Patriots Fall to Giants 31-29 in Final Preseason Game
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
Patriots Fall to Giants 31-29 in Final Preseason Game
The game was highlighted by Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon and Demaryius Thomas making their preseason debuts.
See the Five Takeaways in the Slideshow Below
“I was excited. First game coming back from tearing my Achilles, getting out, making a couple of plays. I was excited about it," said Thomas after the game.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHe finished the game with seven catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
Edelman had one catch for 20 yards and Gordon hauled in two catches for 30 yards in the game.
The Patriots finish the preseason with a record of 3-1.
Patriots Fall to Giants
Trailing 10-3 after the first quarter, rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham connected with Thomas on a 35-yard pass to cut the Patriots deficit to 10-9 after they failed on a two-point conversion.
Midway through the second quarter, Stidham would find Thomas again for a touchdown, this one just a three-yard toss to give the Patriots a 16-10 lead after an extra point from Stephen Gostkowski.
Two more Gostkowski field goals and a Nick Brossette one-yard touchdown run would give the Patriots a 29-10 lead heading into the half.
Stidham played the whole game, completing 18 of 28 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns. He also had an interception.
However, in the second half, it was all New York.
After a field goal to make the score 29-13, third-string quarterback Kyle Lauletta hit Scott Simonson on a 27-yard touchdown pass to cut New England’s lead to 29-19.
New York missed the two-point conversion.
In the fourth quarter, New York’s Wayne Gallman Jr. scored on a six-yard touchdown run to cut New England’s lead to 29-25.
The Giants failed on the two-point conversion.
The Patriots led 31-29 with time winding down when Lauletta led a 15-play, 70 yard drive concluding with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Alonzo Russell with no time left on the clock to seal the Giants win.
Next Up
Following Saturday's roster cuts, the Patriots will open the season on Sunday, September 8 when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
Game time is set for 8 p.m.
See the Five Takeaways in the Slideshow Below
5 Takeaways From the Patriots 31-29 Preseason Loss to the Giants - August 29, 2019
Edelman, Gordon and Thomas Play
A big surprise in this game was wide receivers Josh Gordon, Julian Edelman, and Demaryius Thomas all made their preseason debuts after not playing in the previous three games due to injuries and in Gordon’s case suspension.
Edelman only played one series and caught one pass for 20 yards down the sideline from Jarrett Stidham.
After catching the pass, Edelman walked to the sideline looking at his hand.
Once on the sideline, he was briefly examined by trainer Jim Whalen.
Edelman did not return to the game, but did stay on the sideline.
Gordon saw live game action for the first time since he was suspended last season.
Gordon hauled in two passes for 30 yards in the game.
One catch was down the sideline where Gordon made the catch and then sheaded a defender to pick up several yards.
The second catch was on a slant over the middle.
Gordon also drew a pass interference call down the sideline that later led to a Patriots touchdown.
Thomas saw his first action after tearing his ACL last season in Houston.
He led all receivers with seven catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns
Thomas was responsible for a fumble in the first quarter on an end-around play.
Stidham went to hand him the ball and instead of giving the rookie quarterback a pocket to put the ball in, he tried grabbing it with his fingers and fumbled it.
New York recovered.
PHOTO: Joe Calabro/GoLocalProv
Jarrett Stidham
Rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham played the entire game for the Patriots on Thursday night, possibly sealing his spot as the number two quarterback behind Tom Brady.
“Whatever decision is made, whatever my role is on this team that's what I’m going to do. I’m going to continue to work as hard as I possibly can to help the team any way I can so that’s the way I’m looking at it,” said Stidham in his post-game press conference.
He completed 18 of 28 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns and an interception.
The first touchdown pass was to Thomas on a 35-yard back-shoulder throw down the sideline to cut New York’s lead to 10-9.
Stidham’s second touchdown pass was also to Thomas.
On the play, Stidham scrambled to the left drawing defenders to him and found a wide-open Thomas in the back of the end zone.
On the interception, Stidham scrambled to his right and was hit as he threw. The throw ended up being a pop-up and an easy interception.
“It was good, just like the three other preseason games have been good, just to get reps. Whether its come into the second quarter or play the whole game, my focus has been on getting reps,” said Stidham
Stidham also ran for 50 yards on seven carries.
PHOTO: Patriots media website
Keion Crossen
Second-year defensive back Keion Crossen's night got off to a rough start.
He was in primary coverage on Giants star receiver Golden Tate and was beaten on a couple of occasions including on a long pass down the sideline.
However, he recovered later in the game.
Crossen racked up 12 tackles in the game and had a diving interception along the sideline where he was able to keep his feet in bounds.
Crossen is in a battle to make the roster as a member of the secondary.
New England's secondary is seemingly set with Stephon Gilmore, the McCourty brothers, Patrick Chung, Duran Harmon, J.C. Jackson, and rookie JoJuan Williams.
If the Patriots decide to go with ten players on the secondary depth chart, Crossen could find himself on the roster.
Until then, he is square on the bubble.
PHOTO: Patriots media website
Gunner Olszewski
Gunner Olszewski is right on the roster bubble entering cut down day on Saturday.
If he does make the team, it appears likely he would get on as the primary kick and punt returner - a role he has filled throughout the preseason.
On Thursday night, Olszewski had one punt return for seven yards and three kick returns totaling 77 yards.
In the game, Olszewski also played wide receiver, hauling in two passes for 30 yards and played in the secondary near the end of the game.
Olszewski making the roster would likely mean that Julian Edelman would no longer have to return punts, saving some of the wear and tear on his body.
“This preseason was the best time of my life. The Patriots are damn good at what they do,” said Olszewski after the game.
PHOTO: Patriots media website
Notable Dates
Saturday, August 31 - The Patriots roster must be cut to 53 players by Saturday at 4 p.m.
September 1 - The Patriots will have until noon time to claim players placed on the waiver wire.
New England has until 1 p.m. to establish a 10 player practice squad.
September 8 - The Patriots will play their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
