Kickoff: The Patriots are back off of last week’s bye week. The last time we saw them was two weeks ago when they lost 10-6 to the Colts in Germany. Many considered that loss the low point of the season but with six games left in the season, it could get worse.

The Giants are coming off of a home win over the rival Washington Commanders. 

Here are four keys to today’s game.

1, Mac is back! So much for Jones not starting. Jones gives the Patriots the best chance to win so he is back as the starter. As always, the Patriots need to find a way early on to get him into a rhythm. Look for more three step passes and an emphasis on the ground game as Bill O’Brien tries to get this woeful offense on track. 

2. Pressure DeVito: The Giants have the worst passing game in the league, averaging just over 150 yards per game. The Patriots can play more man coverage today and blitz back up quarterback Tommy DeVito. Get after him early and rattle him.

3. Generate turnovers: The Patriots are -6 in takeaways, giveaways. That’s good for 26th in the league. They need to generate more turnovers and give the offense more possessions. If they don’t, it will once again be hard to win a game. 

4. Win the line of scrimmage: The Patriots should be able to run the ball today. New York gives up 135 yards per game on the ground. Conversely, they average 111.5 yards per game on the ground which is good for 13th in the NFL. If the Patriots are going to win today, it is simple. Run the ball and stop the run. 

Extra Point: The Patriots and Giants will meet for the 12th time in the regular season and for the first time since Oct. 10, 2019, when the Patriots beat the Giants, 35-14, at Gillette Stadium in a Thursday Night Football Game.

The two teams have met frequently in the preseason, squaring off in the preseason openers for three straight years from 2001-03 and resuming the series in 2005 when they started to meet in the preseason finale through the 2021 season. The two teams met in the preseason opener in the 2022 season. They did not meet in the preseason prior to this season.

The Patriots have faced the Giants more than any other team in the preseason with 31 meetings. 

The teams played three times during the 2007 and 2011 seasons with meetings in the preseason, the regular season and in the Super Bowl.

Overall, the Patriots lead the series with a 7-4 edge in the regular season. 

Final Drive: Look, let’s face it. Ideally the Patriots lose this game and maintain a top three pick but the Giants are equally as bad so this game is a toss up. Obviously the Patriots will play to win and if they play well, they should win. I would not expect much entertainment in this game. It could be ugly. Expect a low scoring affair.