EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants faced Tom Brady for an entire half Thursday night with (mostly) their second-team defense trying to contain the future Hall of Fame quarterback. They held their own, allowing six points in a 17-9 victory over the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
Given the results, the Giants must’ve done some things right. They must’ve had more than a few strong performances to limit and beat Brady and the Patriots.
On first glance, without film review, here’s who was up and who was down.
UP
WR Tavarres King: He was the Giants' most productive receiver once again. The 26-year-old had three catches -- all on third downs -- in the first half, and added a 59-yard catch-and-run where he flashed good speed in the third quarter. King has seemingly done enough to earn a roster spot.
“He’s been making plays all offseason, all training camp and in the preseason games,” coach Ben McAdoo said.
CB Trevin Wade: If Wade was on the roster bubble, he appeared to do enough to move north of the cut line. He made a tackle for a loss against the run early in the first quarter, had two passes defended and intercepted a pass from Brady. Wade showed why he was a starter for most of last season and proved he’s versatile, capable of playing in the slot and on the outside. It should put him in good position for a spot on the final 53-man roster.
DT Jermelle Cudjo: He’s a different kind of defensive lineman than the most of the other Giants fighting for a spot on the 53. Cudjo is a shoot-the-gap tackle. He did that effectively Thursday night when he knifed through the line and made a pair of tackles for a loss. He also knocked down a pass in a solid performance.
Honorable mention: S Andrew Adams, S Nat Berhe, QB Logan Thomas, RB Orleans Darkwa, CB Michael Hunter
DOWN
RB Paul Perkins: Putting the ball on the turf isn’t the best way to earn the coaches’ trust. Perkins lost a fumble early in Thursday’s victory. It’s these kind of rookie mistakes that are likely to keep the fifth-round pick pinned to the sideline to start this season.
QB Ryan Nassib: He again did very little to inspire confidence that he can serve as a viable replacement for Eli Manning if necessary. Nassib threw an interception and had a fumble (which was negated by a penalty). He also looked shaky in the pocket much of the evening and struggled with his accuracy. The Giants can’t possibly feel completely confident with Nassib after what they’ve seen this preseason.
Offensive tackles: The Giants' starting offensive tackles (Ereck Flowers and Marshall Newhouse) played nine snaps. It took three snaps before they both allowed a pressure on the same play that led to a sack of Nassib. After a summer of inconsistency, the Giants needed something positive from Newhouse and Flowers heading into the season. That’s why McAdoo had the first-team offensive line -- minus center Weston Richburg -- on the field in the first place, but it didn't really happen. Flowers was also pushed deep into the backfield on a second-down running play that went for a four-yard loss.
