Giants Crush Patriots 42-10 to Cap Perfect Preseason Run

Giants Wrap Up Perfect Preseason with Dominant Win Over Patriots

The New York Giants didn’t just end their preseason undefeated—they ended it with a statement. On Thursday night at MetLife Stadium, Big Blue steamrolled the New England Patriots 42-10, capping off a three-game run where they racked up 107 points in total. For a team that had stumbled to a rough 9-25 record over the last two seasons while struggling to put points on the board, this turnaround was eye-opening.

But before Giants fans start booking playoff tickets, head coach Brian Daboll gave a reminder: preseason is just the preseason.

“I think just the effort of the guys is what we’re really focused on—the discipline, their team-first attitude, their work ethic, accountability to each other, to the coaches, to the players,” Daboll said afterward. “It’s a process. Training camp rolls into preseason, and the key is execution no matter who’s in there. There’s a standard I’ll hold everyone to. We’ve got 17 days before the first real one, so plenty of work still ahead.”

That said, there was plenty to like about how every unit performed Thursday night. Let’s break it down.

Offense: Backups Shine Bright

Here’s the wild part: none of the projected Week 1 starters on offense even suited up. That’s right—the Giants rolled with backups and guys fighting for roster spots, and they still lit up the scoreboard.

The quarterback group led the way again, showing real depth behind Daniel Jones. Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston, and Tommy DeVito combined for 320 passing yards and five touchdowns. That trio spread the ball around to 11 different receivers, and tight end Greg Dulcich was the red-zone hero with two TD grabs.

Sure, there were a few frustrating drops that killed what could have been even bigger plays, but the overall execution was sharp. Dart also showed off his legs with a highlight 23-yard scramble before leaving the game.

The running game chipped in with 4.6 yards per attempt. That consistency kept the offense balanced and made life easier for the quarterbacks.

The offensive line—made up entirely of reserves—wasn’t flawless, but it held up better than expected. They allowed just one sack and three QB hits. For a unit often under the microscope, that was encouraging.

Offensive grade: A

Defense: Clamping Down Hard

While the offense was piling on points, the defense was quietly smothering the Patriots’ attack. New England managed only 191 total yards and averaged just 3.4 yards per play. That’s the kind of efficiency coaches dream about.

The Giants’ defensive front lived in the backfield, stacking up seven tackles for loss. Linebacker K.J. Cloyd set the tone with six tackles, while cornerback Art Green flashed with sticky coverage throughout the night.

The real excitement came from the rookie class. TJ Moore had the defensive highlight of the game—a pick-six that electrified the stadium. Unfortunately, the moment turned bittersweet as Moore was carted off in the fourth quarter with a leg injury. Cornerback O’Donnell Fortune also impressed, breaking up three passes and looking confident in coverage.

The pass rush wasn’t dominant statistically, with Tomon Fox recording the lone sack, but the pressure was steady and forced bad throws.

Defensive grade: A

Special Teams: Clean and Steady

Special teams didn’t provide fireworks, but sometimes consistency is exactly what you want. Rookie kicker Jude McAtamney nailed all six extra points and booted six of seven kickoffs for touchbacks. He didn’t get a field-goal try, but his leg strength was evident.

Punter Jamie Gillan averaged 47 yards per kick on three attempts, dropping one inside the 20. Punt return duties were split among five different players, though none produced anything eye-catching.

One small bonus: running back Jonathan Ward and tight end Greg Dulcich both chipped in with tackles on coverage teams. That kind of hustle makes coaches take notice.

Special teams grade: A

Coaching: Daboll’s Blueprint Showing Results

When you dominate a preseason finale by 32 points, coaching deserves its flowers too. Brian Daboll looks like he’s got this team more locked in than in years past. The players seem sharper, the execution cleaner, and the vibes much stronger heading into Week 1.

The offensive system hasn’t changed drastically, but it’s clicking with better quarterback play and more rhythm. A small but important tweak: offensive coordinator Mike Kafka called plays from the sideline, and it gave him closer interaction with players between series.

On defense, coordinator Shane Bowen is clearly settling into his second season. The unit looks more disciplined, and camp competitions have raised the intensity level across the board. The fact that rookies and backups are already contributing at a high level says a lot about how prepared this group is.

Coaching grade: A

Big Takeaways from the Giants’ Perfect Preseason

Let’s be real—going undefeated in the preseason doesn’t mean you’re headed for a Super Bowl run. History has proven that plenty of 4-0 August squads struggle once September hits. But for a team trying to shake off years of frustration, confidence matters.

Some key points from this preseason:

• Depth at quarterback looks real. Winston, DeVito, and Dart all showed they can step in and move the offense.

• Rookies are making plays. Even with the scare of Moore’s injury, the young guys are flashing NFL talent.

• Discipline and execution are sharper. Fewer sloppy mistakes, more cohesive effort.

• Coaching staff is in sync. Kafka and Bowen both look comfortable, and Daboll’s message is clearly landing.

The regular season will bring tougher challenges, but this team has momentum—and momentum matters.

Looking Ahead

The Giants now get 17 days to reset, trim the roster, and prepare for the real grind. Daboll and his staff know they can’t rest on a hot preseason. But the vibe around the team is very different compared to the frustration of the last two years.

Fans saw energy, competition, and execution—all things that had been missing. Preseason or not, that’s worth celebrating.

So, are the Giants suddenly contenders? That’s too early to say. But one thing’s for sure: they’ve put together their most encouraging August in years, and they’re heading into September with confidence.