Patriots vs. Giants: 3 Key Matchups
By Eric Mollo
Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (76) without his helmet in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Giants’ Offensive Line vs. Patriots’ Front Seven
Maybe the most underrated part of this Patriots’ team: their pass rush. They’re second in the NFL in sacks, and have talent up front that doesn’t get enough credit. Chandler Jones is just a tremendous, complete football player, and Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard generate a lot of pressure on the edges.
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They’re really, really good, and Bill Belichick is a master schemer, so they’ll attack the Giants’ line from all directions. This is one of Bill Belichick’s more talented defensive fronts in recent years, and he’s taken full advantage of it.
That said, Giants’ offensive line has come together in recent weeks. If they’re going to stay in this game, they’ll have to really win this matchup and keep their offensive flow. It could be the number one, and maybe the only, way to stop Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski from tearing up the Meadowlands Sunday evening.