Opportunity knocks for Mac Jones as the New England Patriots travel to MetLife Stadium to take on the revamped offense of the New York Giants in preseason action Sunday.
Jones has one more game to impress and try to win the No. 1 QB job in New England. However, Cam Newton is back after a brief protocol absence and both quarterbacks will likely see the field Sunday.
The visitors opened as 4.5-point betting favorites before dropping a point, while the total has been bet up to 35.5.
Here are our free NFL picks and predictions for Patriots vs. Giants on August 29.
Patriots vs Giants game info
• Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NY
• Date: Sunday, August 29, 2021
• Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
• TV: NFL Network
Patriots vs Giants odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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Check out the full line movement for this game
Patriots at Giants betting preview
Weather
Temperatures are expected in the low-80s on Sunday with a very slim chance of precipitation. A mild 7 mph wind will be present. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NFL weather info.
Key injuries
Patriots: Marcus Martin C (Out), N’Keal Harry WR (Out), Hunter Henry TE (Out).
Giants: Kyle Rudolph TE (Out), Adoree Jackson DB (Out).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under went 22-9-1 in the first two weeks of the preseason. Find more NFL betting trends for Patriots vs. Giants.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Patriots have been enjoying the 2021 preseason so far with a 2-0 SU record and have outscored their opponents 57-13. However, the success has been overlooked by the QB battle between the rookie Jones and veteran Newton.
The best ability is availability and Jones seized advantage of that this week, as he took the majority of the first-team reps in the Pats’ first joint practice versus the Giants with Newton spending five days away from camp due to COVID protocols. Newton did return and took the first-team reps on Thursday which opens the door for both these quarterbacks to get ample playing time Sunday, which is great news for New England backers.
On top of having two competent QBs likely to play throughout the game, the New England rushing game has also been on point in the preseason — so good in fact that they shipped Sony Michel to the Rams earlier in the week. Through two games, the Pats have rushed for 386 yards and six scores. If the Giants struggle to move the sticks versus this stout New England defense like they did in the two joint practices, Bill Belichick and Co. could be playing keep away from Daniel Jones and the NYG offense.
Jones and a handful of other starters will be making their preseason debut Sunday as head coach Joe Judge has played backups almost exclusively throughout the preseason. Although many skilled players will be suiting up, some important Giants will miss the game including Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay, Kyle Rudolph, Darius Slayton, Kadarius Toney, Shane Lemieux, and Adoree’ Jackson.
The Eagles went 2 for 12 on third and fourth downs last week versus the New England defense and managed just 163 total yards in a 35-0 loss. Jones was under a bit of pressure in the joint practices this week and could be under similar pressure on Sunday with an O-line that had very few upgrades from a season ago. The New England pass rush had four sacks last week against Joe Flacco and Nick Mullens.
We are high on the Giants’ offense this year, but with so many missing pieces Sunday and facing a legit defense, this isn’t the spot for us. The Pats have two QBs with a lot to play for and a rushing game that could tilt the field.
PREDICTION: New England-4.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
The Patriots scored 35 points last week and still managed to hit the Under. That’s how well this defense has played as they ramp up for the 2021 season.
The Giants have also been playing some Under football in the preseason. They managed just a single TD in a 12-7 loss to the Jets in Week 1, where they put up just 163 yards of total offense. They followed that up with a 17-13 loss to the Browns last week. Yes, the New York starters will suit up, but the total has moved two points already and many of the top-end skilled players will be watching from the sidelines. If New York is forced to play from behind and lean on the passing game, there is not much reason for Judge to risk Jones’ health behind a weak offensive line.
The Pats could also be eating up the clock with the run game. New York allowed 6.5 yards per carry on the ground last week versus the Browns and could get a heavy dose of rookie Rhamondre Stevenson and J.J. Taylor, who have combined for 286 rushing yards and five TDs in the preseason. The focus will definitely be on Newton and Jones, but the NE running game could be the focal point of the offense. Running should eat the clock and keep an already cold New York offense on the sidelines.
Through two weeks of the preseason (not including Week 3), the Under is 22-9-1 with Week 3 having an average total of 33.9. Only four games on the slate have seen their total move north after opening. This one won’t likely get to the key number of 37, but that isn’t bothering us as we’re quite comfortable taking the Under 35.5.
PREDICTION: Under 35.5 (-110)
Patriots vs Giants betting card
- New England -4.5 (-110)
- Under 35.5 (-110)
Picks made on 8/28/2021 at 11:40 a.m. ET
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