The Giants took on the Patriots on Thursday night. Here are some of the things we learned from the game and the advanced statistics:
* Daniel Jones started the preseason with an efficient drive, taking the team 13 plays for 68 yards for a 25-yard field goal. Jones made good and quick decisions on the drive, which included back-to-back 17-yard completions and a 6-yard run to convert a third down. Jones' second drive was short-circuited by three pressures on consecutive plays leading to a 3rd-and-18 and a punt.
* Fans got a good feel for what the offense will look like this season with a lot of shotgun and formations featuring at least three wide receivers. There was not a lot of pre-snap motion, which is not surprising given teams do not want to show their full offensive package in the preseason. We saw how the offense will create some easy throws that can turn into big gains.
* Collin Johnson led the Giants in targets with eight, and in receptions with seven. The only incompletion to him was a high pass over the middle - he went airborne and the ball hit off his hands and landed in the grasp of Richie James. Johnson came on a 3rd-and-2 from the Giants' 22 on their second drive. He was being pressed at the line by veteran Malcolm Butler. At the snap, he used his length and strength to legally push off Butler within the first five yards, which created the space necessary to complete a 13-yard completion for a first down. Johnson fumbled once in the game, but it looked like he was holding the ball high and tight, but it didn't stop Terrance Mitchell from making a good play and punching the ball out cleanly.
* The Giants' running backs had their moments, combining for 29 rushes for 158 yards. Saquon Barkley and Co. did well getting downhill quickly. With Matt Breida out, there were a lot of snaps available for the backups. Jashaun Corbin showed off his combination of quickness and explosiveness with 23 rushing yards and five catches for 28 yards. Gary Brightwell and Antonio Williams ran with power and broke tackles. Sandro Platzgummer helped set up the game-winning field goal with three rushes for 21 yards on the game's final drive.
* Overall, the Giants' offense finished with 418 yards and only had two three-and-outs.
View photos from the preseason opener between the Giants and Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) hands off to running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the first half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants safety Trenton Thompson (39) tries to bring down New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants quarterback Davis Webb (12) passes under pressure from New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (58) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) celebrates his touchdown pass with coach Brian Daboll during the second half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants wide receiver Richie James, left, celebrates his touchdown against the New England Patriots with quarterback Tyrod Taylor during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants linebacker Quincy Roche (95) rushes New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
New York Giants wide receiver Richie James (80) steps into the end zone for a touchdown in front of New England Patriots safety Brad Hawkins, behind, during the first half of a preseason NHL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball as New England Patriots defensive tackle Carl Davis Jr. (98) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants' Graham Gano (9) kicks a field goal from the hold of Jamie Gillan (17), as New England Patriots cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones prepares to throw a pass against the New England Patriots during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones tosses the ball to running back Saquon Barkley during the first half of the team's preseason NFL football game gainst the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New York Giants wide receiver Collin Johnson (15) is brought down by New England Patriots cornerback Terrance Mitchell during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants safety Trenton Thompson (39) brings down New England Patriots wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey (83) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots safety Jalen Elliott grabs the leg of New York Giants running back Antonio Williams (21) in the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants' Graham Gano (9) kicks the winning field goal from the hold of Jamie Gillan, as New England Patriots cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) defends during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. The Giants won 23-21. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Giants offensive tackle Devery Hamilton (62), running back Antonio Williams (21) and quarterback Davis Webb (12) celebrate a touchdown by Williams against the New England Patriots during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
* The Giants' defense was very aggressive, especially for a preseason game. They blitzed on 48% of the Patriots' passing snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and managed 12 pressures during the game. The Patriots attacked this approach the way other teams may do it in the regular season, by throwing the ball downfield. New England was 4-of-11 on passes down the field of 20+ yards. There were also two penalties (one accepted) on those plays.
* According to PFF, cornerback Zyon Gilbert was targeted in coverage a team-high seven times, followed by cornerbacks Aaron Robinson and Gavin Heslop who were targeted six times each.
* Rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux only had eight pass rush opportunities in the game, and didn't manage a pressure per PFF, although he seemed to have a plan on most plays and eventually found his way around the right tackle.
* Recent LB addition Austin Calitro finished the game with four tackles, a quarterback hit and an interception. PFF also tracked him with three quarterback hurries. Rookie Cor'Dale Flott split his snaps between slot and outside corner and he didn't allow any big plays before leaving with a groin injury. Rookie Darrian Beavers had a tackle for loss in his 27 defensive snaps.
*After splitting time between guard and tackle at practice the last two weeks, rookie Josh Ezeudu took all 40 of his snaps at left guard after Shane Lemieux left the game with a toe injury. Rookie Wan'Dale Robinson played 14 snaps. Daniel Bellinger led all skill-position players with 42 snaps and finished with one catch for five yards.
