AT A GLANCE

The Giants scored through the air, on the ground, and via the defense, but it wasn't enough in a 31-27 loss to the Jets at MetLife Stadium. The Giants, who hosted the Jets for a joint practice this week, finished the preseason with a 2-1 record. Now the real works begins.

UP NEXT

The Giants must reduce their active roster to 53 players by the NFL deadline of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at noon the following day. Then it's all systems go for the regular season, which kicks off Sept. 11 in Tennessee.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

*Wide receiver Sterling Shepard passed his physical this week and was activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. While he was able to practice for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon last December, Shepard did not play in the preseason finale.

*The Giants rested many of their starters on Sunday, including quarterback Daniel Jones. Taylor started in his place behind an offensive that, from left to right, consisted of Devery Hamilton, Jamil Douglas, Jon Feliciano, Max Garcia, and Will Holden.

*Taylor was hit as he completed a 25-yard pass to rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger in the first quarter and sustained a back injury. Bellinger, a fourth-round pick, had three receptions or 37 yards in the first half but left the game after being evaluated for a concussion.

*Davis Webb took over for Taylor a little earlier than expected and completed 30 of 38 passes (78.9 percent) for 202 yards and a touchdown to tight end Austin Allen. Webb, who is in his second stint with the Giants and also spent time with the Jets in addition to the Bills, capped a strong preseason. He also completed 22 of 27 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns in a comeback win last week over the Bengals. Coach Brian Daboll said he would be open to keeping three quarterbacks on the roster if it made sense for the team.

*Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka once again called plays for the offense. Daboll was asked this past week if he had made a decision on the regular season, saying that he will have a final answer the week before the opener. Daboll added that he has "a lot of confidence" in Kafka.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

*Rookie Micah McFadden continued his impressive preseason by punching the ball out of running back Michael Carter's hands on the opening drive. Fellow inside linebacker Austin Calitro recovered the fumble for his second takeaway of the preseason. The veteran, who signed with the Giants at the start of training camp, also had an interception in the opener in New England.

*Calitro struck again early in the second quarter with a pick-six off Joe Flacco, who was under pressure from outside linebacker Oshane Ximines. Calitro also added a tackle for loss, for good measure.

*Defensive back Nathan Meadors led the team with 12 tackles (eight solo).

*Rookie outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick in the draft, suffered a sprained MCL last week vs. Cincinnati. "I'd say it's day-to-day really," Daboll said this week. "I'm not forecasting when a player can come back or not come back. I know he'll come in and get treatment. We'll take it day-by-day, and when he's ready to go out there, that's when we'll put him out there."

*On Friday, Daboll revealed a list of players who would not be in uniform for the game. In addition to Thibodeaux, the list included fellow outside linebackers Azeez Ojulari and Elerson Smith; wide receivers Sterling Shepard and C.J. Board; offensive linemen Shane Lemieux, Josh Ezeudu, Ben Bredeson and Garrett McGhin; cornerback Rodarius Williams; safety Dane Belton; and kicker Graham Gano.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS

*With Graham Gano (concussion) sidelined, the Giants signed Ryan Santoso this week to kick in the Jets game. Santoso, who was with the Giants last summer before being traded to Carolina, made both of his field goal attempts, including a 49-yarder to put the Giants ahead by three points with 2:02 left in the game. He also handled kickoff duties.

*That meant Jamie Gillan could go back to focusing on his day job. The Scottish Hammer averaged 55.6 yards on five punts (long of 67 yards) a week after he took over for Gano mid-game.

IN-GAME INJURY REPORT

*QB Tyrod Taylor (back), DL Jalyn Holmes (evaluated for a concussion), TE Daniel Bellinger (evaluated for a concussion)

GAME CAPTAINS

*LS Casey Kreiter, ILB Cam Brown