Giants-Patriots questions, answers: How can New York upset New England?

The New England Patriots, the team the New York Giants face on Monday night, is an intriguing team the Giants would like to emulate with a 2026 turnaround. Let’s learn more about the Patriots in this week’s ‘5 questions’ segment. Taylor Kyles of SB Nation’s Pats Pulpit is our huckleberry this week.

Ed: If someone had told you at the beginning of the season that the Patriots would be 10-2 and almost certain to win the AFC East, would you have believed them? Are Patriots fans still wondering if what they are seeing is real?

Taylor: I actually predicted a 13-4 season for the Patriots based on their strength of schedule, but the quality of play has been more impressive than I anticipated. Mike Vrabel’s experience and credibility have been invaluable in his first season. Players quickly bought into his message and hands-on approach, and there’s a special bond on this team that veteran Carlton Davis said is unlike anything he’s experienced as a pro.

Drake Maye’s improved pocket presence and eye discipline, Josh McDaniels’ quarterback-friendly scheme, and a much-improved supporting cast have elevated Maye from a promising rookie to a legitimate MVP candidate. He hasn’t been perfect, the team as a whole has its fair share of weaknesses, but New England seems well ahead of schedule.

Ed: Is this all about Mike Vrabel? I look at the Patriots as a team that the Giants would like to model themselves after. A team that finds the right coach and takes a big leap next season.

Taylor: Beginning his tenure with Maye at quarterback certainly helped, but Vrabel also assembled an impressive coaching staff, helped re-shaped the roster, and put his fingerprint on the organization from day one. It’s also impossible to ignore how a team that consistently found ways to lose the past couple of years has done the opposite in Vrabel’s first season. I can’t say whether another coach having early success would or wouldn’t have worked in this situation, but both teams are shining examples of how quickly the right head coach (and a young franchise quarterback) can turn things around.

Ed: If you could take one player off the Giants’ roster and put him in New England’s lineup, who would it be? Why?

Taylor: This might be cheating, but Drake Maye and a healthy Malik Nabers has Hall of Fame connection written all over it. While Kayshon Boutte has been an excellent deep threat for the Patriots, Nabers is the type of special talent and prototypical boundary receiver that Maye would thrive with. I’m not sure how much opposing defenses could do to keep them quiet for a full game.

Ed: After all of the hysteria about Jayden Daniels last year I think you can make the case that Drake Maye might end up being the best QB from the 2024 class (BTW, we can still be mad the Patriots wouldn’t trade the Giants the No. 3 pick). How good has Maye been?...