AT A GLANCE

With quarterback Russell Wilson and the starters sitting out Thursday night, Jaxson Dart made his first NFL start and promptly threw a touchdown on the opening drive of the preseason finale. The rookie's fourth total touchdown of the preseason opened the scoring for the Giants, who defeated the Patriots 42-10 at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants (3-0) finished undefeated in the preseason for the seventh time in franchise history. Furthermore, it was the first time ever that they scored at least 30 points in three consecutive preseason games. The Giants scored 107 combined points in victories over the Bills (34-25), Jets (31-12) and Patriots (42-10).

UP NEXT

NFL clubs must announce their initial 53-man roster by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at noon the following day. The Giants will be selecting third in the claiming order.

After that, clubs may establish a practice squad of 17 players, as long as one player qualifies as international.

Then it's all systems go for Sept. 7 at Washington.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

Starting lineup:

• QB Jaxson Dart
• LT Marcus Mbow
• LG Aaron Stinnie
• C Austin Schlottmann
• RG Evan Neal
• RT Stone Forsythe
• RB Cam Skattebo
• FB/DL Elijah Chatman
• TE Greg Dulcich
• WR Jalin Hyatt
• WR Beaux Collins

Jaxson Dart, the 25^th overall pick, started the finale while Russell Wilson and the first team got the night off. The veteran quarterback had started the first two preseason games, highlighted by his 80-yard completion to Beaux Collins five days ago against the Jets. The next time Giants fans see Wilson will be Week 1.

Dart, who completed 13 consecutive passes and had two total touchdowns on Saturday, picked up where he left off and connected with Gunner Olszewski on a 50-yard catch-and-run on his first throw of the game. Dart capped the opening drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Dulcich, who found the end zone for the second consecutive game.

Jameis Winston entered the game with 2:39 left in the first quarter after Dart hit the ground hard following a 23-yard scramble. On the very first play, Winston delivered a 27-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, who was targeted a team-high six times throughout the game.

Dart was evaluated for a concussion, cleared protocol, but his night ended there. During his halftime interview, coach Brian Daboll said the rookie got the wind knocked out of him.

Dart finished the preseason 32 of 47 for 372 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed six times for 52 yards and another touchdown.

Rookie running back Cam Skattebo made his debut after missing time due to injury. The fourth-round pick out of Arizona State had three carries for 12 yards.

It has been a big preseason for the tight ends. Rookie Thomas Fidone II, a seventh-round pick, caught a three-yard touchdown from Tommy DeVito on the first drive of the second half. DeVito played the rest of the way and led three consecutive touchdown drives, the second of which resulted in a 41-yard catch-and-run by running back Jonathan Ward. The third went to Dulcich again.

Overall, Devito completed 17 of 20 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns with a 147.5 passer rating.

Andrew Thomas passed his physical and returned to practice on Tuesday. The standout left tackle underwent surgery last season after suffering a foot injury against Cincinnati on Oct. 13. He has been rehabbing since then and was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp. The Giants said all offseason that they would be smart with Thomas, taking it day by day through the spring and summer. "We'll take it slow, but the trainers did a really good job and AT's done a nice job," coach Brian Daboll said earlier in the week. "We'll just keep building him."

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

Starting lineup:

• DL Elijah Chatman
• DL Chauncey Golston
• DL Elijah Garcia
• DL D.J. Davidson
• ILB Dyontae Johnson
• LB Chris Board
• OLB Tomon Fox
• CB Cor'Dale Flott
• CB Art Green
• S Makari Paige
• S K'Von Wallace

Shane Bowen's major emphasis this offseason was generating more takeaways, but the defensive coordinator also thought there was room for more batted passes. He got two early ones on Thursday night from defensive linemen D.J. Davidson and Chauncey Golston. Elijah Garcia later added a third for the defensive front.

The defense showed some mettle on a sudden change of possession early in the second quarter. Following a punt return miscue (more on that later), the Giants' defense had to trot back out for a fresh set of downs at their own 12. They held up and forced the Patriots to settle for a short field goal. The stand included two quality pass breakups by undrafted rookie cornerback O'Donnell Fortune, who had three on the night overall.

Outside linebacker Tomon Fox recorded the Giants' first sack of the night, taking down Ben Wooldridge late in the first half. The Giants notched seven tackles for loss on the night.

In the ongoing competition with Deonte Banks for the second cornerback spot, Cor'Dale Flott started Thursday night and broke up a pass while starting opposite Art Green.

Undrafted rookie safety Makari Paige, who grabbed an interception against the Jets, recorded four tackles, including one for loss.

TJ Moore, an undrafted rookie cornerback out of Mercer University, put the exclamation point on the preseason with a 44-yard pick-six to put the Giants ahead 35-10 with 57 seconds left in the third quarter. Unfortunately, the mood in the stadium turned when he had to be carted off in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS

The Giants' punt return team had a miscue to start the second quarter. Dante Miller, who was trying to block for Ihmir Smith-Marsette, was pushed into the returner by New England's Javon Baker. The punt hit Miller's lower back and was recovered by the Patriots deep in Giants territory.

Jude McAtamney once again handled kicking duties and made all six of his extra point attempts. Veteran Graham Gano opened the preseason by making three 50-yard field goals in the first half alone at Buffalo.

GAMEDAY CAPTAINS

OLB Abdul Carter, QB Jaxson Dart

*Players will vote later this month for the 2025 season captains.

IN-GAME INJURY REPORT

NYG: QB Jaxson Dart (evaluated for concussion but cleared protocol)

ROSTER UPDATES

NYG: OT Andrew Thomas was activated off PUP.

NE: The Patriots signed RB Micah Bernard and DT Philip Blidi, and released CB Tre Avery and DE Jereme Robinson.