SB Nation Boston - New England Patriots Preseason 2011, Week 4: Giants Strike In Fourth, Edge Patriots, 18-17

Patriots Vs. Giants: Giants Strike In Fourth Quarter, Edge Patriots, 18-17

2011-09-02T03:43:18Z

After what has been a relatively eventful offseason for the New England Patriots finally came to a close on Thursday night, after they played their final preseason game of 2011. After holding a commanding lead at halftime, the Patriots team of backups couldn't hold the lead as they fell to the New York Giants on Thursday night 18-17 at Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots got off to an excellent start to begin the game, even on the opening play of the game. After catching a 12 yard catch from Giants starting quarterback David Carr, wide receiver Domenik Hixon fumbled the football after being brought down by Rob Ninkovich. Patriots safety Patrick Chung was able to recover the ball and bring it all the way back to the one yard line; putting the Patriots in business.

At the one yard line, the running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis was able to punch the ball in for a one-yard touchdown that put the Patriots ahead early, 7-0.

After a Giants three-and-out, the Patriots were once again set up for another scoring opportunity at the Giants' 33-yard line. Tom Brady and the Pats offense was able to bring the ball all the way to the 13-yard line, which allowed Stephen Gostkowski to kick a 31-yard field goal to the Pats ahead, 10-0.

Later in the first quarter, the Giants were able to scratch across their first points of the game off a Rhys Lloyd 48-yard field goal. The Giants still trailing, 10-3 at that point.

After the Giants score, the Patriots were able to get the ball back just before the expiration of the first quarter, and scored once again. Thanks to some big pass plays including a 64-yard bomb from Tom Brady to Matthew Slater, the Patriots were once again set up in good field position. At the Giants' one-yard line, Green-Ellis was able to punch the ball in on second and goal for his second touchdown of the game. The Patriots holding the commanding 17-3 lead.

After that, it all went downhill for the New England second team. After relatively quiet second and third quarters from both teams, the Giants suddenly found their rhythm.

After failing to convert on the first three downs of the possession, the Giants set up to punt back to the Patriots; down by 14 points. Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin decided to pull out the trick plays and executed a fake punt for a gain of 65 yards and a touchdown. The 'G-Men' now trail the Pats, 17-10.

With the lead in hand and under 10 minutes to go in the game, the Patriots seemed to feel pretty comfortable with their lead. However, it was for not. Richard Medlin could not hold onto the ball and gave the ball right back to the Giants, who recovered the football and ran in all the way into the endzone for the six points.

In another gutsy coaching decision, Coughlin decided to run out the offense and go for the two point conversion and the lead. The Giants were able to successfully convert the two-points after a Jerrel Jernigan catch in the endzone. The Giants now held the 18-17 lead over New England.

With no offensive starters left in the game, rookie quarterback Ryan Mallett and the rest of the Patriots offense could not get into field goal range and could not scratch across another point for the remainder of the game. The Patriots falling in their final preseason game in heartbreaking fashion, 18-17.

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Patriots Vs. Giants: Giants Hold On To Late Lead For 18-17 Win

2011-09-02T02:48:02Z

The New York Giants played a sloppy three quarters of football, as to be expected given they played a hurricane-delayed game just three days ago. But the Giants took a late lead on a fumble recovery and held on to take a 18-17 win in the last preseason game for both teams.

A Richard Medlin fumble allowed Giants safety Derrick Martin to run in for the game-tying score. Giants wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan barely caught a reception in bounds on the two-point conversion attempt to take the lead.

The Giants game within one touchdown of the Patriots after a fake punt attempt that started the fourth quarter. Da’ Rel Scott surprised every Patriots player on the field and ran 65 yards for a touchdown untouched.

Ryan Mallett played the entire fourth quarter at quarterback for the Patriots, and tried to lead a last minute scoring opportunity as time expired. Mallett was flustered by the Giants defense, and couldn’t get much going with his receivers. Mallett finished the night passing for 57 yards and completing 6 of 16 attempts.

Patriots Vs. Giants: Giants Take 18-17 Lead Over Patriots

2011-09-02T02:19:01Z

The New York Giants capitalized on a New England Patriots fumble to take an 18-17 lead in the fourth quarter.

