Giants at Patriots
THE STORY: The Giants meet the Patriots for the first time since New York upset New England to claim Super Bowl XLII 17-14. While both teams harbor hopes of getting back to the season-ending classic, they also both have questions to answer. The Giants have won five of their last six games despite a dreadful rushing attack, and New England’s defense, which was picked apart by Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, is ranked last in the NFL in total yards and passing defense.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Patriots -9, O/U 51.
ABOUT THE GIANTS (5-2): New York begins a brutal stretch of six straight games against some of the league’s best teams with its game at Foxborough on Sunday. New York leads the NFL with 26 sacks and needs to pressure Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Pittsburgh made Brady uncomfortable by blitzing him throughout the game. The Giants have several key injuries. RB Ahmad Bradshaw is listed as doubtful with a cracked bone in his foot, DE Osi Umenyiora has a shoulder injury and WR Hakeem Nicks is battling a hamstring problem. New York is ranked 30th in rushing so a healthy Bradshaw is crucial.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (5-2): Although he has won an amazing 31 straight starts at home, even the immortal Brady looked human last week. Brady failed to throw for 200 yards and is merely ranked second in the league in passing after a sizzling start that led many to believe he’d break every passing mark for the season. Brady has thrown 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions in seven games. RB Kevin Faulk returned to the lineup last week and played well. He could be a key if the Giants can indeed pressure Brady. WR Wes Welker was missing from Wednesday’s practice with a neck injury.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. New England was 18-0 heading into the Super Bowl loss to the Giants, but Eli Manning engineered an 83-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass with 35 seconds left to pace the Giants to victory following the 2007 season.
2. Manning has only six turnovers this season. He threw 25 interceptions in 2010.
3. New England was outgained by Pittsburgh 427-213 last week, easily its worst performance of the season.