The NFL preseason comes to an end this weekend and among the final games is a showdown between the New England Patriots (2-0) and the New York Giants (0-2). The teams spent this week taking part in joint practices in New England before traveling south for the preseason finale.
Kickoff from MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands is set for 6:00 p.m. ET Sunday and the game will be televised on NFL Network. The Patriots are -3.5 as they look to finish the preseason 3-0.
Patriots Ready for Finale
By all reports, rookie quarterback Mac Jones had a fantastic week of joint practices against the Giants defense and he gets one more chance to shine in a preseason game. With Cam Newton gone from practice for five days after an issue with the COVID protocol, Jones got all the first-team reps against the Giants this week. Newton returned on Friday and could play in the game on Sunday.
Both quarterbacks played well last week in the 35-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Newton was 8-for-9 for 103 yards and a touchdown while Jones went 13-for-19 for 146 yards.
Running backs J.J. Taylor and Rhamondre Stevenson played so well in the first two preseason games that the Patriots traded Sony Michel to the LA Rams this week. Stevenson has 193 yards in the two games with four touchdowns while Taylor has 103 yards total and one score.
The Patriots’ defense shutout the Philadelphia Eagles last week and they have allowed just 13 points in two preseason games. They have two sacks and two turnovers forced
Starters Playing for Giants
For the first time, this preseason quarterback Daniel Jones and a majority of the Giants offensive starters will be on the field. Head coach Joe Judge, a former Patriots assistant, said he expects Jones and the starters to play the majority of the first half. Backup quarterback Mike Glennon started the first two preseason games for the Giants and will replace Jones on Sunday.
Among those who won’t be playing though are running back Saquon Barkley (knee), wideout Kenny Golladay (hamstring), and first-round pick WR/RB Kadarious Toney (Covid). Last week when the Giants lost in Cleveland 17-13, Corey Clement led the way with nine rushes for 30 yards while Devontae Booker ran six times for 27 yards and a touchdown.
David Sills V has had a nice camp at wideout and he caught five passes for 31 yards against Cleveland with a touchdown as well. Rysen John led all Giants receivers with 58 yards on three catches.
The Giants’ defense has been good in the preseason with 27 points allowed total in two games. They have forced a turnover in each game and have four sacks in the preseason.
Batting Analysis
New England Patriots -3.5 (-105). Moneyline -190
New York Giants +3.5 (-115). Moneyline +160
Total: 36.5 points. Over -110. Under -110
It will be interesting to see what Daniel Jones can do against a Patriots defense that just completely shut down another NFC East opponent last week. Without Barkley and Golladay, he will need to build chemistry elsewhere and also get protected by an offensive line that allowed five sacks in the first preseason game. The Patriots offense has some questions to answer as well but they have the talent on the field to take down the Giants on Sunday.
FREE PICK: Patriots -3.5 (-110)