The Patriots are flying high right now. They’ve got the best record in the NFL, haven’t lost a game in two months, and all they have to do this week is face one of the league’s worst teams before their bye week. They’re looking to notch their 10th straight win.

But the Patriots (10-2) are not taking the New York Giants (2-10) lightly, even with that kind of streak.

A big reason why is the Patriots will be missing two starters on their usually rock-solid offensive line. Rookie left tackle Will Campbell injured his knee last week against Cincinnati and is now on injured reserve. Left guard Jared Wilson is also out this week with an ankle injury.

This line, Campbell, Wilson, center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Mike Onwenu, and right tackle Morgan Moses, has been pretty consistent, starting together in 11 of the first 12 games. The only change was in Week 4 when Ben Brown stepped in for Wilson, who was dealing with both ankle and knee issues.

Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs knows this Giants defense is no joke. “We’ve got to prepare the right way because this is a damn good defense and everybody knows it,” he said. “Everybody in the league has seen it. They were just in a dogfight last week with a real good team. It’s going to be key for us being on the top of our game.”

The Giants aren’t having a great season, they’ve lost their last six games, but under interim coach Mike Kafka, they’ve started to show some signs of life over the last couple of weeks. They just lost in overtime 34-27 to the Detroit Lions, but some changes are coming. Kafka fired former defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and made outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen the interim DC.

Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is also expected to return after missing two games because of a concussion on November 9 against Chicago. Dart was still in concussion protocol at the start of the week but was able to fully participate in practice. Kafka said a final decision of his availability was still pending.

Giants receiver Wan’Dale Robinson said Dart stayed involved even while sidelined. “He’s preparing each and every day,” Robinson said. “Even whenever he was announced that he wasn’t playing, he was still acting like he was preparing to play. I just think that just goes to show his maturity and him just being a pro.”

New York Giants’ Keys to Winning

Jaxson Dart likely will be back for the Patriots game, but his status hinges on getting cleared from concussion protocol. If not, Jameis Winston will start for the third straight week.

The Giants’ defense is a big question mark with the change at coordinator. This will be Charlie Bullen’s first game calling the shots. Brian Burns, their star pass rusher, already has 13 sacks this season, his career high. The team needs more from everyone else on defense, and it will be interesting to see if Bullen shakes things up with a new game plan. Last week, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott shadowed Lions’ top receiver Jameson Williams, who was held without a catch.

New England Patriots’ Keys to Winning

Quarterback Drake Maye threw for 294 yards in a 26-20 win over the Bengals, completing 22 of 35 passes with one touchdown and one interception. While the Giants’ defensive front can cause problems, the Patriots will need to work around the absence of Will Campbell and Jared Wilson up front. Expect the Giants to target that weakened side.

The Giants have struggled defending the run all year, so watch for running back TreVeyon Henderson to try and do what Jahmyr Gibbs did against them. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs and tight end Hunter Henry are key weapons for Maye to connect with.

Wilson Pick Focus: New York Giants @ New England Patriots (Patriots -7.5, Over 46.5, -112)

I’m leaning Patriots -7.5 and the Over 46.5 because everything about this matchup points to New England controlling the game while both offenses put points on the board. The Giants haven’t won a road game all season (12 straight losses), and New England is rolling behind Drake Maye, who leads the league in adjusted EPA per play and completion percentage during this nine-game win streak. Maye is pushing himself into the MVP conversation with 3,130 yards and 21 touchdowns through 11 games, and this Patriots offense ranks sixth in total EPA while sitting second in passing efficiency. With that kind of rhythm, I expect them to move the ball consistently.

The Giants come in with the opposite momentum. The loss to Detroit, where the defense crumbled and ultimately cost defensive coordinator Shane Bowen his job, reinforces their inconsistency. Even with that shake-up, the matchup still leans heavily New England’s way, especially since Jaxson Dart is questionable (concussion). However, if he plays, New York still has enough juice to score; Dart ranks ninth in EPA per play, pushes the ball downfield, and has multiple touchdowns in every start he’s made.

This total sitting under the key number of 47 makes me lean toward the Over. Six of New York’s last seven have gone over, and four of the Patriots’ last six have too. The key is the Patriots’ red zone flaw: they still allow opponents to score touchdowns on over 73% of trips inside the 20. New England has scored 24-plus in seven straight games, and the Giants’ improved offense should hold up its end of the bargain against this red zone vulnerability.

With Maye playing like one of the best quarterbacks in football, New England’s defense trending up, and the Giants still searching for consistency, I’m rolling with Patriots -7.5 and Over 46.5. Back the red-hot, nine-time straight winner at Bankroll U now!

Giants vs. Patriots: Game Info

• Date: Monday, December 1  
• Time: 8:15 p.m.  
• Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts