The New York Giants had the equivalent to a “walkoff” victory over the New England Patriots on Thursday night in their final game of the 2019 NFL Preseason.
Quarterback Kyle Lauletta found wide receiver Alonzo Russell in the end zone with no time remaining on the clock to give the Giants a 31-29 comeback win to remain undefeated in the preseason, their best since 2014 when they went 5-0.
There was a lot to sort out in this game, and no one is sure what to make of what happened on Thursday as only one starter (wide receiver Golden Tate) saw the field for the Giants. With the roster due to be pared down to 53 players, there are still an abundance of questions to be answered over the next 36 hours.
Two things were clear. Lauletta (22/40, 247 yards, 2 TD) emerged the clear victor of the third quarterback spot on the roster over Alex Tanney, who once again had his struggles. Lauletta gives the Giants a quarterback room another capable arm behind Eli Manning and rookie Daniel Jones.
Wide receiver Alonzo Russell was very active, getting targeted 15 times in the game and coming away with just five receptions. But those receptions were key ones for the Giants. He scored twice, including the winner, and showed the hustle and promise the team wanted to see out of him. He should make the roster. Many of the passes thrown his way were uncatchable, but there were a few he should have reeled in, including a dropped two-point conversion.
Rookie quarterback Daniel Jones started the game and went 4-of-4 for 47 yards, but the drive stalled after the Giants could not make a third-and-1 and then a fourth-and-1. He left the game after the drive, giving way to Alex Tanney.
It will likely be the lat we see of Jones for some time, barring anything unforeseen.
“He’s getting there,” head coach Pat Shurmur said after the game. “We have another week until we play Dallas, but he’s getting there. He’s done everything we’ve asked to this point, in terms of how he prepares and how he gets himself ready. This was another opportunity to grow, and I think he did that.”
The tight end derby could become a little clearer after Scott Simonson injured his ankle while scoring on a 27-yard touchdown reception. He was carted from the field and the injury appeared to be serious enough to endanger his roster spot. Rookie C.J. Conrad had four receptions for 36 yards.
Second-year cornerback Sam Beal (hamstring) was dressed but did not play in the game. His immediate future with the team is uncertain.
Linebacker B.J. Goodson, a starter last season, led the Giants with six tackles (five solo), including a nine-yard sack of Patriots’ rookie Jarrett Stidham. His future with the team still remains up in the air even with the solid showing.
The Giants got a long look at several players on the roster bubble. On offense, tackle Brian Mihalik played all 90 snaps. Tackle Victor Salako and center James O’Hagan both played 81 snaps followed by wide receivers Alonzo Russell (77) and Reggie White, Jr. (76).
On defense, safety Sean Chandler and cornerback Henre Tolliver both played 88% of the snaps while rookie corner Julian Love was in on 85%.
