Giants vs. Bears 2016, Week 11: Giants heavily favored to beat Chicago

The streaking New York Giants (6-3), winners of four straight games, host the 2-7 Chicago Bears Sunday at MetLife Stadium (1 p.m. ET/FOX). Depending what betting service you use, the Giants are anywhere from a 7- to a 9-point favorite. Let’s take our first look at Sunday’s matchup.

On paper, of course, this is a game the Giants should win. They are at home where they are 4-1 this season, and finishing off a three-game homestand. They have those four consecutive victories. The Bears have lost three of four, only the Los Angeles Rams have scored fewer points, top wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey has been suspended by the NFL for four games for a PED violation, there is the annual angst about Jay Cutler and questions about the future of head coach John Fox.

Giants’ coach Ben McAdoo was asked questions earlier this week about the Giants’ playoff chances. He deflected, focusing instead on the Bears.

“I know this; I’m sitting here talking to you when we have a lot of preparation to get done for Chicago. That’s what I’m focused on right now. We have to get ready for Chicago,” McAdoo said. “This is the National Football League. You have to prepare your best for the highest level. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. Throw all the records out the window. Anyone can beat anyone, anywhere in this league.”

Let’s take a look at a few things to know heading into Sunday’s matchup.

• At 4-1 this season at MetLife Stadium, the Giants have already surpassed their home victory total from each of the past two seasons. They were 3-5 at MetLife in 2014 and 2015.
• The Giants have not won five straight games since the 2010 season.
• A win would give the Giants their best start to a season since they went 9-1 in 2008.
• The Giants’ six victories have been by a total of 21 points. It’s the first time in their history the Giants won by a combined 21 or fewer points over a six-victory span in a single season.
• When Jerell Adams caught a touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday the Giants became the only team this season to have three rookies with touchdown receptions. Adams joined Sterling Shepard and Roger Lewis Jr.
• Bears rookie linebacker Leonard Floyd will be a big topic of discussion this week. The Bears, of course, jumped one spot in front of the Giants in the 2016 NFL Draft to select Floyd, the player many thought the Giants wanted. Floyd has five sacks so far this season, most among rookies.
• Giants’ placekicker Robbie Gould, picked up midseason to replace Josh Brown, spent the first 11 seasons of his NFL career with the Bears.
• Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning needs 336 yards to pass Hall of Famer and former Giant Fran Tarkenton for eighth-most passing yards in NFL history.