Patriots-Giants Predictions: Nothing Comes Easy
BOSTON (CBS) – The CBSBoston sports team makes their predictions for the New England Patriots showdown with the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium.
Andy Gresh, 98.5 The Sports Hub
The Patriots will have their hands full with the Giants three wide receivers set, and if they don't get pressure on Eli Manning they'll have issues.
But I expect the New England defense to be way better than last week. They'll run for at least 125 yards offensively and win 31-17.
Scott Zolak, 98.5 The Sports Hub
The Patriots will have to start fast on offense giving the way the last two weeks have have gone.
Gresh & Zo Whiteboard: Stopping The Giants Pass-Rush
They need to mix the run in more to help keep their pass rush off Tom Brady. Look for the tight ends to be big on seam routes against a depleted secondary. The defense should have confidence if Hakeem Nicks and Ahmad Bradshaw are out.
Pats by 10
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
After last week's loss, the Patriots not only need to bounce back but they need to bounce back with authority.
Let's start with the defense. Can anybody sack the quarterback besides Andre Carter? Eli Manning can be rattled, so less zone coverage and start blitzing!
Steve Gives His Prediction On WBZ NewsRadio 1030
Podcast
More pressure on the QB should help the secondary as well. Receivers have been too wide open, especially over the middle of the field. You know things aren't good when your nose tackle has more interceptions than your cover guys…
Stats: Patriots-Giants Head to Head
As far as the offense goes, Kevin Faulk is back and looks like he hasn't lost a beat. He's still strong, hungry and smart. But just because the savvy vet is back doesn't mean he should take the ball away from BenJarvis Green-Ellis or Stevan Ridley. Both have run well, just not so much in the last few weeks.
The offensive line will have their hands full again, so they need to worry about more protection and less penalties. Stop jumping offsides! If you give Tom Brady the time he can pick apart any defense, even with receivers that can't get open.
And Ocho, it's Week 9. Do Something!
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
I think this will be a tough game for the Patriots for two reasons:
1) The Giants have the ability to pressure Tom Brady by simply using their 4 down linemen. Jason Pierre-Paul(8.5 sacks), Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, and crew can give Brady fits within the pocket. You just hope Brady has time to find Welker, Branch or the tight ends. If he doesn't, it could be another frustrating day.
2) Eli Manning. He's played at an elite level this season as he's fourth behind Rodgers, Brees, and Brady in passing yards per game with a 304 yd/gm average. He's seventh in the NFL with 13 TD's and has thrown only five picks. If he can pick apart the Pats secondary like Ben Roethlisberger did, then watch out.
With that said, I still like the Pats to bounce back. Per the Pats PR staff, New England is 26-2 since the beginning of the 2003 season in games following a loss and they've lost back-to-back-games just twice, once in 2006 and once in 2009.
Not to mention they are at Gillette, where only one NFC team has won since it opened.
Final: Pats 24-21
Dan Roche and Levan Reid Break Down The Giants
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
It would be easy for me to say the Pats are going to win this game because they are playing at home. That seems to be the easy finish when New England takes on anyone at Gillette Stadium. But coming off a loss, that I thought would happen but did not have the mustard to predict, I think they are going to bounce back.
All week-long in that locker room, the defense has had to hear it. They are getting killed nationally and for good reason, right now they are not that good defensively. This week I expect them to take some of that pride back. It would be nice to see the Pats blitz and mix up coverages. The focus this week will also be for that defense to get off the field. This will be a good test because Eli Manning is having a very good season.
Read: Levan Reid's Patriots Blog
Tom Brady gets a chance to go up against another team that thinks they have the blueprint to beat he and the offense. He beat the Jets and Dallas and here come the G-men with their strong front four. As long as the offense is on the field more than 20:38, they should win this game.
Walt Perkins, WBZ NewsRadio 1030
The New England Patriots, under the direction of Bill Belichick, do not lose back-to-back games very often. This week will be no different.
Although the Patriots were brought down a peg in Pittsburgh, they still were in a position to pull out a victory if they had made a few more plays.
The Giants bring a pass rush that leads the league (one more sack than the Steelers). It is the same pass rush that swamped Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLII and kept the Patriots from completing an undefeated season.
Justin Tuck and his teammates will be looking to make this Sunday a living hell for Brady and his offensive line.
The Patriots may try to off-set that pass rush by establishing a running game. The Giants have struggled this season trying to contain the run, giving up 130 yards per game. This could be a big game for BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Stevan Ridley and Kevin Faulk.
One thing the Patriots cannot afford to do is fall behind, forcing Brady into passing situations. That's when the Giants front is at its fearsome best.
For the Patriots to succeed on Sunday, draws and screens may be the order of the day.
As for that Patriots defense, it is getting better, despite giving up 365 yards through the air in Pittsburgh. I don't think a banged-up Giants offense will do too much damage.
New England 27, NY Giants 17
Tune in to the Patriots-Giants game on 98.5 The Sports Hub Sunday at 4:15pm. Pregame coverage kicks on WBZ-TV at 11:30am with Patriots Gameday, with the Hub's coverage beginning at 1pm. After the game, tune in to the Hub for the Patriots Postgame show, and to MY TV38 for Patriots Fifth Quarter.
