The beginning of Week 6 brings what is easily the most boring matchup of the week to Thursday Night. I’m not sure how they keep doing it, but the Patriots are playing their 5th FCS team in six weeks. The Giants are a walking infirmary ward at the moment, missing several of their top playmakers. It’s really a shame we don’t have a deal in place to flex these by now. I know its the NFL and it’ll generate ratings regardless, but this would have to be almost last on the list in terms of entertainment for this week’s slate.
What could possibly be said about the Patriots that hasn’t already been said about them? They’ve looked every bit the preseason favorite to win it again, anchored by what looks like one of the best defenses in recent history. Everyone loves to mock Brady about how he barely has to do anything, and the Good Lord knows I’ve done my fair share, but I’m fairly certain 25 quarterbacks in the league could be atop the AFC East right now with Belichick and that defense behind him. Which sounds like a slight to Brady, who’s been his usual perfect self, but that’s how loaded the rest of the roster is. The defense is surrendering a league best 4.1 YPP, a league best 6.8 PPG, and a league best 12.7% conversion rate on 3rd downs. These are just unfathomable numbers. Sure the schedule is far and away the weakest in the NFL, but these are still NFL offenses they’ve had to face, and they’ve remained tough throughout all the garbage time they’ve had as well.
If I could quote the philosopher Dave Chappelle from The Player Hater’s Ball, “What could I say about that suit, that hasn’t already been said about Afghanistan? It looks bombed out, and depleted.” The poor Giants have to play the league’s best defense without their top 3 playmakers. Saquon Barkley, Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard, and backup RB Wayne Gallman are all out for tonight’s contest, making it pretty much impossible to quantify anything about their potential offensive performance. Belichick eats rookie QBs for breakfast, and Danny Dimes should be no exception. It’s hard to imagine a tougher spot, playing the GOAT coach, on the road, in primetime, against what looks to be a historically great defense. No pressure Danny, we’re just hoping you can make it out alive after this one. If the Giants have any prayer whatsoever, it will be through their defense. Which isn’t to say the Giants defense is good. On the contrary, it’s been absolutely horrendous, and Daniel Jones may need to get 200 yards rushing and 300 yards passing just to have a chance to think about keeping it a close game.
As is tradition, couldn’t have been more wrong on Monday. Cleveland looked every bit the part of a fraudulent team, completely dominated in every facet of the game. San Francisco looked excellent, and looks to be a force in what looks to be the 2nd best division in football. We haven’t got our footing yet in these, but we’ll get there.
Picks
- New England -11/under 48 6pt tease -110
- Giants 1h TT u3.5 +115 .5x
- New England -20 +135 .5x
Season Record
- 7-11 -4.5x
