Big Blue View
The New York Giants fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen after their 34–27 loss in Detroit, a game in which the defense capitulated yet another ten-point fourth-quarter lead. Now, with one game before the bye week, outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen steps in as the interim defensive coordinator under interim head coach Mike Kafka.
Bullen now gets a primetime stage — Monday Night Football — to deliver something the Giants have desperately needed during this six-game losing streak: a statement! The Giants’ defense has become synonymous with predictability, comical collapses, and they’ve seemingly developed an allergy to winning. However, New York could shock the football world with an upset road victory against one of the best teams in the NFL, the New England Patriots.
The teams have inverse records: the Giants are 2–10, while the Patriots sit at 10–2. New England currently holds the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The game marks the first December contest; the Patriots are favored by 7.5 points, and the Over/Under is 46.6 points.
The Giants have been battered with injuries on defense. Dexter Lawrence (elbow), Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder), and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (neck/knee) would not have participated if the Giants had practiced on Thursday. Cornerback Paulson Adebo (knee) has missed five straight games, safety Tyler Nubin (neck) has missed two and cornerback/kickoff returner Deonte Banks missed last week’s game. All three were listed as limited.
The Patriots’ offense suffered a few injuries in their 26-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Star rookie left tackle Will Campbell will be sidelined with a knee injury. Rookie third-round left guard Jared Wilson, who is playing well this season, left Week 12 with an ankle injury and appears unlikely to play on Monday.
Josh McDaniels took Drake Maye to another level in the young star’s second season. Maye is currently second in MVP odds at +220; Matt Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams is first. Maye has completed 252 of 355 passing (71%) for 3,130 yards with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also has 307 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns. His ability to see the field, find solutions, throw with anticipation, and allow his receivers to effectively create yards after the catch is beyond impressive for a 23-year-old.
The Patriots average 26.5 points per game, which ranks seventh in the NFL. They average 359.9 yards per game (eighth in the NFL). They’re 19th in rushing yards per game (112.4 RYPG) and are sixth in passing yards per game (247.5 PYPG). The Patriots have the seventh-best efficiency on third down (42.**36%), and are 20th in red zone touchdown percentage (54.76%).
Stefon Diggs is the Patriots’ leading receiver with 61 catches on 74 targets for 679 yards with three touchdowns. Tight end Hunter Henry caught 41 of 59 for 537 yards with five touchdowns, and Kayshon Boutte secured 25 of 33 for 446 yards with five touchdowns as well.
Shifty weapon, Demario Douglas, has 24 catches...
