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Preview: 10 things to watch in Giants vs. Patriots

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PRESEASON FINALE

It has been an encouraging start for the Giants, with back-to-back victories to open the preseason. More so than that, the Giants have won in dominant fashion as the offense has scored over 30 points in both contests.

Coach Brian Daboll decided to play the team's healthy starters in both of the first two preseason matchups. That decision has seemingly paid off with the two wins and overall positive energy surrounding the team heading into the end of the summer. Daboll did not indicate whether or not starters would play against the Patriots on Thursday. With roster announcement day just around the corner, the head coach acknowledged how tough the next week is going to be for many people around the building.

"Look, we've got some guys we still want to take a look at and that'll be important," Daboll said on Tuesday. "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. I think you have empathy towards a lot of these guys that have done everything they could do since they've been here, starting in the OTAs, training camp, all the rehab, the workouts, all those type of things.

"There's decisions to be made and we'll make those decisions, but I know it's weighing probably on a lot of guys. It always does every year. Again, you have some empathy towards that, but you've got to do what's best for your team. We'll do that for this game and take care of next week, next week."

ALL-TIME SERIES

The New York Giants will host the New England Patriots to close out their preseason on Thursday, August 21 at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff is set for at 8p.m. ET on WNBC 4 NY and Amazon Prime.

Thursday's game marks the 15th all-time meeting between the teams. In regular season play, they've faced off 12 times, and twice in the postseason.

The Giants won their most recent meeting with the Patriots on November 26, 2023, by a score of 10-7.

See the best photos from Tuesday's practice as the Giants prepare for their preseason finale against the Patriots.

HOW TO WATCH, LISTEN, & STREAM

TV

Channel: WNBC 4 NY

Announcers: Bob Papa (Play-by-Play), Carl Banks (Analyst), Phil Simms (Analyst), Howard Cross (Sideline), Bruce Beck (Sideline)

RADIO

Channel: WFAN 101.9FM

Announces: Paul Dottino (Play-by-Play), Shaun O'Hara (Analyst), Madelyn Burke (Sideline)

Pre- and Postgame: John Schmeelk, Tiki Barber

Pregame: Giants Gameday begins at 7:00 p.m., presented by Hackensack Meridian Health.

Postgame: Giants Extra Point

STREAM

This week's game can be streamed on Amazon Prime.

THOMAS RETURNS TO PRACTICE

The Giants received some positive news Tuesday with left tackle Andrew Thomas passing his physical and returning to practice. Thomas was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp, where he remained until Tuesday morning. The Giants will now begin to ramp Thomas up with the hopes of him being ready for the season opener in Washington. But for now, the team is taking it one day at a time with their start left tackle.

"Today was the day that we were planning on working to get him back towards," Daboll told the media Tuesday. "We'll take it slow, but the trainers did a really good job and AT's done a nice job. We'll just keep building him."

Thomas participated in individual drills Tuesday, an encouraging first step as he works his way back into game shape. It has been a long road for the lineman, who injured his foot in Week 6 of last season. The 26-year-old expressed his excitement about being able to get back out there with his teammates in some capacity for the first time in a long time.

"It feels great," Thomas said after practice. "I was joking about it with the training staff earlier today and on our cards, they have like a date for like when you first started and I looked down and it was like 310 days consecutive of training and trying to get right. So, it's been a long time and I'm grateful to be back out there. I know I'm not all the way back practicing with everyone, but to get something in today, it felt good."

MORE REINFORCEMENTS ON THE WAY

Thomas wasn't the only player to return to practice Tuesday after missing some time. Most notably, Malik Nabers was back on the field after not taking part in practice recently. The star wideout participated in some drills as the team starts to gets him ready for the beginning of the regular season.

Running back Cam Skattebo was also back on the practice field Tuesday after being sidelined for some time. The rookie took part in team drills and looked like he hadn't missed a step from where he was at the start of training camp. The other players that returned to practice Tuesday were linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, tight ends Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz, cornerback Tre Hawkins and safety K'Von Wallace.

"I know it's a short turnaround and we've got a game on Thursday," Daboll said before Tuesday's practice, "but I think it's important to take advantage of these days."

DART'S FINAL (PRESEASON) TEST

Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has completed 26 of 35 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers while adding 29 yards and an additional touchdown on the ground. More importantly, the moment has not been too big for Dart.

"The process for Jaxson has been really clearly laid out from all the touch points we had with him through the spring," assistant general manager Brandon Brown said Tuesday. "We knew what we were getting. It was playing to his strengths right now. Whether it's playing with pace, his ability, you've seen it last preseason game, to manipulate his arm slots in the screen game, throw with touch, and just improving on the other nuances of the fundamentals.

