The NFL’s best team heads into Monday night not in celebration mode, but in survival mode. The New England Patriots (10–2), owners of the league’s top record and winners of nine straight, travel to face the struggling New York Giants (2–10) with a bye week and a potential 10th consecutive victory within reach. But despite the lopsided records, the Patriots are making it clear: nothing about this matchup feels automatic.
A major reason for New England’s caution comes from an unlikely source—the offensive line, which has been one of the NFL’s most durable and dependable units all season. That stability was shaken last week.
Rookie left tackle Will Campbell exited the win over Cincinnati with a knee injury that has since placed him on injured reserve. Left guard Jared Wilson will also miss Monday’s contest due to an ankle injury. Until now, Campbell, Wilson, center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Mike Onwenu, and right tackle Morgan Moses had started 11 of New England’s first 12 games, forming one of the league’s most cohesive fronts.
With the two left-side starters sidelined, the Patriots will again turn to Vederian Lowe at left tackle and Ben Brown at left guard— the same tandem that finished last week’s game. Lowe started 13 games for New England last season, while Brown made 10 starts at center in 2024, giving the Patriots a level of experience many teams lack in reserve linemen. Tackle Marcus Bryant, who has appeared in all 12 contests, is expected to rotate in as needed.
Still, the disruption has been noticeable, and quarterback Drake Maye acknowledged several misfires in last week’s 26–20 win, including a failed fourth-quarter QB sneak on third-and-short.
The Giants enter on a six-game losing streak, but there is at least some sense of forward momentum under interim head coach Mike Kafka. New York is coming off a 34–27 overtime loss to Detroit, a game in which they led 27–17 with 12 minutes remaining before becoming just the third team in NFL history to blow five double-digit leads in a season.
That collapse cost defensive coordinator Shane Bowen his job. Kafka promoted outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen to run the defense on an interim basis and hinted that “a few new wrinkles” may surface Monday night.
The offense should also get a boost: rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is expected to return after missing two games due to a concussion suffered Nov. 9 in Chicago. Although still technically in the protocol early in the week, he was a full participant in the Giants’ first walkthrough, and teammates say he has remained fully engaged.
Veteran Jameis Winston, who played in Dart’s absence, wasn’t sacked until the final play of last weekend’s game—a testament to a surprisingly effective offensive line. Despite the team’s struggles, New York ranks ninth in rushing and has protected its quarterbacks better than anticipated.
Patriots’ reshuffled offensive line vs. Giants’ defensive adjustments. With two new starters on the left side of New England’s line and a new coordinator calling New York’s defense, the matchup in the trenches could shape the night.
Jaxson Dart’s return. If cleared, Dart brings mobility and playmaking that Winston cannot replicate, potentially challenging a Patriots defense that has thrived during the win streak.
Giants’ late-game demons. New York has made NFL history for all the wrong reasons, tying the record for most blown 10-point leads in a season. Can they finally finish?
Drake Maye’s quest for cleaner execution. Maye has been efficient but knows he left plays on the field last week. With the line in flux, his pocket awareness and decision-making will be tested.
The Patriots have every statistical and structural advantage, but the injuries along the offensive line and the uncertainty surrounding New York’s defensive overhaul introduce variables that could make Monday night more competitive than the records suggest.
New England is one win away from its 10th straight victory and a well-earned bye. The Giants, meanwhile, are simply looking for something—anything—to build on.
Both teams may find their answers under the Monday night lights.
