The New England Patriots cruised to a 33-15 win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, and while the scoreboard didn’t offer much suspense, the night was anything but uneventful-especially for a Giants team that’s now staring down a season that’s spiraling fast.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Patriots looked comfortable from the jump. Their offense moved with rhythm, their defense kept the Giants off balance, and they played like a team that knew exactly who they were.
New England’s decision to invest in the trenches with the No. 4 overall pick-selecting left tackle Will Campbell-continues to pay dividends. Campbell’s protection helped stabilize the offense, giving the Patriots a clean pocket and a clear path to victory.
On the other side of the field, the Giants are dealing with more than just a loss. The team made waves early in the game by benching rookie pass rusher Abdul Carter-for the second time in three weeks-due to disciplinary reasons. That’s not the kind of headline you want surrounding your No. 3 overall pick.
Carter did eventually see the field, and he made his presence known by recording the first sack of his NFL career. But the moment felt more like damage control than a breakout. The sack was a flash of the potential that made Carter a top-three pick, but it also came in a game where the bigger story was his absence at the start.
After the game, Giants general manager Joe Schoen addressed the situation, offering some insight into the team’s mindset. “Abdul Carter is smart and understands the magnitude of his actions and also understands what it means to be a pro,” Schoen said.
“These kids are 21 years old and they’re thrust in the spotlight in New York City. It’s not always going to be perfect.”
That’s a fair point. The NFL can be a tough adjustment for any rookie, especially when you’re playing in a market like New York and carrying the expectations of a top-three draft pick. But patience has limits, and right now, Carter’s rookie season has been more about headlines than highlights.
It’s still early in his career-there’s no question Carter has the tools to become a difference-maker-but the Giants need more than potential right now. They need stability, leadership, and production. And Monday night’s loss didn’t offer much of any of that.
As for the Patriots, they’re walking away from this one with momentum and a clearer sense of identity. Their young cornerstone at left tackle looks like a long-term answer, and the team is playing with a confidence that suggests they’re building something sustainable.
For the Giants, though, this game might be remembered as the moment things officially came undone. A team that came into the season with high hopes is now facing serious questions-about their locker room, their leadership, and the direction of the franchise. And while Abdul Carter’s story is still being written, the early chapters have been anything but smooth.