Patriots Beat Giants 17-12 as All Major Players Sit for Final Preseason Game

The New England Patriots defeated the New York Giants 17-12 in their preseason finale at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday night. 

Former LSU quarterback Danny Etling drew the start for the Patriots and played the entire game as Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer—along with every key contributor—rested to avoid suffering injuries in advance of the regular season. 

Etling, a seventh-round pick in April's draft, finished 18-of-32 for 157 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran for 113 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter to send Big Blue packing: 

Like the Patriots, the Giants didn't let any of their big playmakers sniff the field. As a result, fourth-round pick Kyle Lauletta was left to run the show with a ragtag cast at his disposal. 

As expected, Lauletta—who attempted 16 passes over his first three preseason outings—was inconsistent in his only extended action of the summer. 

On the bright side, he found Amba Etta-Tawo open down the right sideline for a 41-yard touchdown that highlighted his 118-yard outing: 

On the down side, the FCS product tossed a pair of interceptions to undrafted Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson: 

Jackson and the rest of the NFL's fringe prospects will now wait anxiously for Saturday's cutdown deadline as teams scramble to finalize their 53-man rosters before Week 1 preparations kick into high gear. 

The defending AFC champions will open their 2018 slate at home against the Houston Texans on Sept. 9. The Giants will be in action the same day when Jalen Ramsey and the Jacksonville Jaguars pay a visit to the Meadowlands.