Giants vs. Patriots: Preseason Finale at MetLife Brings Big Decisions
The New York Giants wrapped up their preseason journey on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium, squaring off against the New England Patriots in what felt like more than just another exhibition game. While the scoreboard carried its own weight, the real drama centered on roster battles, tough decisions looming, and players fighting to keep their NFL dreams alive.
A Week Full of Weight
For head coach Brian Daboll, this wasn’t just another Thursday night under the lights—it was crunch time. With roster cuts due Tuesday afternoon, he admitted the pressure behind the scenes was as heavy as ever. “This week, leading up to the cuts, is an important week for a lot of people. It’s also a tough week for a lot of people,” Daboll shared earlier. You could feel the empathy in his words for players who’ve given everything since OTAs—rehab sessions, endless drills, workouts, and hours of film study—yet still find themselves on the roster bubble.
That balance between compassion and cold decisions is the harsh reality of the NFL. Daboll summed it up best: you have to do what’s best for the team, even if it means breaking the hearts of guys who left it all on the field.
Some On-Field Sparks
The game itself brought plenty of energy, especially from young faces trying to prove they belong. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart got the start and wasted no time. On just the second play of the night, he launched a strike to wideout Gunner Olszewski for a big gain, setting the tone early. That opening drive only built momentum, capped off by a sharp seven-yard touchdown toss to tight end Greg Dulcich, giving the Giants a quick 7-0 edge.
The fun didn’t stop there. Later, Dart engineered another smooth drive, moving the offense 65 yards in just five plays. It was the kind of confidence coaches want to see from a rookie QB. Unfortunately, Dart’s night was cut short when he exited for a concussion evaluation.
That’s when veteran Jameis Winston stepped in. And in true Winston fashion, he went for it. His first big play? A 30-yard touchdown strike to Jalin Hyatt. The young receiver had been struggling throughout camp, but this moment was a needed jolt for both him and the fans. Suddenly, it was 14-0 Giants, and the sidelines were buzzing.
Defense Standing Tall
While the offense made noise, the defense wasn’t about to get overshadowed. On a key third-and-5, cornerback Art Green came up with a clutch tackle to stop a Patriots drive cold. New England lined up for a field goal, but the attempt sailed wide right—no points, Giants still in control.
Moments like that are exactly what this final preseason game is about. It’s not just the stars making plays, but fringe players forcing coaches to think twice before leaving them off the final 53-man roster.
Who’s In, Who’s Out
Not everyone suited up Thursday night. Tight end Theo Johnson was among those held out, a move more about precaution than performance. On the flip side, the Giants finally got to see rookie running back Cam Skattebo in live action. After missing time during camp and the first two preseason matchups, his debut gave the coaching staff something fresh to evaluate.
It wasn’t just about seeing starters polish their timing. For some of these rookies and depth players, this was their one shot to show they could hang in the NFL.
Captains of the Night
In a cool twist, Daboll named only two captains for the night, and both were rookies—quarterback Jaxson Dart and edge rusher Abdul Carter. They won the coin toss, opted to receive, and set the tone early. It was a symbolic nod to the youth movement brewing in New York.
Broadcast Details for Fans Everywhere
If you weren’t in East Rutherford, there were plenty of ways to catch the action. Locally, WNBC 4 NY carried the game, while streaming was available through the Giants mobile app, Giants.com, Amazon Prime, and Fubo (with a free trial).
The broadcast team kept things lively with Bob Papa on play-by-play, joined by Carl Banks and Phil Simms in the booth, while Howard Cross and Bruce Beck handled sideline duties.
For radio listeners, WFAN 101.9 FM was the flagship, with Paul Dottino, Shaun O’Hara, and Madelyn Burke delivering play-by-play and analysis. Spanish-speaking fans tuned into WXNY-FM 96.3 FM, where Nestor Rosario and Francis Adames brought the excitement. Out-of-market fans weren’t left behind either, with affiliate stations stretching from Albany to Danbury to Syracuse.
Kickoff and Scheduling Notes
Thursday’s kickoff came at 8:00 p.m. ET, with MetLife buzzing under the lights. Veteran Russell Wilson got the official start for Big Blue before handing things over to Dart and Winston.
This preseason finale closed out the Giants’ exhibition schedule, which featured stops against the Bills and Jets before squaring off with the Patriots. But the real test begins in just a couple of weeks when the regular season kicks off:
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Week 1: Sept. 7 at Washington Commanders
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Week 2: Sept. 14 at Dallas Cowboys
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Week 3: Sept. 21 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (prime-time clash)
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And a loaded slate that includes divisional battles with Philly, a Monday night showdown in New England, and a late-season trip to Vegas against the Raiders.
Why This Game Mattered So Much
For fans, it’s easy to see preseason games as throwaways. But Thursday night was different. For the coaching staff, it was the last big look at players before deciding who stays and who goes. For the players on the bubble, it was a career-defining moment.
Here’s what stood out:
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Roster Battles: Every snap meant something for backups hoping to sneak onto the final roster.
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Rookies Rising: Jaxson Dart’s poise, Cam Skattebo’s debut, and Abdul Carter’s leadership role as captain gave the Giants some promising glimpses into the future.
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Veteran Presence: Jameis Winston reminded everyone he can still make big throws, and his connection with Jalin Hyatt might be one to watch.
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Defensive Depth: Key plays from guys like Art Green proved this defense might have more depth than expected.
The Road Ahead
Now comes the hardest part. By Tuesday afternoon, Daboll and his staff will trim the roster down to 53. That means tough conversations, goodbyes, and maybe even a few surprises. For fans, it’s the unofficial signal that football is really back.
The preseason is over, the decisions are coming, and in just a couple of weeks, the Giants will march into Washington with the games finally counting for real. Until then, Thursday night’s win over the Patriots gave them—and their fans—plenty to think about.
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