The New England Patriots came to MetLife Stadium on Wednesday to face the team they absolutely could not beat in 2011. Last season as well know the New York Giants had the Patriots number beating them in the preseason, regular season and in Super Bowl XLVI.
It’s important to note that this is not seen as a revenge game because of the Super Bowl. In the 4th and final preseason game of the year New England kept back many of the starters and went with a slew of young guys who are in heavy competition for just a few roster spots.
On Thursday the Giants beat the Patriots, 6-3 in the final tune-up for the season opener. The Giants as the defending Super Bowl champs will open on Wednesday September 5th at home with the rest of the league opening the following Sunday or Monday night.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Patriots got on the board first when Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 27-yard field goal with 8:27 to play in the half. It capped a 12-play, 51-yard drive and was the only points of the half that featured more punts (11) than a regular season game.
In the third quarter the Giants tied the game 3-3 when Lawrence Tynes kicked a 51-yard field goal around the mid point of the quarter. The Giants had driven to the Patriots 24 only to see the drive stall and had to settle for the field goal.
The Patriots split the playing time at quarterback Wednesday night with Tom Brady dressed but not playing. 2nd year QB Ryan Mallett (8 of 15 for 40 yards 0 TD 0 INT) played the first half and fourth year QB Brian Hoyer (9 of 15 for 96 yards 0 TD 1 INT 1 fumble) played the second half.
In the fourth quarter the first turnover of the game occurred when Hoyer got strip sacked by New York’s Adewale Ojomo and recovered by Marcus Thomas deep in New England territory. The Giants were unable to move the ball and with just over a minute left Tynes hit a 39-yard field goal to give the Giants a 6-3 lead and the eventual win the was sealed when LeRon Scott picked Hoyer at the 1-yard line with 13 seconds to play.
New England rookie RB Brandon Bolden looked good as a running back but not so hot as a punt returner. As a return man he muffed another punt but recovered. By count of the Patriots media that’s the fifth time in camp and games that Bolden has put the ball on the turf. As a back he was good gaining 59-yard on 15 first half carries and 16 receiving yards on 3 catches before being replaced by newly signed RB Jeff Demps in the second half.
Defensively for the Patriots standing out was DE Jermaine Cunningham who had 3 tackles, 2 of them solo and 2 quarterback sacks, 1 of Eli Manning who played the first quarter and the second was on David Carr, the Giants 2nd string quarterback.
LB Mike Rivera had 12 tackles (11 solo) and Niko Koutouvides had 8 tackles before he was hurt. LB Jeff Tarpinian had 7 tackles (6 solo) while DE Trevor Scott had 3 tackles and a sack as he looks to find a spot on the team either along the line or at linebacker.
On special teams rookie Nate Ebner from Ohio State continues to make people notice as he is always around the ball during return coverage. If he makes the team and runs special teams with Matthew Slater and Tracy White the trio could be very dangerous to opposing return units.
To continue reading the New England Patriots @ New York Giants preseason week four recap, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Game Notes:
This was the 22nd preseason meeting between the teams.
The Giants lead the preseason series, 14-8.
This was the 8th consecutive season that the teams have closed the preseason against each other (2005-12).
Starters for the Patriots were:
On Offense:
- LT Weems
- LG Dennis
- C Wendell
- RG Warren
- RT Vollmer
- TE Fells
- WR Holley
- WR Ebert
- QB Mallett
- RB Bolden
- RB Kettani
On Defense:
- DE Scott
- DT Deaderick
- DT Brace
- DE Cunningham
- LB Carpenter
- LB Rivera
- LB Koutouvides
- CB Dennard
- CB Dowling
- S Wilson
- S Ebner
The Patriots starting secondary was made up of rookies and a second year player who missed all but one game in 2011 with an injury.
Among the Patriots not in uniform during pregame warm-ups were:
- RB Stevan Ridley
- S Patrick Chung
- RB Shane Vereen
- LB Brandon Spikes
- LB Tracy White
- OL Nick McDonald
- OL Matt Kopa
- TE Visanthe Shiancoe
- WR Wes Welker
Former Patriots David Patten and Billy Yates are with the team as coaching interns as part of the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship.
The replacement referee for the game was Don King. No I’m not kidding.
LB Niko Koutouvides injured his wrist in the third quarter. He left with the training staff but did return to the sideline.
Next Week
The Patriots open the regular season on Sunday September 9 when they visit the Tennessee Titans at LP Field in Nashville TN. Kick off is at 1 p.m. on CBS.
Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII
photo credit: ap photo
