New England 35 – New York Giants 14
The final score doesn’t quite tell the whole story of this game, in which Tom Brady showed that once again the Giants remain his bogey team. Going into the game Brady was 3-3 against them but pre-game this game looked like the biggest mismatch ever between them as New Yorks had a host of offensive starters missing and a rookie QB who had looked shaky in his latest start, which was the first time he had faced a team with realistic postseason aspirations. So with this advantage and the sting of two Super Bowl losses Big Blue one would have expected the Patriots to put this game away early, however, it certainly didn’t play out that way. Watching the game unfold early one got the impression that somehow Brady has a mental block when it comes to the Giants, which stops him playing up to his normal standard.
Tom Brady looked far from his best in the Patriots win last night.
Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
The First half ended with them leading 21-14, however, the offense failed to score on their opening five drives including turning it over on downs instead of kicking an easy field goal, and giving the ball straight back to the Giants following a Daniel Jones interception. As well as throwing that pick he fumbled the ball which gave the Giants the tying score.
Through the third quarter was scoreless and it took until well into the fourth quarter before the Patriots defense finally put this game to bed with a fumble return. Brady scored another on a QB sneak to ensure they covered the spread, and they did kneel the game out when they could have padded it when Sony Michel broke free to set up 1st and goal inside the 2-minute warning.
So the Patriots went to 6-0 but most of the credit has to go to the Defense & Special Teams who forced four TOs, scored 14 of their points and held the Giants to 213 yards total offense and only 10 first downs.
So What About Daniel Jones?
Daniel Jones struggled again, but to be fair had no supporting cast.
Editorial credit: Soule’ Photography / Shutterstock.com
Well, those opening two wins are now history and he is now getting a taste of what Eli faced – no offensive support and a defense that can’t get the opponents off the pitch. The Giants are now 2-4 and he is 2-2 as a starter, with 5 TDs and 6 interceptions. This was his worst game by far with 161 yards passing and a QBR of 25.3. Its early days for him, but right now he is not good enough to take the team on his shoulders and compete. We should get a clearer idea about his potential once he gets some of his injured colleagues back.
Brady’s Past Games Against The Giants
As mentioned above Tom Brady seems to save his worst games for when he faces the Giants as can be seen from his record:
2003: Patriots 17, Giants 6
2007: Patriots 38, Giants 35
Super Bowl XLII: Giants 17, Patriots 14
2011: Giants 24, Patriots 20
Super Bowl XLVI: Giants 21, Patriots 17
2015: Patriots 27, Giants 26
Not too impressive. Still, the good news for him is that barring a miracle he won’t face them again this year should the Patriots make it to the Super Bowl.
