Tom Brady
Tom Brady leads the NFL in touchdown passes (22). Getty

In a matchup of first place teams, the New England Patriots (8-0) put their undefeated record on the line when they visit the New York Giants (5-4) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The Patriots have won 11 straight dating back to Week 17 of the 2014 regular season and a win secures a 15th straight winning season for Bill Belichick’s group. New York is looking to win consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 4 and 5.

Tom Brady has been in MVP form, posting a league-leading 22 touchdowns and throwing just two interceptions while leading the NFL’s most prolific scoring offense (34.5 points per game). Brady is completing 68.6 percent of his passes and possesses a 113.5 quarterback rating, the highest among starters. Brady completed 29-of-39 passes for 299 yards and two scores last week in a 27-10 win over Washington.

Four of those passes went to Rob Gronkowski, who ranks No. 2 among tight ends in receptions and touchdowns. Gronkowski could see plenty of targets today going up against a Giants defense that allows the most yards per game in football (422.6) and has trouble covering the tight end. New York is allowing the second-most yards to tight ends (77.9) while Gronkowski has gone over 100 yards receiving four times this year.

The Giants rank No. 19 in scoring defense (25.1) but lead the NFL in takeaways (21) and turnover differential (plus-12) this season. The Patriots have committed the fewest turnovers (5) this season. To make things more difficult for Big Blue, cornerback Prince Amukamara will miss his fifth straight game recovering from a pectoral injury.

After a career-high six touchdowns in Week 9, Eli Manning went 26-for-40 for 213 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 32-18 win over the Bucs. Manning has thrown just six interceptions to go with 19 touchdowns through nine games and is on pace for the highest touchdown total of his career. He leads a Giants offense that ranks No. 20 in yards per game (349.7) and No. 5 in scoring (27.4).

Odell Beckham Jr. accounts for seven of those touchdowns and leads the team in receiving scores. Beckham was targeted a season-high 17 times last week, pulling in nine balls for 109 yards, his fourth game eclipsing the century mark this season.

New England ranks No. 16 in passing defense (244.8 yards per game) but is No. 3 in rush yards allowed (89.3), against a Giants team that is currently No. 24 in rushing yards per game (96.7).

Start Time: 4:25 p.m.

Betting Line: New England -7

Over/Under: 54 points

TV Channel: CBS

*All odds and totals courtesy of Sportsbook.ag

NFL