Pats wrap up preseason with 40-38 loss to Giants
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| (Pro Football Talk) |
Though the Patriots staged a fourth-quarter rally, they weren't able to stave off the New York Giants.
Stephen Gostkowski put them ahead with 44 ticks on the clock with a 55-yard field goal, giving them their second lead of the night, but it couldn't hold. Aldrick Rosas cashed in on a 48-yarder as time expired, and the Pats were dealt the narrow 40-38 loss.
Closing out the preseason with a last-second loss was the least of New England's concerns, though. The injury bug reared its ugly head yet again, as Cyrus Jones left in the second quarter with a non-contact knee injury and did not return.
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) September 1, 2017
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the second-year corner is undergoing an MRI tomorrow morning, though the team is fearing the worst -- a season-ending injury.
Jacoby Brissett connected with Cody Hollister on the Pats' first drive to give them an early lead, but from there, the Giants took control. Matt LaCosse caught a touchdown from old laughingstock Geno Smith, while defensive end Kerry Wynn batted and picked off a pass deep in Pats territory and took that back for six points and a Fat Guy Touchdown.
Austin Carr caught another touchdown for the Patriots (1-3) in the second quarter, but that happened to be sandwiched between a pair of Rosas field goals and red-zone touchdowns from LaCosse and Shaun Draughn. Subsequently, the Giants claimed a 34-14 lead at the half.
Brissett connected on yet another touchdown pass in the third stanza, this time to Devin Lucien. That set the stage for a dramatic fourth quarter, where Brissett ran in a touchdown and fed Jason Hollister before the two-minute warning.
Stephen Gostkowski looked to be in midseason form with his late field goal, and it looked like the Pats would cruise home from there. He kicked the ensuing kickoff out of the back of the end zone in lieu of an expected onside kick, and the Giants were able to get Rosas within fair distance.
In all, Brissett looked sharp in all four quarters of action, going 28 of 39 with 341 yards, four touchdowns (and one rushing), and one interception. LeShun Daniels led the way on the ground with 46 yards on 15 carries, and Lucien caught five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.
All three quarterbacks in action for the Giants (2-2) recorded at least 100 passing yards, with Josh Johnson leading at 11 for 14 with 135 yards and a touchdown. Geno Smith followed up by completing 10 of 11 passes for 111 yards and a TD of his own.
Draughn rushed for 54 yards on 14 carries, while LaCosse caught five balls for 60 yards.
Gostkowski's late field goal was the only one he attempted all game, and he did his due diligence by capitalizing on all five extra point attempts. Rosas, in a tough battle with cagey vet Mike Nugent, was perfect on four field goals and four more extra points.
Next up, the games will start to count for the Patriots. The defense of Super Bowl LI kicks off next Thursday against Kansas City.
Follow Rob Riches on Twitter @Riches61
Jacoby Brissett connected with Cody Hollister on the Pats' first drive to give them an early lead, but from there, the Giants took control. Matt LaCosse caught a touchdown from old laughingstock Geno Smith, while defensive end Kerry Wynn batted and picked off a pass deep in Pats territory and took that back for six points and a Fat Guy Touchdown.
Austin Carr caught another touchdown for the Patriots (1-3) in the second quarter, but that happened to be sandwiched between a pair of Rosas field goals and red-zone touchdowns from LaCosse and Shaun Draughn. Subsequently, the Giants claimed a 34-14 lead at the half.
Brissett connected on yet another touchdown pass in the third stanza, this time to Devin Lucien. That set the stage for a dramatic fourth quarter, where Brissett ran in a touchdown and fed Jason Hollister before the two-minute warning.
Stephen Gostkowski looked to be in midseason form with his late field goal, and it looked like the Pats would cruise home from there. He kicked the ensuing kickoff out of the back of the end zone in lieu of an expected onside kick, and the Giants were able to get Rosas within fair distance.
In all, Brissett looked sharp in all four quarters of action, going 28 of 39 with 341 yards, four touchdowns (and one rushing), and one interception. LeShun Daniels led the way on the ground with 46 yards on 15 carries, and Lucien caught five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.
All three quarterbacks in action for the Giants (2-2) recorded at least 100 passing yards, with Josh Johnson leading at 11 for 14 with 135 yards and a touchdown. Geno Smith followed up by completing 10 of 11 passes for 111 yards and a TD of his own.
Draughn rushed for 54 yards on 14 carries, while LaCosse caught five balls for 60 yards.
Gostkowski's late field goal was the only one he attempted all game, and he did his due diligence by capitalizing on all five extra point attempts. Rosas, in a tough battle with cagey vet Mike Nugent, was perfect on four field goals and four more extra points.
Next up, the games will start to count for the Patriots. The defense of Super Bowl LI kicks off next Thursday against Kansas City.
Follow Rob Riches on Twitter @Riches61
