In two Super Bowl appearances against the Giants, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was harassed by their pass rush on the way to close losses that have kept the Patriots’ run of success over the last 15 years from being even more impressive.
This year’s Giants team doesn’t seem particularly well-positioned to create the same kinds of problems for Brady when the teams square off at the Meadowlands on Sunday afternoon. Their nine sacks rank last in the NFL and the return of Jason Pierre-Paul last Sunday didn’t help them add to that total against the Buccaneers.
Pierre-Paul did create some pressure on Jameis Winston, though, and he thinks that his second week back in action will bring more success individually and as a team.
“They’re undefeated, but they have to come through here,” Pierre-Paul said, via ESPN.com. “We’ll get to the quarterback. I’m sure of it. I know I will.”
Despite that confidence, Pierre-Paul isn’t overlooking the fact that Brady has been tough to beat this season even during weeks when defenses have been able to put some pressure on him.
“You don’t know. He might have an off game,” Pierre-Paul said. “He might be sick. You don’t know. Anything can happen. I hope he’s sick. That would be better for us.”
Indeed it would be, but there’s no sign of illness in New England at this point so chances are good that they’ll have to take their chances against a healthy quarterback come Sunday. As mentioned, they’ve done well in that situation in the past and they’ll try to do the same without a Lombardi Trophy on the line.