Game Report: Giants 40, Patriots 38

FOXBOROUGH — All you need to know in quickie form about the Patriots' 40-38 loss to the Giants in the exhibition season finale at Gillette Stadium.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

CB/PR Cyrus Jones looks to be out for the season: Jones suffered a non-contact knee injury in the second quarter in coverage and immediately grabbed the back of his knee, like Julian Edelman the week before. We all know how that turned out. If Jones was due to be the fifth or sixth corner and punt returner, how will the Patriots move forward now?

QB Jacoby Brissett looks like he belongs on the team: Took him long enough with a rough summer, but Brissett played very well in this game. He made his usual athletic plays, but more importantly, he showed he can stay in the rhythm of the offense and execute from the pocket, which is a must in this system. He was also more decisive in his reads (he tended to hold the ball too long in practices), and took the "easy money" (quick and easy yards) when given the opportunity. Brissett was efficient like a Patriots quarterback is expected to be.

LB Jonathan Freeny played the entire game: That’s usually a very bad sign for a veteran like Freeny, who may have been upgraded in the trade for Bengals LB Marquis Flowers. A team makes a move like that because they believe the new player is an upgrade over a player currently on the roster. Flowers is a young and fast linebacker with a flair for special teams. That sounds like a new-model Freeny.

INJURIES

CB Cyrus Jones (right knee). Did not return. Looks to be a serious ACL injury.
DT Woodrow Hamilton (right ankle). Toughed it out by returning to the game and playing on a bum wheel.
Not spotted during warmups: WR Julian Edelman, S Nate Ebner, OLB Harvey Langi, LB Keionta Davis, LB Shea McClellin, OT Tony Garcia, OT Andrew Jelks (NFI), DE Deatrich Wise and DE Derek Rivers.

THREE UP

QB Jacoby Brissett: Completed 28 of 39 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns (one interception for a touchdown), for a passer rating of 121.8. Led the team on four-straight scoring drives to take a 38-37 lead with 44 seconds remaining. Also ran for another score, where he faked Giants S Ryan Murphy out of his shoes near the goal line.

DE Geneo Grissom: In extended playing time at left end, Grissom generated constant pressure and registered a sack and a sack assist on Darius Kilgo's takedown.

LB Jonathan Freeny: If this was his last appearance in a Patriots uniform, he'll go out with his head high because despite being one of the few vets on the field with the youngsters, he played hard throughout and made nine tackles.

Honorable mention: WR Devin Lucien, OG Ted Karras. Both finished very strong summers.

THREE DOWN

OT Conor McDermott: Failed to cut the end on Brissett's pick six and added a holding penalty. Not a good way to finish for the sixth-round pick, who showed some promise midway through the summer. A practice squad candidate.

https://twitter.com/Giants/status/903406811050475520

FB Glenn Gronkowski: Had a fumble on a reception.

RB LeShun Daniels: Dropped a pass when he was wide open and had just 46 yards on 15 carries.

TOP PLAYS

Brissett's 12-yard touchdown pass to Lucien with S Trey Robinson around his ankles, LB Stansly Maponga in his throwing lane, and over CB Tay Glover-Wright. Might have been the best play of Brissett's young career. See for yourself:

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/903433024091463681

Brissett deep to Lucien for 45 yards with 7:40 left in the game. Perfect touch.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/903439933397798912

Brissett's touchdown with his feet. #watchyourankles

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/903440008219987968

Woodrow Hamilton penetrating and getting the initial hit on RB Wayne Galman to stop a 4th-and-1 with 7:40 left in third quarter.

TE James O’Shaughnessy made a nice leaping and twisting catch over the middle.

CB Kenny Moore jumping and breaking up a quick slant with 1:52 left to give the Patriots a chance to take the lead.