Stefon Diggs won’t let the New England Patriots fall victim to the trap game when they host the New York Giants on “Monday Night Football.”
While the 10-2 Patriots are competing for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the 2-10 Giants are already mathematically out of playoff contention. It’s a one-sided matchup on paper, but Diggs isn’t taking the opposition lightly.
According to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, New England’s star wide receiver praised New York’s defense before the Week 13 game.
“We have to prepare the right way because this is a very good defense and everybody knows that,” Diggs said. “Everyone in the league has seen it.”
Perhaps Diggs is provoking the opposition through flattery. After all, the Giants enter Monday’s game ranked 30th in yards allowed (385.0) and points allowed per game (27.8).
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New York’s ground is particularly anemic, allowing an NFL-worst 157.2 rushing yards per game and 5.9 yards per carry. Monday is a golden opportunity for Trevion Henderson and Raimondre Stevenson to prove they can form a dynamic backfield duo.
The Giants have not lived up to Diggs’ praise while allowing five double-digit leads this season. They suffered a 34–27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 12 after squandering a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Yet Diggs isn’t ignoring the unit led by Brian Burns, who has 13 sacks and two forced fumbles this season. Kayvon Thibodeaux will miss Monday’s game with a shoulder injury, but the Giants may finally get more pass-rushing help from No. 3 pick Abdul Carter.
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The primetime matchup begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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