5 keys for a Patriots win over the Giants

Eli Manning participates in warmups prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

By Henry McKenna @McKennAnalysis

November 13, 2015

3 minutes to read

COMMENTARY

The 2015 Patriots resemble the 2007 Giants far more than the 2015 Giants do.

New York’s pass rush has been toothless, and its pass defense is leaky, at best. Two weeks ago, the Giants let New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees tie an NFL record with seven touchdown passes in a game. Meanwhile, the Patriots have the NFL’s current sack leader in Chandler Jones, and the second-most team sacks in the league entering Week 10.

Yes, Tom Coughlin is 5-1 against Bill Belichick. But the Giants’ magic (largely consisting of two spectacular catches) doesn’t seem potent enough to stop Tom Brady from throwing the ball on the Giants’ second-worst pass defense in the NFL on Sunday. To keep up, the Giants will likely rely on quarterback Eli Manning, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and running back Shane Vereen.

There will be passing touchdowns.

Here are the keys for a Patriots win over the Giants on Sunday an 4:25 p.m.

1. Devin McCourty needs to outsmart Eli Manning

If a safety is the “quarterback’’ of a defense, then Devin McCourty has been lined up in shotgun for much of the season. Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia have placed McCourty (very, very) deep in the Patriots’ defensive backfield. From there, he assesses an opponent’s passing offense and does his best to disrupt it.

The stat sheet may frequently fail to demonstrate McCourty’s impact, but his ability to fool Eli Manning into throwing an interception (or two … or three), as the Giants’ signal-caller is prone to do, could prove decisive.

2. The offensive line needs to keep up with Tom Brady’s audibles

The Patriots already had a comfortable lead when starting tackle Sebastian Vollmer went down against the Washington Redskins in Week 9. With the offensive line shuffled (even more) after that injury, Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels kept things simple, relying on a power run game to close out the victory. Along the way, Cameron Flemming and Bryan Stork looked competent at offensive line positions they had never previously played in the NFL.

Ahead of the Patriots’ Week 10 showdown with the Giants, Vollmer and fellow offensive linemen Marcus Cannon and Tre’ Jackson haven’t been practicing due to various injuries. If the offensive line shuffling continues (and Bryan Stork is forced to play tackle), then the linemen will have their work cut out for them. With Brady likely increasing the pace of the offense against the Giants in hopes of exploiting a shaky secondary, the linemen will need to be ready for — and able to execute — adjustments at the line of scrimmage.

3. Beware Odell Beckham’s hands

The 23-year-old wide receiver has made a habit of embarrassing cornerbacks — and breaking the Internet. Malcolm Butler will need to be at his best to stop the second-year star from tearing through the Patriots’ secondary. Butler and his teammates would be wise to not let Beckham anywhere near a thrown ball. If it’s remotely close to him, he can catch it.

If the Giants can somehow keep this game close then Beckham’s hands could very well be the ones making a spectacular play that will haunt Patriots fans.

4. Chandler Jones must keep the rush coming

For years, Patriots fans have begged for an improved pass rush. At last, New England has one.

Tom Brady’s brilliance may be dominating the headlines, but Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Jamie Collins, and Dont’a Hightower are dominating opposing offenses. Giants’ 2015 first-round pick Ereck Flowers has been solid this season, but Jones’s disruptive hands and explosive jump off the line should trump the rookie left tackle’s promising skill.

5. James White and Brandon Bolden need to take over Dion Lewis’s duties

The Patriots may not be able to replace injured running back Dion Lewis with any single player. His ability to pass protect was just as important as his productivity with the ball in his hands.

But running backs James White and Brandon Bolden can combine to be Lewis’s surrogate. White showed explosiveness and good hands during preseason play and at Wisconsin, where he was prolific. Bolden has proven reliable in pass protection, and caught an 18-yard touchdown pass against Washington on Sunday.

If Matt Cassel was able to replace Tom Brady for an 11-5 season, then White and Bolden should be able to deputize for Lewis. Under Belichick, the Patriots always seem to manage.