The Patriots take on the Giants in Week 3 of the NFL preseason.
The preseason finale has arrived for the New England Patriots as they head to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Giants.
In the midst of a short week, the expectation based on Tuesday’s practice is that Drake Maye and the Patriots starters on both sides of the ball will not take the field. That turns the attention to those on the roster bubble just five days away from NFL cutdown day.
Follow along with us down below throughout the Thursday night action.
Live Score: Patriots 10 : 14 Giants
Thursday, August 21, 8 p.m. ET | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ | Broadcast Information | Players to watch | Patriots depth chart
First Quarter
The Patriots backup defense — outside of Keion White, Jabrill Peppers, Craig Woodson, and Alex Austin — started things out Thursday night, which put Giants first-round rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart on the field. On Dart’s second play of scrimmage, he stepped up to find a wide open Gunner Olszewski for a 50-yard catch-and-run. Facing third-down inside the 10-yard line, Dart found Greg Dulcich in the end zone for a score. [Patriots 0 : 7 Giants]
Ben Wooldridge drew the start at quarterback for the Patriots, but his first drive went nowhere as his third-down completion under pressure off the right side — where top pick Abdul Carter was working against Marcus Bryant and Sidy Sow on a stunt — to Jeremiah Webb was short of the sticks.
New York’s next drive resulted in a punt, as Dart moved the chains once before a third-down pass downfield fell to the turf.
Wooldridge’s next drive went nowhere again, as Marcus Bryant was flagged for an illegal formation penally before a third-down pass was batted at the line of scrimmage.
After an opening first-down on the ground, New England’s pass rush got home as Jack Gibbens cleaned up a sack off an initial Jeremiah Pharms pressure before Keion White drew a hold. Facing a third-and-24, Dart’s dump off was short of the sticks leading to a punt.
A 22-yard return by Jeremiah Webb set New England’s offense up over midfield. Three straight runs to JaMycal Hasty set up a fourth-and-one, where New England opted for a 49-yard field goal which Andy Borregales pushed wide right.
Taking over at their own 39-yard line following the miss, Dart’s second-down attempt was broken up by Marte Mapu before a third-down pass was dropped downfield. Keeping the offense on the field on fourth-down, Dart scrambled to move the chains but fumbled in the process — which was negated by a defensive holding on Jordan Polk. Exiting the game after taking a hit, Jameis Winston entered at quarterback and needed just one play to hit Jalin Hyatt for a 30-yard touchdown. [Patriots 0 : 14 Giants]
Second Quarter
Three straight Shane Watts carries picked up a first-down to start the Patriots next possession before an eventual run stuff helped set up a third-and-10. Just over midfield, Wooldridge’s pass to Javon Baker short of the sticks was dropped. Baker quickly made up for it by helping force a fumble on the ensuing punt by running his blocker into the returner to give New England the ball back outside the 10-yard line. On third-and-goal from the 12, Wooldridge’s pass slightly behind Baker fell incomplete. Borregales’ 30-yard attempt was then good. [Patriots 3 : 14 Giants]
Jameis Winston remained at quarterback for the Giants and converted a third-down through the air to Olszewski for 16 yards. Over midfield, Kyle Dugger helped set up a fourth-and-six where Jordan Polk was flagged for holding to move the chains. Eventually facing another fourth-and-short in the red area, Winston’s pass into the end zone overshot a receiver off a miscommunication and fell into the arms of Kyle Dugger.
Taking over after the interception, John Jiles converted a pair of third-downs through the air to move New England just shy of midfield. Once over the 50 following the two-minute warning, a completion Jeremiah Webb gained 17 yards before a strike to Phil Lutz picked up 12 more to move the ball to the 10-yard line. With nine seconds left, Wooldridge lofted a pass back to Webb who hauled it in for a touchdown. [Patriots 10 : 14 Giants]
Winston took a knee to end the half.
Third Quarter
Category: General Sports
