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The New England Patriots and New York Giants were afforded a rare opportunity on “Monday Night Football” in Week 13 – to see what life is like in an alternate timeline.
Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel’s Patriots took care of business against the Giants, securing their 11th win in a dominant, 33-15 effort. While the on-field results couldn’t be further apart, it’s a reminder of how fine the margins can be – and how closely connected these two teams are.
Vrabel coached circles around the skeleton staff that remains with the Giants, who are in another era of transition. However, it wasn’t long ago that the Patriots were in a similar spot.
New York famously wanted to trade up for Maye ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, but New England had no interest in moving the pick.
The Giants got a close look at what could’ve been in Foxborough to close out Week 13, but they also got a glimpse into what could be their future.
New England was dreadful in 2024, but it had a promising young quarterback and talent sprinkled throughout the roster. After a roster makeover and a newly installed coaching staff, the Patriots are back as contenders.
Evidence of that continues to mount, especially after Monday night’s contest was essentially over before the first quarter came to a close.
If the Giants look in a mirror, they’ll see what the Patriots saw. A promising young quarterback and a roster with talent sprinkled throughout.
Players are undoubtedly important, but the NFL is a coaching league. The difference between the Patriots and Giants is precisely that.
While New England waltzes into its bye week at 11-2 with the playoffs on their mind, the Giants head into their bye week at 2-11 with the offseason within reach.
For the Giants’ sake, at least the Patriots gave them the roadmap. Now it’s up to them to get off at the right exit.
Here’s how the action unfolded between the Patriots and Giants in Week 13. USA TODAY Sports provided highlights, analysis and more from the Week 13 "Monday Night Football" matchup below. All times are Eastern.
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Patriots vs. Giants MNF takeaways
- Coaching matters: If there were just one takeaway from Monday night’s game, it would be this. There isn’t a significant talent gap between most NFL teams, but some have a sizable coaching edge over others. That was on full display in the Patriots’ victory over the Giants. Mike Vrabel’s team is disciplined and hardly makes mistakes. The Giants do neither of those things. New England is an example of a team that elevates and gets the most out of its existing talent. New York does not. In many ways, coaching is the most important position in the sport – and they never get into the game.
- The Patriots are the complete package: If there were a checklist of things to determine whether an NFL team is a contender or not, there would be few, if any, things left off New England’s list. They have the coach. They have the quarterback. They have the offense. They have the defense. They have the special teams. The latter might be the weakest of all of them, but the Patriots will be a tough out in the postseason.
- Jaxson Dart won’t be long for the NFL if he doesn’t change: Dart was asked to avoid taking unnecessary hits. It appears the message wasn’t received. The rookie took a huge hit from Christian Elliss in the first quarter, which came just one drive after putting himself in a position for Harold Landry III to tee off. Modern medicine can do many things, but you still only get one brain. Dart needs to realize that sooner rather than later. If he does, he can be a star for years to come. If he doesn’t, he’ll be the latest young player to have his career cut short.
- Spending in free agency isn’t always a bad thing: It’s commonly believed that spending a lot in free agency doesn’t help. The Patriots are changing that narrative this year. As always, it’s not how much you spend, but how you spend it. New England did a masterful job of both. It spent a ton, but secured some solid pieces that are significant contributors this season. In a copycat league, it’s worth wondering if more teams will try to mirror the roster building that the Patriots did last offseason.
- The Giants are at a fork in the road: Despite what they showed on Monday night, the Giants have talent. The pieces are in place, but those pieces mean nothing if they don’t get the coaching hire right in the upcoming offseason. The coming months will determine whether the Giants return as a threat in the NFC or continue threatening for the top pick in the draft.
Drake Maye stats vs. Giants
- 24-of-31 (77.4% completion rate)
- 282 passing yards
- 2 passing touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 126.0 passer rating
- 6 rushing attempts
- 12 rushing yards
- 0 rushing touchdowns
Jaxson Dart stats vs. Patriots
- 17-of-24 (70.8% completion rate)
- 139 passing yards
- 1 passing touchdown
- 0 interceptions
- 99.1 passer rating
- 4 rushing attempts
- 20 rushing yards
- 0 rushing touchdowns
TreVeyon Henderson stats vs. Giants
- 11 rushing attempts
- 67 rushing yards
- 0 rushing touchdowns
- 3 reception (4 targets)
- 18 receiving yards
- 0 receiving touchdowns
Patriots vs. Giants highlights
Patriots vs. Giants final score: Patriots 33, Giants 15
Patriots vs. Giants score update: Borregales seals the deal
If there was any doubt left, Borregales took care of it. He adds another field goal, this time from 23 yards. There are just two minutes left in this one.
