Monday Night Football features a cross-conference matchup, with the 10-2 New England Patriots taking on the 2-10 New York Giants. Not only are the G-Men looking for their first road win of the season, but they're also hoping to snap a six-game losing streak. On the other side, the Pats are trying to win their tenth game in a row as they hope to keep pace with the Denver Broncos for first place in the AFC.

After missing the last two matchups, Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is set to return to the lineup now that he has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol. Dart is making his return on a huge stage, with this being his first-ever Monday Night Football game.

“I'm ready. I've been waiting for it,” he told reporters on November 28th. “Obviously, these primetime games are ones that you have circled on your calendar. I’m excited to go out there, go compete at a high level and do everything in my power to rally these guys, to put our team in the best situation - when the clock hits zero - that we're going to come out with a win.”

It has been another down year for the Giants, who have dismissed two key members of the coaching staff. Exactly two weeks after firing head coach Brian Daboll, Big Blue let go of defensive coordinator Shane Bowen following New York's 34-27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions.

“[We] made the tough decision today to let Shane go as our defensive coordinator effective immediately,” interim head coach Mike Kafka said on November 24th. “Obviously, these decisions aren't easy, and Shane's a good person. He's a good man. He's a good coach. The results just weren't where we wanted them to be… I just had an opportunity to watch the tape, look back at a few weeks, watch a lot of defense, watch a lot of what was kind of going on, the communication, and just felt like this was the right time to do it.”

Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen will be taking over as the Giants' defensive coordinator. The good news is that he already has the support of New York's defensive leader, Brian Burns, who ranks second in the NFL in sacks with 13 on the season.

“Charlie's a smart coach. I feel like he's been around a lot. He has a lot of experience,” Burns said last Tuesday. “He was under a great tree. And just talking ball with him every day, watching extensive film with him every day, I picked up on his football knowledge… They chose Charlie, and I'm grateful for that because me and him have a very, very tight relationship.”

The Patriots might be the hottest squad in the NFL right now. Last week, they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 26-20 to become the first team in the NFL this season to reach the ten-win mark. Even though Drake Maye threw an interception in that game, he still finished the day with 294 passing yards and a touchdown.

“That’s what this league's about: battling adversity,” Maye said during the Week 12 postgame press conference. “I gave ‘em one early in the game. Just battling back that next drive, and I'm just trying to be at a next-play mentality. That's what coach is preaching all the time. Battling back from good plays. Battling back from bad plays. [I’m] proud of our defense for stepping up. They stepped up big time. And, like I said, it's next man up. We had a lot of guys come in and play, make plays, and help us out… Just good to get a win and good to get that tenth win.”

Unfortunately, the Patriots didn't come out of that matchup unscathed. The fourth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and offensive lineman Will Campbell had to leave that contest with a knee injury and was placed on the injured reserve, meaning he will miss the next four games. Even though Campbell is incredibly valuable to the offensive line, it will take all five guys in the trenches playing together for the Pats to win tonight.

“I think the biggest thing for guys in this situation is just making sure that your wingman and you are on the same page at all times,” explained New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. “Whether that's the guard, the tight end beside you, whatever it is. It's not a solo situation for anybody out there, especially on the offensive line when you're working together with somebody on every play… We've got confidence in our group. That's the most important thing.”

It's no secret that Drake Maye has been playing at an MVP level this season, ranking in the top five in the league in passing yards (third), completion percentage (second), and passer rating (second). Regardless, he will need a little extra help tonight from his teammates with injuries along the offensive line, considering he is the fourth most-sacked quarterback in the NFL.

“Be decisive. Get open as fast as you can. Being decisive and being efficient, that's what a quarterback likes to see, especially a young quarterback,” said wide receiver Stefon Diggs. “He's had some games under his belt now, so he obviously knows what to anticipate and what to look for. So [we] look forward to the challenge for us, but we’ve got to be open, and we’ve got to catch the ball.”

Usually, the Patriots would have a lot of film to review for this matchup. However, the Giants will be playing just their third game under interim head coach Mike Kafka, which presents a unique challenge for New England.

“I think we'll have to be ready for anything that they could possibly do,” head coach Mike Vrabel said. ”It's flea flickers, reverses, fake punts. We have to be sound in all areas. Then, we'll have to defend, be prepared, and try to handle anything that they could do… Whether that's running inside zone or quarterback throw back. Whatever it may be, we'll have to be ready for it.”

Prediction for New York Giants @ New England Patriots (-7)

This feels like a trap game for the Patriots. They're going against a 2-10 team with an interim coach and a rookie quarterback at home. New England's makeshift offensive line will likely struggle against New York's impressive pass rushers. On top of that, the Pats haven't been great at defending against the pass this season since they rank 19th in passer rating allowed (93.9). The problem for Big Blue is that they're even worse at defending the pass (23rd in passer rating allowed). Plus, they have to go up against an MVP-level quarterback in Drake Maye. Jaxson Dart will use his arm and his legs to keep this game close, but the Pats will still find a way to win.

Prediction: Patriots 28 - 24 Giants

How to watch New York Giants @ New England Patriots (-7)

Giants @ Patriots starts at 8:15 p.m. EDT at Gillette Stadium. You can watch it on ESPN or ABC, or stream it via the ESPN app, Hulu, or YouTube TV.

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