Drew Bledsoe's Pats have shown a flair for the dramatic.

Giants (1-1) at Patriots (2-0)
8:20 p.m. ET, ESPN
Line: Patriots by 6
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Why to watch:
Because if the Patriots are playing, there's sure to be drama. New England has earned both its '99 victories on last-second field goals, including last week's dramatic rally from a 28-7 halftime deficit for a 31-28 victory over the Colts. The Pats, who have been outscored 44-12 in the first half this season, will try to start a little faster this week. The Giants, meanwhile, are struggling offensively -- which really isn't a surprise. The surprise comes on defense, where New York allowed 50 points last week after opening the season with an outstanding defensive effort at Tampa Bay. The Big Blue will need to shore up those holes this week against Drew Bledsoe and Co.

Who to watch:
Giants WRs Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard both topped the 100-yard mark last week. The problem for New York is the running game, where RBs Sean Bennett, LeShon Johnson and Charles Way have struggled to get anything going. Giants QB Kent Graham will throw against a New England defense that's already made five interceptions. Patriots WR Terry Glenn has caught 14 passes for 235 yards this season. Pats QB Drew Bledsoe is off to a great start, completing 64 percent of his passes with five TDs and only one interception. Pats RB Terry Allen is taking over the featured back's role.

Giants' numbers to know:
In allowing 50 points to Washington last week, New York gave up its most points in a game in 33 years.

Patriots' numbers to know:
Bledsoe has led the Patriots to fourth-quarter comebacks in four of the last five regular-season games he has started.

What it means:
New England can take over sole possession of first place in the AFC East from idle Miami (2-0). The Patriots can also prove that their 2-0 start is no fluke. As for the Giants, they need to bounce back in a big way after getting clocked pretty good last week by the Redskins. After the trip to Foxboro, New York plays three of its next four games at home, so a victory here might start a winning streak.

Sean Salisbury's breakdown
Giants' game plan:
There's talk that running back Gary Brown might return from a sprained knee ligament this week. If Brown plays, that will should be a huge boost for the Giants. But my gripe about the Giants doesn't concern their running game, which is ranked 30th in the league. They need to challenge teams vertically.

New York's receivers -- Ike Hilliard, Amani Toomer and Joe Jurevicius -- are pretty good. They can run and stretch the field. The Giants will have to score to keep pace with the Patriots. Kent Graham has a strong arm and needs to use it.

Jim Fassel must take some smart chances and let the receivers make plays. Depending on Brown's health, the Giants need to throw to set up the run. It might take throwing the ball 35 times to push the ball down the field.

The Giants can't expect to score 14 points and win against New England. And if they choose to run the ball, the Giants will have to win the time-of-possession battle about 40 minutes to 20. It might seem like a good idea for the Giants to run the ball and consume time, but they need to take some chances downfield to put points on the board.

The Giants defense needs to get Jason Sehorn in the action and make sure he's healthy. They need to make the Patriots run the ball, something the Giants can stop. They don't need to do anything tricky to stop New England from running the ball. I like Terry Allen as a running back, but the Giants are good enough on defense with Michael Strahan and Jessie Armstead and company to give defensive coordinator John Fox some freedom.

The Giants need to do everything they can to pressure Drew Bledsoe and mix coverages. If they can stop the pass, they can stop New England. The Patriots offensive line has been weakened by injury, especially to right tackle Zefross Moss, who would be blocking Strahan. So if the Patriots have to double-team Strahan, maybe using a back, and Sehorn can take away a receiver, that would free up other defenders to cover the field and take away Bledsoe's passing options.

Patriots' game plan:
The Pats know the Giants are capable of stopping the run, and they must contain Strahan. Tight end Ben Coates has to become a factor over the middle, forcing the Giants to cover the entire field instead of just the outside. Also, the Patriots know their third receiver will usually be better than the Giants' third cornerback. They will motion a receiver so he can get a free release against a cornerback like Sehorn who might want to get physical.

New England offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese would like to run the football, but the Patriots are one of the few NFL teams that can throw 45 times and still win. As they showed last week against the Colts, the Patriots' passing ability enables them to play catch-up football. Bledsoe is feeling great right now, and he's spreading the ball around, hitting 10 receivers last week. The Patriots have one of the deepest receiving units in football. So Bledsoe will throw and keep on throwing because it's their strength.

Without Ted Johnson, the Patriots still have a pretty good defense, with players like Ty Law, Willie McGinest and Lawyer Milloy. The Patriots will bring the pressure against Graham, using McGinest on a wide pass rush. If the Patriots can win first down, putting the Giants in long-yardage situations all game, they can tee off on Graham with a variety of blitzes.

While the Giants might need to challenge the Patriots cornerbacks, that is what New England wants. That scenario would provide more opportunities for McGinest to force a turnover. Until the Giants can prove they can beat the blitz and man coverage, the Patriots will keep coming and try to get Graham to throw prematurely.

Pivotal Player:
Sehorn. Can he play or is he still hurt? If he can play at full speed, he can defend Terry Glenn, the Patriots' best receiving weapon. Sehorn's presence would allow Fox to do some different things to combat the Patriots' passing attack.