Tyrone Tracy Jr. will lead the Giants in scrimmage yards on Monday night.
John Schmeelk: Fact – My instinct is always to take the field on these questions, but I think the injury to Milton Williams will hinder the Patriots’ run defense a bit. The Pats are completely healthy in the secondary, where Christian Gonzales and Carlton Davis are big, physical, and fast cornerbacks who will make it challenging for Giants receivers to get open. Tracy appears completely recovered from his shoulder injury and is running with confidence and toughness the past few games. He has 62 or more rushing yards in three straight games, and over 50 receiving yards in his last two. I think the game will be close and the Giants should be able to stick to the running game, where Tracy has dominated carries.
Dan Salomone: Fact – His ability in the run and pass game makes him a threat for this each game. Tracy seems to be hitting his stride again after his injury and then also the season-ender to Cam Skattebo. Tracy has 269 yards from scrimmage in his past two games.
Matt Citak: Fiction – The Patriots boast one of the league’s top run defenses, so while Tracy could make his impact in the passing game, he might struggle to find a lot of room on the ground. Instead, I’ll go with Wan’Dale Robinson, who is coming off the best performance of his career. The fourth-year wideout finished with a career-high 156 yards with a touchdown on nine receptions, and could be in for another big game on Monday.
The Patriots are the best team the Giants face all season.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – The Patriots have the fourth-highest point differential in the NFL (+92), but it has come against the easiest schedule, by far, in the National Football League. The Patriots’ opponents this year boast a .351 winning percentage, lowest in the NFL. The next lowest is the Bears (.369) but then the next worst team is all the way up at .420 (Broncos). Even with their AFC-leading 10-2 record, I have a tough time arguing the Patriots are a better team than the Broncos, Chiefs, Packers, Eagles, or Lions.
Dan Salomone: Fact – It starts at the top. Mike Vrabel is home in New England and has one of the best rising quarterbacks in the game, which we’ll get to next. That makes for a strong combination in the years ahead. Mike Kafka said in his 1-on-1 with Giants.com that you’re always going to get a well-coached and disciplined team from Vrabel. There is no higher compliment for a head coach.
Matt Citak: Fiction – While New England currently has the best record in the NFL at 10-2, they have been aided by a rather easy schedule thus far, as their only impressive wins this season have been over the Bills and Buccaneers. Due to their elite defense, I’d put the Broncos ahead of the Patriots, even with Bo Nix struggling at times this year. Over in the NFC, an argument can be made for the Eagles, 49ers, and Packers all being better than the Patriots. I’m not sure if all three would actually beat New England, but the fact that it’s even a discussion makes me have to go fiction on this one.