The New York Giants (4-0) finished off the 2019 NFL preseason in Foxborough against the New England Patriots on Thursday night — the final game action for all but 53 players for a while as roster cuts are due Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The Giants have three dozen roster decisions to make before then and some of those will not be easy ones.
Injuries, however, could make some of those decisions easier. The Giants had a half-dozen players leave the game and not return (see below).
Both teams held out most of their starters to give the coaches an extended look at the backups, many who needed stellar showings in order to secure a roster spot.
Rookie quarterback Daniel Jones started behind the second-team offensive line and continued his stellar play hitting all four of his attempts for 47 yards. The Giants did not score on the drive, handing the ball over on downs after two failed running attempts on third-and-one and then fourth-and-one by running back Paul Perkins.
Wide receiver Golden Tate, facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s PED policy, started since he won’t play in another game until Week 5. Tate had two grabs on the Giants’ first series from Jones, one a pretty pass on an outside post where the rookie dropped in right into Tate’s outstretched hands for a 23-yard gain.
The third-string quarterback position appears to have been won by Kyle Lauletta. Alex Tanney had a su bpar evening (4/12, 53 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) and Lauletta (22/40, 248 yards, 2 TD) looked much sharper again, leading the Giants to victory with 21 unanswered points in the second half to win the game, 31-29.
WR Alonzo Russell (five catches, 92 yards, 2 TD) made some more big plays in this game. He caught a 35-yard TD pass down the left sideline from Tanney and then caught the game-winner with no time left. He’s practically a lock to make the roster based on this performance and his strong showing on special teams.
After several defensive pass interference challenges and calls, it became fairly clear this situation is going to be a mess this season. There’s no rhyme or reason to the logic behind what is a penalty and what is not. The league should not have futzed with this.
Second-year defensive lineman R.J. McIntosh looked dominant on the Giants’ first defensive series. Lots of push up the middle and recorded a QB hit.
Linebacker B.J. Goodson (6 tackles, 5 solo) needed a solid outing to do one of two things. Make a last-ditch run at a roster spot or showcase himself to other teams. He had a first quarter sack of Patriots’ rookie QB Jarrett Stidham coming untouched up the middle for a clean takedown.
The Giants’ secondary was up against three established wide receivers in the first half. Pro Bowler Julian Edelman, who was recently activated after rehabbing a broken thumb had a 20-yard reception. Veterans Josh Gordon (suspension) and Demaryius Thomas (achilles), played throughout the first half.
Injuries
- WR Brittan Golden (calf) and LB Keion Adams (knee) left the game in the first half. TE Scott Simonson tweaked his ankle making a TD catch in the third quarter and was carted off the field. Linebacker Nate Stupar left the game in the second half with a concussion. Wideout T.J. Jones, was also carted off the field with a lower leg injury.
