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Preseason video games are extra than simply the ultimate rating. For many followers and media members, the preseason is a option to acquire intel about groups and gamers earlier than the beginning of the common season. Followers of each the Giants and Patriots realized issues about their groups on Thursday evening, except for the Giants’ 23-21 victory.
The Giants dominated the primary half so far as statistics are involved. New York gained over 3 times as many yards whereas taking a 10-7 lead into intermission. The 2 groups traded touchdowns within the third quarter earlier than New York stretched its lead 20-14 lower than 5 minutes into the fourth quarter. New England rallied to take the lead on rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe’s 20-yard landing go to Lil’Jordan Humphrey with 4:51 left. The Giants mounted a late-game drive, nevertheless, and received the sport on Graham Gano’s 24-yard subject objective as time expired.
Listed here are the primary takeaways from Thursday evening’s sport.
Zappe strong in NFL debut
With Mac Jones sidelined, the Patriots’ fourth-round decide acquired a heavy workload on Thursday evening. The previous Western Kentucky quarterback went 19 of 32 for 205 yards with a landing and an interception. The spotlight was his scoring go to Humphrey, who led New England with 62 yards on six receptions.
Giants O-line shines
Whereas they allowed a couple of photographs on Daniel Jones (extra on that later), the Giants’ offensive line was distinctive in run blocking. The Giants rumbled for 177 yards on 33 carries, in comparison with the Patriots’ 52 yards on 18 carries. New York was led on the bottom by Antonio Williams, who ran for 61 yards and a rating on 9 carries.
Thornton scores first NFL TD
Tyquan Thornton’s first NFL reception resulted in a landing, as New England’s second-round decide was in a position to break away at the back of the tip zone earlier than knocking down Brian Hoyer’s go. Anticipated to deliver a component of velocity to the Patriots’ receiving corps, Thornton caught 10 landing passes throughout his ultimate season at Baylor. He averaged 15.7 yards per catch all through his time with the Bears.
Butler’s return
Malcolm Butler grew to become a family title following his game-winning decide in Tremendous Bowl XLIX. Butler’s penchant for making huge plans rang true once more on Thursday evening. The Patriots’ new No. 4 (Butler switched from his outdated No. 21) scooped up Terrance Mitchell’s pressured fumble of Giants wideout Collin Johnson on New York’s third possession. Butler performed in his first sport in practically two years after he retired earlier than the beginning of the 2021 season.
Barkley’s strong preseason debut
Giants operating again Saquon Barkley seemed good in his one possession. He had 4 carries for 13 yards and in addition caught an 8-yard go on third down to assist the Giants transfer the chains. Barkley is hoping to return to kind this season after accidents plagued him the earlier two seasons.
Jones feels the warmth
Jones was strong in his two sequence beneath middle. The Giants quarterback went 6 of 10 for 69 yards whereas main New York to a subject objective on the sport’s opening drive. His favourite goal was Johnson, who caught each of his targets from Jones for 30 yards. Johnson completed the sport with seven catches for 82 yards.
Jones didn’t depart the sport unscathed, nevertheless. On his ultimate drive, he took a sack by Josh Uche earlier than getting hit on his ultimate go try. The previous first-round decide was sacked 105 occasions throughout his first three seasons however simply 22 occasions in 11 video games in 2021.
Patriots play-calling
A looming query has been who will name the performs in New England now that Josh McDaniels is in Las Vegas. It seems that the Patriots do not know that reply, both, as Matt Patricia and Joe Choose took turns calling performs on Thursday evening. Patricia gave the impression to be calling performs throughout Hoyer’s first-half possessions, whereas Choose referred to as performs for Zappe.
Tre Nixon makes presence felt
New England’s younger receiver caught 36- and 32-yard passes on the Patriots’ go-ahead drive to start out the second half. A seventh-round decide within the 2021 NFL Draft, Nixon caught 11 touchdowns and averaged 15.6 yards per catch throughout his two energetic seasons at UCF.
New England suffers a number of O-line accidents
The damage bug hit the Patriots’ offensive line on Thursday evening. Justin Herron, Yodny Cajuste and Invoice Murray every left the sport with accidents. Regardless of these accidents, the Patriots’ patchwork offensive line did properly sufficient to assist New England take a 21-20 lead late within the sport.
Taylor’s nonetheless received it
Tyrod Taylor seemed sharp in his first preseason sport with the Giants. The 12-year veteran and former Professional Bowler began the sport 12 of 14 for 118 yards and a landing to Richie James that gave the Giants a 10-7 lead late within the first half. The 33-year-old seems to be greater than able to main the Giants’ offense if referred to as upon to take action.
Taunting?
Taunting (aka unsportsmanlike) penalties have been a hot-button concern over the previous few weeks, because the NFL has been cracking down on taunting. A head-scratching taunting penalty was assessed to Giants cornerback Aaron Robinson on the finish of the primary quarter. The penalty helped arrange the Patriots’ first landing.
Up subsequent
The Giants play host to the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 20 whereas the Patriots tackle Baker Mayfield and the Panthers on Aug. 19.
