In 2019, "Thursday Night Football" generally features intriguing matchups, even if the quality of play takes a dip as a result of a short week for the participating. That's part of the reason the NFL can continue to get away with forcing teams to play a few days early each week. As long as fans care to scan their TV channels for "Thursday Night Football," the league will give the people what they want.
This week on "Thursday Night Football," the Patriots will host the Giants at Gillette Stadium in a game scheduled to kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Fox and NFL Network. And it arrives with a predictably history point spread for what's expected to be a lopsided matchup.
WEEK 6 NFL PICKS: Straight up | Against the spread
New England is entering Thursday night's game against New York as a 17-point favorite, per Sportsbook Review, meaning the Giants are the biggest underdogs they've ever been. New York's previous record spread as an underdog was 15.5 points (1980 and 1995). This is also the biggest spread for a "Thursday Night Football" game in NFL history.
Below is all the info you need to watch "Thursday Night Football" this week, including TV channel and kickoff time.
Who plays on Thursday Night Football tonight?
- New York Giants at New England Patriots
- Kickoff time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Sporting News predicted a Patriots victory (of course) in both our picks against the spread and our straight-up picks for Week 6, and in both picks, we have New England winning by 21 points and covering the spread. Below are the explanations.
Pick against the spread: The Giants will be without Saquon Barkley, Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard. Their remaining matchups against the Patriots' defense aren't good, and New York will be dependent on mostly chunk plays to move the ball. Tom Brady, meanwhile, can go to work against another awful secondary and put Daniel Jones in an uncomfortable catch-up position. (Pick: Patriots win 31-10 and cover the spread.)
Straight-up pick: This isn't the matchup Jones needs to reverse his downward trend after his breakout against Tampa Bay a few weeks ago. On the other hand, with the Giants unlikely to contend for anything postseason-related this year, a date with the Patriots — in Foxboro in front of a national audience, no less — is a good chance for the rookie quarterback to learn some valuable early-career lessons. Against New York's defense, Brady will gladly set an example for the youngster. (Pick: Patriots 34, Giants 13)
MORE: Full betting preview for Giants vs. Patriots
What channel is Thursday Night Football on?
- TV channel (national): NFL Network, Fox
- TV channel (Boston): WFXT
- TV channel (New York): WNYW
- Live stream: Amazon Prime
"Thursday Night Football" broadcast rights in 2019 are shared between Fox, NFL Network and Amazon Prime.
Thursday night games on Fox this season are called by the network's lead broadcast team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, sideline reporters Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink, and rules analyst Mike Pereira.
Andrea Kramer and Hannah Storm are the voices for Amazon Prime's broadcasts.
Thursday Night Football TV schedule for 2019
All "Thursday Night Football" games start at 8:20 p.m. ET.
| Week | Date | Matchup | TV channels |
| 4 | Sept. 26 | Eagles at Packers | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |
| 5 | Oct. 3 | Rams at Seahawks | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |
| 6 | Oct. 10 | Giants at Patriots | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |
| 7 | Oct. 17 | Chiefs at Broncos | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |
| 8 | Oct. 24 | Redskins at Vikings | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |
| 9 | Oct. 31 | 49ers at Cardinals | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |
| 10 | Nov. 7 | Chargers at Raiders | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |
| 11 | Nov. 14 | Steelers at Browns | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |
| 12 | Nov. 21 | Colts at Texans | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |
| 14 | Dec. 5 | Cowboys at Bears | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |
| 15 | Dec. 12 | Jets at Ravens | Fox, NFLN, Prime, fuboTV |