The Patriots host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. The Giants are struggling coming into the game but still pose a formidable challenge because they are strong in certain areas.

The Patriots are running on fumes and desperately need their upcoming by week. Before they get to that bye week, they will need to get past the Giants.

Here is how the Patriots could attack them offensively and defensively.

Offense

Run off-tackle: The Giants have the worst run defense in the NFL. The Patriots could run anything they want tonight and it will be there. Power, outside zone, toss and pin and pull are all off tackle run plays that should be good.

Duo, counter and wham run plays: Running duo and counter schemes will also be there. These running plays trap and kick out Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter at the point of attack, forcing them to have to take on blockers and get off blocks. This should slow them down as pass rushers.

Throw deep on the outside: The Giants corners are susceptible to giving up big plays on the outside so expect the Patriots to take some shots down the field, outside the hashes when they are in plus territory. Fade balls, double moves and back shoulder fades are all on the menu.

Tailback screens: The Giants aggressive pass rush could be a problem. One of the best ways to solve that problem is to run screens, specifically tailback screens. Get the ball to Henderson and Stevenson in space and get them down the field.

Middle flood concepts: Expect the Patriots to run a variety of high, low middle flood concepts inside the hashes. These running plays isolate their safeties and linebackers underneath and give the Patriots an advantage in the passing game.

Defense

Blitz 5 and 6: Jackson Dart is back so I would welcome him back by blitzing him. Five and six man pressure will be a big part of this week’s defensive plan. Bring off ball pressure and walk up pressure. The Patriots need to force the issue at the line of scrimmage.

Play Cover 1 (man free) and Cover 2 Man: I would play a lot of man coverage in this game. With Malik Nabers out, the Patriots have the luxury of being aggressive in coverage and locking down their receivers across the board. Do it with Cover 1 and Cover 2 man in long down situations.

Spy Dart in certain situations: As much as I hate wasting an underneath defender on sly coverage, you have to do it against a quarterback like Dart who likes to put the ball down after his first or second read. Spying especially on medium and long downs will be key. Do not let him put it down, take off and extend a drive.

Sim pressure: Baiting Dart into bad throws will be key tonight. Look for the Patriots to move around a lot tonight along the front seven in an effort to create confusion and bait Dart into bad decisions.

Disguise in the secondary: I would not go crazy in terms of disguising tonight but on early downs, I would move around in the secondary and change the coverage picture post snap. Forcing Dart to hold the ball an extra second or two could lead to more sack opportunities.