Patriots 33, Giants 15
Patriots vs. Giants score update: Devin Singletary cuts into the lead
The Giants have shown some signs of life to open the fourth quarter. Singletary found paydirt with a 22-yard rushing score. After a bit of razzle-dazzle, Dart found Slayton for a two-point conversion. Suddenly, it’s a two-possession game.
Patriots 30, Giants 15
End of the third quarter: Patriots remain in control
There was no scoring in the third quarter and New England will bring its 23-point lead to the final 15 minutes. That is all that separates the Patriots from entering the bye week with an 11-2 record.
Borregales misses field goal from 45
It has been an adventure in the kicking game tonight. Borregales, who has certainly been the better of the two, added a lowlight to his ledger with a kick that goes wide left from 45 yards out. The official scorer ruled that Roy Robertson-Harris blocked the field goal attempt and later adjusted and said the kick was not blocked. The Giants will take over possession.
Giants turnover on downs to open second half
The Giants have picked up where they left off. They turn the ball over on downs to begin the second half, walking away with nothing after working it into New England territory. Maye and the Patriots offense will take over with about 10 minutes to go in the third quarter.
Halftime: Patriots dominating at the break
If the NFL had a mercy rule, this game would’ve been over. They don’t, so we’ll continue for another half of what has been a complete domination by the Patriots. Mike Kafka’s Giants have been outclassed since the opening kickoff and trail by 23 at the break. If there is a miracle comeback attempt on the way, it’ll probably have to start when the Giants get the ball to start the second half. Given how this one has unfolded thus far, don’t hold your breath.
Patriots vs. Giants score update: Borregales with another FG to end the half
The Patriots had six possessions in the first half. They scored on five of them. The latest was a 28-yard field goal from Borregales, who pushes the lead to 23.
Patriots 30, Giants 7
Patriots vs. Giants score update: Borregales puts three more on the board
New England turned the kickoff fumble into three more, stretching the lead to 20 for the home side. This time, the rookie’s kick is good from 30 yards.
Patriots 27, Giants 7
Gunner Olszewski fumbles on kickoff, Patriots recover
Olszewski was blown up on the kickoff, losing a fumble on the play. New England has been laying some big hits tonight and this was just the latest. In fact, the returner was hit so hard that it just about took the logo off his helmet. Olszewski was helped to the sidelines and the Patriots take over again.
Patriots vs. Giants score update: Kyle Williams' TD extends the lead
Offense isn’t in short supply tonight. The rookie Williams gets in on the action with a 33-yard touchdown from Maye, pushing the New England lead back to 17.
Patriots 24, Giants 7
Younghoe Koo failed FG attempt
Swing and a miss, literally. This game has a little bit of everything for the fans and Koo just did something that typically never happens in professional football. Lining up for a field goal attempt, Koo’s foot never got to the ball.
Not because it was blocked. Not because of a fumbled snap. It was because he stubbed his foot in the ground before it got to the ball. Seeing is believing and you’ll want to take a look at this one.
Abdul Carter checks into the game
After sitting out the first quarter for what was called a “coach’s decision,” Carter has entered the contest early in the second quarter. It isn’t clear what the reason is behind that benching, but this isn’t the first time Carter has been disciplined by the Giants in his rookie season.
Patriots-Giants score update: Darius Slayton gets New York on the board
For the first time tonight, there is a positive update for something the Giants did on the field. Dart connected with Slayton for a 30-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 10. The game is still early in the second quarter, so there is plenty of time left if the G-Men can find some more answers.
Patriots 17, Giants 7
Patriots vs. Giants score update: Patriots pour it on with Boutte TD
New England wasted no time scoring its second touchdown of the game. Drake Maye connected with Hunter Henry for 36 yards to get the Patriots inside the 5-yard line. On the next play, Maye hit Kayshon Boutte in the right corner of the end zone. Borregales came on and hit the extra point to put the Patriots up three scores before the end of the first quarter.
Patriots 17, Giants 0
Jaxson Dart takes huge hit, fight ensues
The Giants' rookie QB scrambled to the right sideline for 15 yards, but before he got out of bounds, he was hit hard by Patriots LB Christian Elliss. A fight ensued on the sideline, with pushing and shoving, as Giants teammates ran in to protect their young QB.
A personal foul penalty is issued to Theo Johnson and the Giants punted the ball away on fourth down.
Patriots vs. Giants score update: Marcus Jones punt return TD stretches the lead
Teams spend all week trying to find the perfect game plan. The Giants just saw their plan fail miserably before playing 10 minutes. After an uneventful series on offense from Dart and co., Jones returned the punt 94 yards for a Patriots touchdown. New York will now try to answer and stop the bleeding.
Patriots 10, Giants 0
Who is the Giants defensive coordinator?
Charlie Bullen was named the Giants' interim defensive coordinator after the team fired Shane Bowen. New York’s defense has been a concern all season after losing various double-digit leads.
