The unbeaten New England Patriots (5-0) will host an injury-depleted New York Giants team (2-3) on Thursday Night Football at Gillette Stadium.
Here’s what to watch for:
Bill Belichick’s defense against QB Daniel Jones
The Giants rookie quarterback has his hands full and he hasn’t even stepped on the field yet. With the Giants offense missing the team’s two best running backs in Saquon Barkley and Wayne Gallman, starting tight end Evan Engram and No. 2 receiver in Sterling Shepard, Jones could be in for a rough night.
Of course, the fact that he’s going against a Bill Belichick-led defense that is a perfect 12-0 against rookie quarterbacks at Gillette Stadium will make it all the more tough. Belichick noted Jones’ ability with his legs and with the weather likely to be wet and cold, priority No. 1 will likely be to contain Jones. The Patriots depth at linebacker, like they showed against Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, gives New England a clear advantage in that.
CB Stephon Gilmore and the Patriots secondary against WR Golden Tate
That brings us to our next point. With so many offensive weapons left on the sideline, receiver Golden Tate the last of the remaining true playmakers the Patriots need to worry about.
Then again, they have among the best secondaries in the league. It will likely be 2018 All-Pro Stephon Gilmore that shadows Tate around, but both Jonathan Jones and Jason McCourty are both capable. Tate, who missed the first four games of the season due to serving a suspension, was limited to just three catches on six targets last week against the Minnesota Vikings, He was not much of a factor against the Vikings and the Patriots defense could make sure that’s the case again.
Patriots interior offensive line against Giants DT Dexter Lawrence
The Patriots offensive line struggled in the first half against the Washington Redskins last week, but that was mostly on the exterior. The interior, mainly right guard Shaq Mason and center Ted Karras, will have their hands full with Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, a 2019 first-round pick out of Clemson.
Quarterback Tom Brady is at far from his best when he’s dealing with interior pressure and Lawrence is one player who could truly reck a game plan.
Jakobi Meyers as No. 3 WR
Phillip Dorsett will not play against the Giants due to a hamstring injury that came up in Washington. While it means Brady is down a reliable target, it also means rookie Jakobi Meyers will see snaps as the No. 3 receiver for the second consecutive week. Meyers played 36 snaps with Dorsett sidelined against the Redskins.
While Brady and Meyers did not get off to a hot start in the preseason game, Meyers has said he feels like the connection is coming along.
Meyers has four receptions for 66 yards on the year. The No. 3 receiver role is quite a transition for Meyers, who was inactive when the Patriots had Antonio Brown for Week Two in Miami. We’ll see I he can make the most of the opportunity.
Sony Michel and the Patriots’ ground game
Second-year running back Sony Michel turned in his best performance of the season on Sunday in Washington, mainly due to the Patriots featuring the run much more in the second half. So now that they’ve gained some traction, can they keep their gas?
The Giants are another team that is outside the top-20 in run defenses. New York has given up 130 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 23rd in the NFL. The Giants defense is 30th overall in yards allowed per game. Perhaps with the incoming rain and reported wind, the Patriots will allow Michel to eclipse a season-high in carries (21).
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