Patriots running back Richard Medlin fumbled the ball near the Patriots 11 yard line. Giants safety Derrick Martin recovered and ran it in for a touchdown.

The Giants then attempted a two point conversion in an effort to take the lead. Ryan Perrilloux passed to Jerrel Jernigan on the successful attempt, and the Giants took their first lead of the game.

Patriots Vs. Giants: Despite Sloppy Third and Surprising Start To Fourth, Patriots Still Lead 17-10

2011-09-02T01:59:48Z

Both the New England Patriots and New York Giants played a slightly sloppy third quarter, with no scoring. But as the fourth quarter started, the Giants caught a napping Patriots defense to score their first touchdown of the game.

The Giants Da’ Rel Scott ran 65 yards with barely any Patriots around him to score a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. Rhys Lloyd kicked the extra point.

Brian Hoyer finished his evening near the end of the third quarter. He went 3 for 5, with 31 passing yards on the night. Rookie Ryan Mallett will take the remainder of the Patriots’ preseason snaps.

Patriots Vs. Giants: Patriots Take 17-3 Lead Over Giants Into Halftime

2011-09-02T01:14:51Z

The New England Patriots and New York Giants played a second quarter that was full of “close, but no cigar” moments.

The Patriots recovered Giants quarterback David Carr’s fumble at the Patriots’ two yard line, stopping a touchdown that seemed to be a given for the Giants. However, Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer couldn’t move the chains, leaving the Patriots to punt off the opportunity.

The Patriots nearly gained a second opportunity on the resulting punt. Guy Guyton recovered a muffed Jerrel Jernigan catch, running it to within the Giants five yard line. However, the referees cited the Patriots for an illegal formation, giving the Giants a do-over that Jernigan was able to hold onto.

The Giants then went on a 13 play drive, but it resulted in a missed 49 yard field goal by kicker Rhys Lloyd.

Patriots’ starting quarterback Tom Brady finished up his brief night going 5 for 9, for 116 yards. Hoyer jumped in and amassed 27 passing yards during the second quarter.

All eyes are on Patriots defensive back Patrick Chung, who was shaken up near the midpoint of the second quarter. His injury did not seem serious.

Patriots Vs. Giants: Green-Ellis Gains Second Touchdown Of Night, Patriots Lead 17-3

2011-09-02T00:32:50Z

New England Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis scored his second touchdown of the night as the first quarter ticked down to give the Patriots a 17-3 lead over the New York Giants.

The Patriots again found themselves in fantastic field position, right on the Giants four yard line. Matthew Slater took a pass from Tom Brady 64 yards to earn them that field position.

Stephen Gostkowski hit the extra point for the Patriots at the very beginning of the second quarter.

Patriots Vs. Giants: Patriots Take 10-3 Lead in First Quarter

2011-09-02T00:17:55Z

The New England Patriots defense came up big early on in the first quarter of their preseason game against the New York Giants.

Patriot Patrick Chung jumped on a Domenik Hixon fumble on one of the game’s first plays, gaining the Pats prime field position right on the Giants one yard line. Quarterback Tom Brady handed the ball off to Benjarvus Green-Ellis on the next play for a short jog into the end zone to give the Pats the game’s first touchdown.

On the Patriots’ next drive, Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 31 yard field goal to give them a 10-0 lead.

The Giants finally settled things down on their offense, and moved down the field to give kicker Rhys Lloyd a chance to boot a 48 yard field goal to get the Giants on the board.

Patriots Vs. Giants: Albert Haynesworth, Shaun Ellis Set To Make Patriots Debuts Thursday Night

2011-09-02T00:07:15Z

According to Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and defensive end Shaun Ellis are both suited up and will make their Patriots debuts on Thursday night against the Giants.

After sitting out for an extended period with an unknown injury, Haynesworth was able to finally get back on the practice field last weekend and practiced with the team in full pads all this week. Patriots fans will finally be able to see both Haynesworth and Vince Wilfork working together in the middle of the team’s defensive line.

Ellis was also forced to sit out of most of Training Camp after signing with the Patriots this summer. Like Haynesworth, Ellis was able to practice all of this week in pads and will be ready to go on Thursday night.

Also dressed for the Patriots on Thursday is defensive lineman Mike Wright, who returned to practice on Tuesday after missing all of training camp with an injury.

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