Bowen was dismissed following the Giants’ latest meltdown in Week 12 against the Detroit Lions. Bullen joined the Giants as an outside linebackers coach ahead of the 2024 season.
Who is the Giants head coach?
Mike Kafka was named the interim head coach following Daboll’s firing. He has been the Giants’ offensive coordinator since 2022. Before joining the Giants, he was part of the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff as a quarterbacks coach.
Kafka made stops with six teams as a player after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
When did the Giants fire Brian Daboll?
The Giants fired Daboll on Nov. 10, moving on after the team’s Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears. It was yet another contest in which the team lost a late lead on the scoreboard, squandering a 10-point fourth-quarter advantage with under four minutes to go.
Patriots vs. Giants score update: Andy Borregales gets New England on the board
The Patriots had a great kickoff return to get things started, but wasted the opportunity. After starting at around midfield, New England settles for a 22-yard field goal from the rookie. Next up, we’ll see Jaxson Dart and the Giants’ offense.
Patriots 3, Giants 0
What channel is Patriots vs. Giants on Monday Night Football?
- TV channel: ESPN | ESPN2 (Manningcast)
The Week 13 "Monday Night Football" matchup will air on ESPN. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be on the call, with Lisa Salters providing sideline updates and reports.
The "Manningcast," hosted by Peyton and Eli Manning, will air on ESPN2.
What time is Giants at Patriots game tonight?
- Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
The Giants and Patriots are set for an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. The Giants travel to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, for the matchup.
Patriots vs. Giants live stream
- Live stream: Fubo | ESPN Select | ESPN Unlimited | NFL+
Cord-cutters looking to live stream "MNF" in Week 13 have a few options. Fubo carries the ESPN family of networks, as well as CBS, Fox, ABC and the NFL Network, meaning you'll be able to catch NFL action all season long with the streaming service. Fubo also offers a free trial.
ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited, the World Wide Leader's streaming service, will also carry the game.
Watch "Monday Night Football" all season with Fubo (free trial)
Patriots vs. Giants predictions
Here's how the expert NFL panel at USA TODAY Sports feels the "MNF" game between the Giants and Patriots will tilt:
- Jarrett Bell: Patriots, 28-24
- Nick Brinkerhoff: Patriots, 31-23
- Chris Bumbaca: Patriots, 30-28
- Nate Davis: Patriots, 33-24
- Tyler Dragon: Patriots, 30-20
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Patriots, 26-21
Patriots vs. Giants odds, moneyline, O/U
National Football League odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds updated Sunday at 7:28 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
- Spread favorite: Patriots (-7.5)
- Moneyline: Patriots (-375), Giants (+300)
- Total: 46.5 points
Patriots inactives vs. Giants
- QB Tommy DeVito (emergency third QB)
- LG Jared Wilson
- S/ST Brenden Schooler
- OT Marcus Bryant
- OLB Bradyn Swinson
- TE CJ Dippre
- DT Khyiris Tonga
Giants inactives vs. Patriots
- QB Russell Wilson (emergency third QB)
- OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
- WR Jalin Hyatt
- ILB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
- CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
- OLB Victor Dimukeje
- OT James Hudson III
Patriots vs. Giants injury report
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AFC East standings
The Patriots lead the AFC East standings, but the Bills are still in the hunt for the top spot. Here's how the AFC East standings look entering "Monday Night Football" in Week 13:
- New England Patriots (10-2)
- Buffalo Bills (8-4)
- Miami Dolphins (5-7)
- New York Jets (3-9)
NFC East standings
The Giants are in last place in the NFC East standings.
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
- Washington Commanders (3-9)
- New York Giants (2-10)
NFL playoff picture: AFC bracket
- Denver Broncos (10-2; AFC West leaders)
- New England Patriots (10-2; AFC East leaders)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4, AFC South leaders)
- Baltimore Ravens (6-6; AFC North leaders)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4, wild card No. 1)
- Indianapolis Colts (8-4; wild card No. 2)
- Buffalo Bills (8-4, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Houston Texans (7-5); Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6); Kansas City Chiefs (6-6); Miami Dolphins (5-7); Cincinnati Bengals (4-8); New York Jets (3-9); Cleveland Browns (3-9)
Eliminated: Las Vegas Raiders (2-10); Tennessee Titans (1-11)
NFL playoff picture: NFC bracket
Here's how the NFC playoff bracket looks entering "Monday Night Football" in Week 13:
- Chicago Bears (9-3; NFC North leaders)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-3; NFC West leaders)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4; NFC East leaders)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5; NFC South leaders)
- Seattle Seahawks (9-3, wild card No. 1)
- Green Bay Packers (8-3-1, wild card No. 2)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Detroit Lions (7-5); Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1); Carolina Panthers (7-6); Atlanta Falcons (4-8); Minnesota Vikings (4-8); Washington Commanders (3-9)
Eliminated: Arizona Cardinals (3-9), New Orleans Saints (2-10), New York Giants (2-10)
Super Bowl odds 2026
All odds listed are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook on Dec. 1. Access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a complete list.
