Three takeaways from the Giants vs. Patriots preseason finale
New York Giants quarterbacks Tommy DeVito, left, Jameis Winston and Jaxson Dart after a preseason rout of the Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 21, 2025 Credit: Ed Murray
The Giants finished the preseason unbeaten for the first time since 2019. Of course, going 3-0 in August means little for the regular season, but it’s good momentum for a team that could use some after only three wins last season.
Here are three takeaways from Thursday’s 42-10 win over the Patriots.
1. Jaxson Dart finished preseason on good note
Dart’s final preseason outing (6-for-12, 81 yards, 99.7 passer rating) wasn’t as dynamic as his first two games, but he was hurt by several drops by his receivers. Coach Brian Daboll noted, “Every ball should have been complete . . . or all but one maybe.”
Dart did throw a touchdown pass for the third straight game. It capped what’s been an excellent preseason for the rookie, who went 32-for-47 for 372 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions and also had 52 rushing yards with a touchdown.
There’s no doubt he earned the chance to start real games when his time comes. But it won’t and shouldn’t be soon if Russell Wilson is productive. So Dart can bide his time, learn from Wilson and stay ready until Daboll deems him ready.
But some advice in the meantime: Practice sliding. The praise for not doing it in the first preseason game during a scramble was negated when he took an unnecessary hit after a 23-yard run on Thursday.
“I didn’t feel like I was in a situation where I was going to take a really big hit,” Dart said. “So I felt like I could extend the play and make something out of it.”
Toughness is admirable — except when it’s not wise. The Giants love Dart’s competitiveness, but he must be smarter with it.
2. Tommy DeVito’s likely farewell
If Thursday was DeVito’s last game as a Giant, it couldn’t have gone any better. The New Jersey native got a nice ovation to start the second half and then threw touchdown passes on his first three drives.
It was shades of the “Tommy Cutlets” phenomenon from two years ago when the undrafted rookie won three straight regular-season games. For a kid who grew up 14 miles from MetLife Stadium, it was a dream come true.
With Tuesday’s deadline to trim rosters to 53 players, DeVito’s time here might be over. The Giants have four quarterbacks and will carry three; that leaves DeVito on the outside. If so, he was glad to play two-plus seasons for his hometown team.
“It means a lot,” he said. “If I was in the stands, I would be cheering for anybody who was the hometown kid, too. It was appreciated.”
3. Jalin Hyatt’s rough outing
Jalin Hyatt was the receiver with the most to prove this preseason. He didn’t show much Thursday to demonstrate that he’s ready for a bigger role.
With the Giants resting their top three receivers, Hyatt needed to stand out. He had three catches on a team-high six targets but dropped two passes from Dart. One of those drops came when Dart hit him on the shoulder pads on a deep ball.
Hyatt did catch a 27-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston, but the shaky night didn’t prove he deserves more targets. Hyatt still might have a roster spot, but his spot in this offense remains to be determined.
His last preseason audition wasn’t a great sign despite all the positive things Wilson has said about him.
Early cuts
The Giants announced Friday that they cut eight players: receivers Montrell Washington, Zach Pascal and Jordan Bly, linebackers Dyontae Johnson and K.J. Cloyd, cornerback O’Donnell Fortune and offensive linemen Jaison Williams and Jimmy Morrissey . . . Rookie running back Cam Skattebo made his preseason debut with three carries for 12 yards.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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