The New York Giants closed their preseason with a 42-10 dismantling of the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium, but the night carried a grim moment as undrafted rookie defensive back TJ Moore suffered a serious leg injury late in the fourth quarter while covering a punt. Moore was carted off after his right leg bent awkwardly, and teammates, including quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxson Dart, helped him onto the medical cart. He managed to give a thumbs-up to the crowd as he left for the locker room.
Moore had just put together his most impactful performance of the preseason prior to the injury. In the third quarter, he jumped a route and intercepted Patriots’ rookie Ben Wooldridge near midfield, returning it 44 yards for a touchdown. That play capped a night in which Moore recorded eight tackles through three exhibitions, and NFL evaluators had highlighted his versatility in both man and zone schemes as a developmental prospect.
The Giants’ offense may have drawn the most attention all night. Jaxson Dart, the rookie first-round signal-caller, opened the scoring with a 50-yard connection to Gunner Olszewski, then hooked up with tight end Greg Dulcich for another score on the opening drive. Dart finished 6 of 12 for 82 yards and one touchdown, leaving the impression that he could contribute in meaningful ways during the preseason.
Winston provided a big second-quarter spark with a 30-yard TD pass to Jalin Hyatt, and Tommy DeVito took charge after halftime, delivering a dominant performance. DeVito finished 17 of 20 for 198 yards and three touchdowns, finding Fidone in the red zone, Ward on a 41-yard screen, and Dulcich for a short-yardage score. Across the preseason, Dart completed 32 of 47 passes for 372 yards with three touchdowns and one rushing score, while DeVito closed the slate with a near-perfect outing in this finale.
On the other side, the Patriots struggled to sustain offense. Wooldridge completed 10 of 24 passes for 87 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, including Moore’s pick-six. New England’s lone foray into the end zone came in the second quarter when Wooldridge connected with Jeremiah Webb for a 10-yard score, but the Giants answered with 28 consecutive points to pull away.
With roster cuts coming by Tuesday, Aug. 26, the Giants improved to 3-0 this preseason and now face the task of trimming from 90 players down to the 53-man limit in advance of their regular-season opener against the Washington Commanders on Sept. 7.
Additional context from the game highlights the Giants’ continued depth at key positions and the continued development of their young quarterback group. Dart’s performance, paired with DeVito’s efficiency in relief, suggests New York has a versatile approach to quarterback development this season. Moore’s injury adds a sobering reminder of the physical toll of preseason football and the uncertainties that come with roster decisions in the weeks ahead.
Summary: The Giants rolled to a convincing win while dealing with a serious injury to a promising early-round developmental talent. The night showcased a high-powered offensive display, strong quarterback competition, and a reminder that roster decisions in the coming days will be tightly watched as New York moves toward its regular-season opener.
If you’re looking for a positive takeaway, the Giants’ offense looked cohesive, the quarterback room flashed depth, and several youngsters continued to prove themselves in meaningful ways ahead of cut-downs and the season. The main drawback remains Moore’s health, which will influence defensive depth planning as the team shifts from preseason to regular-season preparations.