Patriots Preseason Ends With Giants Rout: Key Takeaways
Hey everyone, let's talk about the New England Patriots’ final preseason game against the New York Giants, which wrapped up on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium with a 42-10 loss. Now, before we get too worried about the score, it’s important to keep some perspective. A lot of the players on the field that night aren’t guaranteed spots on the final roster, so the score doesn’t tell the whole story. That said, there were definitely some performances worth noting.
Veterans like Kyle Dugger, Keion White, and Jabrill Peppers were in action, and it was interesting to see how they fit into the new schemes under head coach Mike Vrabel. For instance, Peppers was used alongside rookie Craig Woodson at safety, giving the coaches a chance to evaluate different combinations. Dugger, on the other hand, played 32 snaps and showed solid positioning in deep coverage, including snagging an interception. His presence was felt both at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield, and it really underscored that he’s likely to be among the top 53 players on the team.
Keion White also got meaningful playing time, totaling 29 snaps. While he’s still figuring out a permanent role, he managed a couple of quarterback pressures and a run stop, though his reps were inconsistent. White is primarily an interior pass rusher but has been experimented with on the edge, which makes for an interesting dynamic with other defensive stars like Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Harold Landry, and K’Lavon Chaisson.
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On the offensive side, rookie Jared Wilson started at left guard and Ben Brown at center, while veteran Garrett Bradbury didn’t dress. This was clearly a chance to evaluate the younger players in live game situations. The duo didn’t allow any sacks in four pass-blocking attempts, though the line wasn’t dominant in the run game. Meanwhile, WR Javon Baker played 33 snaps but struggled with drops and penalties. Still, his work on special teams and in practice could tip the scales in his favor for the final roster.
Several 2025 draft picks were rested, but others like S Craig Woodson, DT Joshua Farmer, EDGE Bradyn Swinson, and CB Kobee Minor saw game action. Farmer made an impression with a run stop and solid pressure. Rookie quarterback Ben Wooldridge started and played the entire game. His performance was inconsistent, but he did connect on a beautiful touchdown pass to WR Jeremiah Webb and also threw a pick-six later in the game. Undrafted rookies like Elijah Ponder and Jordan Polk were given opportunities, too, pushing for spots with meaningful plays and moments of growth.
Finally, rookie kicker Andy Borregales handled the kicking duties, making a 30-yard field goal and an extra point but missing a 49-yarder. After a full summer of competition, it seems the coaching staff has a tough decision ahead for who will handle kicking duties in the regular season.
All in all, while the Patriots’ preseason ended on a disappointing note score-wise, there were plenty of individual performances and evaluations that will shape the roster as cutdown day approaches this Tuesday. Players have shown promise, depth is being assessed, and the coaching staff has valuable insights heading into the regular season.
This was a night of evaluation, and even in defeat, lessons were learned that could shape the Patriots’ 2025 campaign.
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