The New England Patriots and New York Giants wrap up the preseason with a matchup against each other on Sunday afternoon. The Patriots have won their first two exhibition games, while the Giants are still searching for their first victory. These two teams have faced each other in the last week of the preseason every year since 2005.
Sunday’s contest kickoff is at 6 p.m. EST inside MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. New England is a 3-point road favorite, and the total score over-under is 36. Fans can watch the game on the NFL Network.
What to Know – New England Patriots
New England aims to wrap up the preseason with a perfect 3-0 record after victories over the Washington Football Team (22-13) and the Philadelphia Eagles (35-0). The Patriots are expected to name Cam Newton the starter for the season-opener, but rookie signal-caller Mac Jones has made things interesting.
The two quarterbacks have split reps this preseason, both looking solid under center over the first two games. Newton was 8-of-9 for 103 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles, while Jones finished 13-of-19 for 146 yards.
Reserve running back J.J. Taylor carried the ball 12 times for 93 yards and a touchdown, and rookie Rhamondre Stevenson added 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 15 rushes. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers hauled in three passes for 56 yards and a score.
Head coach Bill Belichick hasn’t rested his starters like most coaches this preseason, so it’ll be interesting to see who plays and how much in the preseason finale.
What to Know – New York Giants
The Giants have lost both preseason games but played mostly reserve players in the first two contests. New York dropped their opener (12-7) to the New York Jets and fell last week, 17-13 to the Cleveland Browns. The Giants expect to give the starters a go for at least the first half in the final game.
With starting quarterback Daniel Jones on the sideline, backups Brian Lewerke and Mike Glennon split time under center. Glennon got the start and played the first half, finishing 10-of-13 for 86 yards. Lewerke took the reigns after halftime and completed 11-of-19 passes for 108 yards with a touchdown and interception.
Corey Clement carried the ball nine times for 30 yards, and veteran back Devontae Booker chipped in six rushes for 27 yards and a touchdown. Rysen John caught three passes for 58 yards, and David Sills V grabbed three passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.
The Pick is In
The Patriots opened as the favorite, and the line has stayed steady through the week. We know we will see Jones for at least a half, but the Giants will still be without star running back Saquon Barkley and other playmakers due to injury.
With Newton and Jones continuing to split time under center and the depth at running back, the Patriots should be able to move the ball against the Giants defense.
Having Jones back under center will give the Giants a boost, but the absence of many of his weapons will be too much for New York to overcome.
The Pick: New England Patriots -3
