The New York Giants vs New England Patriots game ended with the Giants winning 42-10 at MetLife Stadium. Although the margin was wide, the score was less important than the evaluations taking place. New England viewed the game as an opportunity to finalize assessments before roster cuts.
The Giants, meanwhile, treated it as one last rehearsal before the regular-season opener.
Patriots Veterans See Action in Preseason Finale
The biggest surprise of the night was the amount of time some veteran Patriots spent on the field. Safety Kyle Dugger played 32 snaps, remaining a key piece of the defensive rotation. Head coach Mike Vrabel explained the move was simply to pair Dugger with rookie Craig Woodson, allowing the staff to experiment with various secondary combinations.
Defensive end Keion White worked hard, logging 29 snaps in the game. White notched two quarterback hurries and a run stop, flashing the talent everyone noticed in camp. Even so, he remains a question mark as the season nears.
Once billed as a projected starter, where he fits in the weekly rotation could hinge on the staff’s confidence in him moving between outside and inside technique.
Offensive Line Competition Intensifies
The preseason finale invited the Patriots to experiment with their offensive line combinations. Rookie Jared Wilson opened at left guard next to Ben Brown at center, with Garrett Bradbury resting. Brown and Wilson provided solid pass protection, but the ground game never found a rhythm and struggled to create movement.
Most surprising notes from the New York Giants vs New England Patriots game were the amount of playing time for Patriots veterans. With the deadline for cuts approaching, Brown has solidified a clear edge among the candidates vying for last-man-on-the-depth-chart center and guard roles.
Mixed Results From Skill Players
Receiver Javon Baker logged 33 snaps, likely his last chance to impress, failed to catch a pass, and added a penalty. His place on the 53-man roster now hangs in the balance. Undrafted rookie Ben Wooldridge took all the quarterback reps.
He fired a touchdown to Jeremiah Webb but later threw a pick-six. Though all eyes are on first-round pick Drake Maye, Wooldridge’s outing may still land him a spot on the practice squad.
Rookies Continue to Battle for Spots
The Patriots’ 2025 draft picks graded out unevenly. Safety Craig Woodson and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer turned in some bright moments, but cornerback Kobee Minor surrendered a touchdown. On special teams, kicker Andy Borregales converted 1 of 2 field-goal tries, missing from 49 yards but hitting a 30-yarder.
Parker Romo is still in the mix, meaning this kicker battle likely will go down to the final days.
Giants Dominate While Patriots Evaluate
While most observers focused on New England’s roster bubble points, the Giants quieted any debate on the scoreboard. Both the starting offense and the supporting unit thrived, adding touchdowns and throttling the Patriots’ attack.
On the other sideline, the objective transcended the win column; the Patriots zeroed in on who warranted survival ahead of the looming 53-man roster cut.
Final Thoughts: New York Giants vs New England Patriots
New York Giants vs New England Patriots became the last opportunity for roster hopefuls to leave their mark. The Giants, confident in their depth, opened the playbook. The Patriots, in contrast, deployed a fluid mix of veterans and untested projects for in-game analysis.
With the cut deadline looming, New England must now decide the fate of bubble wideouts, safeties, and another wave of defenders. The scoreboard tilted in New York’s favor, but for the Patriots the night was ultimately about drills, diagnostics, and directing the roster toward the regular-season kickoff.
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