- 1. Los Angeles Rams: (+475)
- 2. Seattle Seahawks: (+850)
- 3. Philadelphia Eagles: (+900)
- T-4. Buffalo Bills: (+1000)
- T-4. Green Bay Packers: (+1000)
- 6. Denver Broncos: (+1100)
- 7. New England Patriots: (+1200)
- 8. Indianapolis Colts: (+1400)
- T-9. Baltimore Ravens: (+1600)
- T-9. Kansas City Chiefs: (+1600)
- 11. Detroit Lions: (+2000)
- 12. San Francisco 49ers: (+2500)
- T-13. Chicago Bears: (+3000)
- T-13. Houston Texans: (+3000)
- 15. Los Angeles Chargers: (+3500)
- T-16. Jacksonville Jaguars: (+4000)
- T-16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (+4000)
- 18. Dallas Cowboys: (+6000)
- 19. Pittsburgh Steelers: (+15000)
- 20. Cincinnati Bengals: (+20000)
- 21. Carolina Panthers: (+25000)
- 22. Miami Dolphins: (+75000)
- T-23. Atlanta Falcons: (+150000)
- T-23. Cleveland Browns: (+150000)
- T-23. Minnesota Vikings: (+150000)
- T-23. New York Jets: (+150000)
- T-23. Washington Commanders: (+150000)
Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins?
The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six.
Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups.
2026 NFL Draft order
Here's how next year's first-round order looks entering "Monday Night Football" in Week 13, according to Tankathon.com, which computes strength of schedule differently from the NFL:
- Tennessee Titans: 1-11 record; .571 strength of schedule
- New Orleans Saints: 2-10; .502 SOS
- New York Giants: 2-10; .539 SOS
- Las Vegas Raiders 2-10; .556 SOS
- Cleveland Browns: 3-9; .480 SOS
- Washington Commanders: 3-9; .517 SOS
- New York Jets: 3-9; .534 SOS
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-9; .565 SOS
- Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 4-8; .498 SOS
- Cincinnati Bengals: 4-8; .517 SOS
- Minnesota Vikings: 4-8; .532 SOS
- Miami Dolphins: 5-7; .488 SOS
- Kansas City Chiefs: 6-6; .512 SOS
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 6-6; .517 SOS
- Carolina Panthers: 7-6; .512 SOS
- Dallas Cowboys: 6-5-1; .456 SOS
- Detroit Lions: 7-5; .507 SOS
- Houston Texans: 7-5; .541 SOS
- Baltimore Ravens: 6-6; .502 SOS
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-5; .502 SOS
- Buffalo Bills: 8-4; .468 SOS
- Philadelphia Eagles: 8-4; .498 SOS
- Indianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-4; .502 SOS
- San Francisco 49ers: 9-4; .488 SOS
- Los Angeles Chargers: 8-4; .463 SOS
- Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 8-4; .495 SOS
- Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 8-3-1; .480 SOS
- Seattle Seahawks: 9-3; .478 SOS
- Los Angeles Rams: 9-3; .517 SOS
- New England Patriots: 10-2; .371 SOS
- Chicago Bears: 9-3; .441 SOS
- Denver Broncos: 10-2; .446 SOS
Is Jaxson Dart playing tonight vs. Patriots?
Yes. Dart will make his first start since Week 10. The Giants' rookie will make his eighth career start tonight.
Cam Skattebo injury update
Skattebo will not be returning to the field in 2025. He is expected to miss the rest of the season as he recovers from surgery to repair his dislocated ankle, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. Skattebo is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 months after his ankle injury and surgery. That will allow the 23-year-old to return for the team's offseason program and put him on track to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Malik Nabers injury update
Nabers will miss the remainder of the 2025 season after he tore his ACL and meniscus in Week 4. The second-year receiver's injury occurred early enough in the season to project a return by the beginning of the 2026 season.
The 2024 first-round pick totaled 127 catches for 1,475 yards and nine touchdowns. His 107 receptions last year led all rookie wide receivers, and his 1,204 yards were second among all first-year wide receivers.
NFL MVP odds: Drake Maye among favorites
All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook on Dec. 1
- QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (+105)
- QB Drake Maye, New England Patriots (+120)
- QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (+1100)
- QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (+1500)
- QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+1800)
- QB Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (+4000)
- 7. QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+5000)
- 8. QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (+6000)
- T-9. RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (+7500)
- T-9. QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (+7500)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patriots vs. Giants highlights, takeaways: New England notches 10th straight win
Reporting by Joe Rivera, Tom Viera and Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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