"Obviously, our offense is not the easiest, but what he's able to do in terms of on the daily to get tutelage from Russ and Jameis, we can bring him along at the right, call it pace, where we don't have to force him into scenarios that he's not comfortable with. And you see it from OTAs to minicamp to early training camp to the preseason games. It's just a comfort. The game is slowing down for him, and I just think from the rhythm and pace that he's playing with and the tempo that we're able to push, it all lends to his strong suits."

While it is unclear who will or will not play in the preseason finale, it's safe to assume Dart will get an extended look, as it might be the last time we see the rookie on the field for some time.

LAST GAME VS. PATRIOTS

The Giants and Patriots last faced off in Week 12 of the 2023 season, when the Giants emerged with a 10-7 victory at home.

Quarterback Tommy DeVito completed 17 of 25 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown, earning a passer rating of 103.9. His one touchdown pass was to wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins.

Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt had the best game of his career against the Patriots. The then-rookie pulled in five of six targets for 109 yards, both of which are career-highs, including a reception of 41 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Giants registered three interceptions, including one apiece from linebacker Bobby Okereke and cornerback Deonte Banks. Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux finished the game with two tackles for loss.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Speaking of Hyatt, Thursday's game against the Patriots is undoubtedly an important one for the third-year receiver. Hyatt dealt with an injury earlier in training camp but was able to return in time for last week's game against the Jets. He caught only one pass in that game, but it went for 21 yards and helped the Giants get off their own goal line.

The connection between Hyatt and Russell Wilson is one that has been developing ever since the start of the offseason workout program in the spring.

"I'm excited for Jalin," Brown said. "He's put in the work. The biggest thing that's evident with him is getting his weight up. I think the relationship with him and Russ is really going to be an opportunity to unlock him. When you look at what Jalin can do just in terms of if you're playing single high coverage and he's got the ability to take the top off and keep the secondary honest, Russ's ability to throw the deep ball as evident in the last preseason game, that's a connection they've been working on.

"And the nice part is as soon as Russ got here, he was very emphatic in saying that Jalin reminds him of certain guys that he had back in the Seattle days that could be quick strike, explosive play guys where they only need three to four to five touches to be impactful in the game. So that relationship has been really good. Russ has been great in terms of the mentorship with Jalin, keeping his spirits high and proud of Jalin. He's working. He never has gotten down on himself. He knows it's a constant grind and he knows the talent he has. He's just frustrated, and he knows what we put into him in terms of trading up and he wants to put a return on that investment."

MATCHUP TO WATCH

One of the most encouraging parts about the Giants' performance so far this preseason has been the play of the offensive line. The guys up front have stepped up in a big way, allowing a total of just two sacks on 89 pass attempts while helping the offense amass 65 points and 874 total yards across the first two games. This early success has come without left tackle Andrew Thomas playing a single snap yet.

The offensive line will face a good challenge on Thursday as they take on the Patriots' pass rush. New England registered four sacks in last week's win over Minnesota, three of which came from Anfernee Jennings, in addition to nine quarterback hits. It remains to be seen which Patriots defenders will suit up Thursday night, but if Mike Vrabel does play his starters, then the O-line will have a good test going up against the likes of Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Harold Landy III and more.

PATRIOT TO WATCH

The Patriots have collected plenty of talented, young players over the last few offseasons. While New England's rebuild obviously centers around quarterback Drake Maye, the player that seems to be generating the most buzz in Foxborough this summer is one of the players who will be taking his handoffs. I might be a bit biased due to all of the Ohio State talk I hear on a daily basis from our very own Dan Salomone, but the Patriot I will be keeping a close eye on Thursday is running back TreVeyon Henderson.

The rookie second-round pick's NFL career started with a bang. In the Patriots' first preseason game against the Commanders, Henderson returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. He added 30 yards on four touches during the game, and followed that up with four carries for 20 yards (5.0 avg.) and a touchdown in last week's outing against the Vikings. Veteran Rhamondre Stevenson is still listed as the starter on the unofficial depth chart, with Henderson listed as the No. 3 behind Antonio Gibson. But based on what we've seen out of the rookie this summer, it may not be long before Henderson takes over as the lead back.

Rare photos from the storied history between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

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Enjoy a curated custom merchandise shop, exclusive Kendra Scott activation, tailgate games, giveaways, photo opportunities, live DJ entertainment, and more!

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