Can the Patriots Finally Beat the Giants

By Don Phillips
November 15
Time: 4:25
New England Patriots at New York Giants
Manning is the ultimate wildcard, capable of topping 400 yards and tossing six touchdowns or topping out at 213 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs as he did in Week 9 against the Buccaneers. This week, the Giants host the Patriots, who have a secondary that can be beaten, so he has a decent chance at another big game if his offensive line gives Manning time to throw. Odell Beckham is the obvious top candidate for “guy Belichick tries to take away” this week. But could the Patriots do that? The 3 times over the past 5 weeks that Beckham put in regular practices (hamstring), he racked up at least 7 catches for 105+ yards. Look for the Giants’ passing volume to rise against a Patriots offense that will score plenty. Rueben Randle has already caught 5 passes in 4 of his past 5 outings. And the Pats will focus primarily on Odell Beckham.
Runner/Pass Catcher Shane Vereen has scored TDs in 3 straight games and 3 of his past 5. He has caught 4+ passes in 5 games so far: 3 narrow losses, 1 late win and last week’s Tampa game. That one didn’t quite match the script of the previous 4, but New England figures to either leave the Giants playing from behind all day or at least producing a back-and-forth scoring game.
Pressure is the one way the Giants can make this game competitive from a defensive standpoint, but Brady was not sacked last Sunday and in fact was under duress on just three of his 39 dropbacks (7.6 percent), the second-lowest pressure percentage over the last three seasons — and the fifth-lowest pressure percentage for any quarterback in a game in 2015. Tight End Rob Gronkowski had his lowest productive game of his season last week versus Washington and if New York can keep his production down, they will have a decent opportunity to win.
NY GIANTS is 6-1 against the spread versus NEW ENGLAND since 1992
The betting public is correct when moving the money line in NEW ENGLAND games 46.3% of the time since 1992. (142-165)
The betting public is correct when moving the money line in NEW ENGLAND games 50% of the time over the past 3 seasons. (17-17)
The betting public is correct when moving the money line in NY GIANTS games 52.8% of the time since 1992. (152-136)
The betting public is correct when moving the money line in NY GIANTS games 50% of the time over the past 3 seasons. (16-16)

Key Player Injuries

NEW ENGLAND
[S] 11/11/2015 – Duron Harmon “?” Sunday vs. NY Giants ( Leg )
[RB] 11/09/2015 – Dion Lewis IR ( Knee )
[T] 11/09/2015 – Sebastian Vollmer “?” Sunday vs. NY Giants ( Head )
[LB] 11/08/2015 – JabaalSheard “?” Sunday vs. NY Giants ( Ankle )
[T] 11/08/2015 – Marcus Cannon “?” Sunday vs. NY Giants ( Toe )
[G] 11/08/2015 – Tre’ Jackson “?” Sunday vs. NY Giants ( Knee )
[LB] 11/08/2015 – Jamie Collins “?” Sunday vs. NY Giants ( Illness )
[C] 11/06/2015 – Ryan Wendell IR ( Knee )
[TE] 10/29/2015 – Rufus Johnson out for season ( Illness )
[CB] 10/18/2015 – Tarell Brown IR ( Foot )
[T] 10/14/2015 – Nate Solder IR ( Bicep )
[FB] 08/29/2015 – James Develin IR ( Tibia )

NY GIANTS
[T] 11/12/2015 – Will Beatty out for season ( Pectoral )
[CB] 11/12/2015 – Prince Amukamara doubtful Sunday vs. New England ( Pectoral )
[LB] 11/12/2015 – James Thomas doubtful Sunday vs. New England ( Ankle )
[TE] 11/12/2015 – Larry Donnell expected to miss Sunday vs. New England ( Neck )
[DT] 11/10/2015 – Johnathan Hankins IR ( Pectoral )
[LB] 11/08/2015 – UaniUnga “?” Sunday vs. New England ( Neck )
[LB] 11/06/2015 – Jon Beason IR ( Ankle )
[DE] 11/05/2015 – OwamagbeOdighizuwa IR – designated to return ( Hamstring )
[WR] 11/04/2015 – Victor Cruz out indefinitely ( Calf )
[TE] 10/06/2015 – Daniel Fells IR ( Foot )
[S] 09/05/2015 – Nat Berhe IR ( Calf )

Selection: New York +7.5