The Pats and Giants have played four times (not counting preseason) in the Belichick/Brady and Coughlin/Eli eras. (They played in 2003 but Eli and Coughlin were not there yet in NY)
Here were the results:
2007
- Regular season (at NY): Pats 38, Giants 35
- Super Bowl: Giants 17, Pats 14
2011
- Regular season (at NE): Giants 24, Pats 20
- Super Bowl: Giants 21, Pats 17
So outside of the 2007 regular season matchup, the Giants have always found a way to slow down the Pats' offense, holding them below their season average by a considerable margin.
2007 (14 points allowed) = 22.8 points below their average
2011 (20 points allowed) = 12.1 points below their average
2011 (17 points allowed) = 15.1 points below their average
Now in those years, the Giants had a defense pretty ideal for playing against NE. A dominating front four that really got after Brady. This year they don't have that. But JPP is back and he could make a huge difference.
On the other side of the ball, the Giants have weapons that could give the Pats fits. Beckham and Randle are both very good (Beckham is tremendous). And Vereen is a terrific back catching the ball, as we know. And Eli is a quality quarterback. So they could present the Patriots with some significant challenges. Plus, the game is on the road for the Patriots, which puts them at a little disadvantage.
Moreover, the Patriots are dealing with significant injuries, especially on the offensive line. Losing Dion Lewis hurts a ton as well, and on the defensive side of the ball, it remains to be seen if Collins will be back.
All in all, this is probably the toughest test the Pats will have faced all year to date. We should expect a very close game, one the Pats could lose unless they play very well. It sure would be nice to give them a little payback for two particular games in 2007 and 2011.
Here were the results:
2007
- Regular season (at NY): Pats 38, Giants 35
- Super Bowl: Giants 17, Pats 14
2011
- Regular season (at NE): Giants 24, Pats 20
- Super Bowl: Giants 21, Pats 17
So outside of the 2007 regular season matchup, the Giants have always found a way to slow down the Pats' offense, holding them below their season average by a considerable margin.
2007 (14 points allowed) = 22.8 points below their average
2011 (20 points allowed) = 12.1 points below their average
2011 (17 points allowed) = 15.1 points below their average
Now in those years, the Giants had a defense pretty ideal for playing against NE. A dominating front four that really got after Brady. This year they don't have that. But JPP is back and he could make a huge difference.
On the other side of the ball, the Giants have weapons that could give the Pats fits. Beckham and Randle are both very good (Beckham is tremendous). And Vereen is a terrific back catching the ball, as we know. And Eli is a quality quarterback. So they could present the Patriots with some significant challenges. Plus, the game is on the road for the Patriots, which puts them at a little disadvantage.
Moreover, the Patriots are dealing with significant injuries, especially on the offensive line. Losing Dion Lewis hurts a ton as well, and on the defensive side of the ball, it remains to be seen if Collins will be back.
All in all, this is probably the toughest test the Pats will have faced all year to date. We should expect a very close game, one the Pats could lose unless they play very well. It sure would be nice to give them a little payback for two particular games in 2007 and 2011.