The New England Patriots, the team the New York Giants face on Monday night, is an intriguing team the Giants would like to emulate with a 2026 turnaround. Let’s learn more about the Patriots in this week’s ‘5 questions’ segment. Taylor Kyles of SB Nation’s Pats Pulpit is our huckleberry this week.
Taylor: I actually predicted a 13-4 season for the Patriots based on their strength of schedule, but the quality of play has been more impressive than I anticipated. Mike Vrabel’s experience and credibility have been invaluable in his first season. Players quickly bought into his message and hands-on approach, and there’s a special bond on this team that veteran Carlton Davis said is unlike anything he’s experienced as a pro.
Drake Maye’s improved pocket presence and eye discipline, Josh McDaniels’ quarterback-friendly scheme, and a much-improved supporting cast have elevated Maye from a promising rookie to a legitimate MVP candidate. He hasn’t been perfect, the team as a whole has its fair share of weaknesses, but New England seems well ahead of schedule.
Taylor: Beginning his tenure with Maye at quarterback certainly helped, but Vrabel also assembled an impressive coaching staff, helped re-shaped the roster, and put his fingerprint on the organization from day one. It’s also impossible to ignore how a team that consistently found ways to lose the past couple of years has done the opposite in Vrabel’s first season. I can’t say whether another coach having early success would or wouldn’t have worked in this situation, but both teams are shining examples of how quickly the right head coach (and a young franchise quarterback) can turn things around.
Ed: If you could take one player off the Giants’ roster and put him in New England’s lineup, who would it be? Why?
Taylor: This might be cheating, but Drake Maye and a healthy Malik Nabers has Hall of Fame connection written all over it. While Kayshon Boutte has been an excellent deep threat for the Patriots, Nabers is the type of special talent and prototypical boundary receiver that Maye would thrive with. I’m not sure how much opposing defenses could do to keep them quiet for a full game.
Taylor: Despite what Brian Burns may believe, Drake’s processing have been very impressive for his age and experience. The big arm and athleticism make the headlines, but he also sniffs out most disguises, moves defenders with his eyes and body, and is consistently improving as a pocket passer. Maye’s struggled with holding the ball and taking unnecessary sacks/hit at times, but he’s shown significant growth in that area in recent weeks.
Moving forward, faster starts and protecting the football are the biggest areas where Maye must improve. He couldn’t hit the broad sign of a barn early last week before locking in mid-game, and he has yet to show he can go multiple games without a turnover-worthy play. That said, it comes with the territory when watching an uber-talented young passer learn what he can and can’t get away with, and the maturity he’s shown to adapt and improve suggests he could become a perennial All-Pro candidate once the bad habits are ironed out.
Taylor:
1. Stick to the ground game. The Patriots have gone from a historic run defense to one of the league’s worst in the past four games. If New York is willing to stay disciplined, it could keep the Patriots’ offense sidelined and drain valuable time off the clock.
2. Attack linebackers and safeties in coverage. The spine of the Patriots’ defense is smart and competitive, but most of their linebackers are average athletes, and rookie Craig Woodson lacks the length to consistently disrupt the catch-point.
3. Finish. The Patriots have had to win close recently, often thanks in part to missed opportunities by their opponents. If New York takes advantage of bad football, they’ll have a real shot at an upset against a banged up Patriots team.
See More:
