8q9PGwtSAY
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) November 22, 2023
2
Brian Daboll, who has history as a former Patriots assistant coach, was NFL Coach of the Year last season. What led to such a fall-off in Year 2 with the Giants?
The Giants played well above their heads a season ago and were destined to fall back to earth, although no one really anticipated it being this pronounced. The aforementioned offensive line issues are the main culprit, but there has also been an abundance of injuries, terrible special teams play, inconsistency on defense and, truth be told, some really poor coaching on Daboll’s part.
His time management is suspect and these are issues the Giants struggle to overcome due to personnel deficiencies. They still have a long, long way to go.
3
Whenever Patriots fans think of the Giants, they usually think of a scary pass rush. What has that element of the defense looked like since drafting Kayvon Thibodeaux?
It’s certainly not the dominating edge rush that the Patriots or their fans saw in those two Super Bowls. They get a strong interior push from Dexter Lawrence, who may miss this game, and then the obvious production out of Kayvon Thibodeaux but that’s it.
There’s really no one else on this team that generates organic pressure (Azeez Ojulari does occasionally) and they ultimately have to fall back on Wink Martindale’s exotic blitz packages. Until they add someone opposite of Thibs, it’s going to be a one-man show.
4
With such an inexperienced quarterback under center, what do you see as the best path of success for the Giants offensively against a Patriots defense that has still somehow been decent, despite being banged up?
The Giants have to recreate the blueprint from a week ago — turnovers, turnovers and more turnovers. The defense has to take the ball away and shorten the field or at the very least, get off the field on fourth down. Put Tommy DeVito in as many plus situations as possible and hope that he continues being careful with the ball.
Outside of that, you hope for the big Saquon Barkley home run or the random deep ball to Jalin Hyatt, which isn’t happening nearly enough. DeVito isn’t going to be a guy who can drive the field repeatedly.
5
This is sure to be a high-scoring game between two of the league's most explosive offenses. Kidding. What's your prediction and score for this matchup?
This has shootout written all over it! If only. Giants fans may be riding high after last week’s dominating victory but it’s Bill Belichick and a solid defense up ahead against a rookie quarterback.
Even on the road, I find it hard to believe the Patriots defense won’t be ready for this one. They have to be licking their chops to go up against this mess of an offensive line and a rookie signal-caller. Patriots 24, Giants 6.
