The New England Patriots take on the New York Giants in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, August 31, 2017.
New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady, left, Jacoby Brissett, center, and Jimmy Garoppolo run onto the field before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, talks to quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo, center, and Jacoby Brissett before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) and quarterback Tom Brady (12) bump fists during warm-up's before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up with teammates before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots cheerleaders and former Patriots cheerleaders perform before an NFL preseason football game between the Patriots and the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Former New England Patriots cheerleaders perform before an NFL preseason football game between the Patriots and the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, right, greets quarterback Tom Brady (12) before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, right, greets wide receiver Matthew Slater (18) before an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Cody Hollister, right, catches a touchdown pass from Jacoby Brissett as New York Giants defensive back Donte Deayon, left, defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Cody Hollister (81) catches a touchdown pass from Jacoby Brissett as New York Giants defensive back Donte Deayon, left, defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots running back LeShun Daniels (39) runs past New York Giants defensive back Donte Deayon (38) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Giants quarterback Geno Smith (3) passes under pressure from New England Patriots nose tackle Darius Kilgo (96) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots defensive back David Jones (34) tackles New York Giants tight end Matt LaCosse (81) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady watches from the bench on the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett passes against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots defensive back David Jones, left, tackles New York Giants running back Shane Vereen during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Austin Carr scores a touchdown against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Austin Carr celebrates his touchdown with LeShun Daniels, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Austin Carr celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Austin Carr celebrates his touchdown with LeShun Daniels, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Austin Carr celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Austin Carr, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Austin Carr (84) slips an attempted tackle by New York Giants safety Nat Berhe (29) on his way to a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots players from left, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady and Matthew Slater watch from the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive end Geneo Grissom (92) celebrates a tackle against the New York Giants with Nick Usher, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Giants quarterback Geno Smith (3) tries to scramble away from New England Patriots defensive end Geneo Grissom (92) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett passes against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Devin Lucien (13) catches a touchdown pass in front of New York Giants defensive back Tay Glover-Wright (47) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Devin Lucien (13) celebrates his touchdown with K.J. Maye, right, during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Members of the United States armed forces are honored during the second half of an NFL preseason football game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski applauds his teammates while watching from the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, center, eludes New York Giants defensive back Ryan Murphy (36) as he runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Devin Lucien (13) catches a touchdown pass in front of New York Giants defensive back Tay Glover-Wright (47) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots tight end Jacob Hollister spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) scrambles away from New York Giants linebacker Deontae Skinner (53) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas (2) celebrates his game-winning field goal against the New England Patriots with holder Brad Wing at the end of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) speak at midfield after an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) speak at midfield after an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) speak at midfield after an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and New York Giants running back Shane Vereen (34) speak at midfield after an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants linebacker Jonathan Casillas (52) and New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) speak at midfield after an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett speaks to the media following an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett speaks to the media following an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett departs after speaking to the media following an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick wears a University of Houston cap to show support for those affected by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, as he speaks to the media following an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick wears a University of Houston cap to show support for those affected by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, as he speaks to the media following an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, wearing a University of Houston cap to show support for those affected by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, as he departs after speaking to the media following an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett arrives to speak to the media following an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Aldrick Rosas hit a 48-yard field goal as time expired and the New York Giants earned a 40-38 win over the New England Patriots in the final exhibition game for both teams Thursday night.
The Giants scored 34 points in the first half, but the Patriots outscored them 24-3 over the final 29 minutes before Rosas' field goal. It helped salvage a night in which Geno Smith and Josh Johnson each had touchdown passes, and the Giants' defense returned an interception for a touchdown.
Third-stringer Jacoby Brissett threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns, and ran for another to nearly lead the Super Bowl champions back from a 20-point halftime deficit. Stephen Gostkowski hit a 55-yard go-ahead field goal with 44 seconds remaining.
As expected, both teams rested their key contributors in advance of Saturday's reduction to a 53-man roster.
Smith entered the night with the inside track to win the Giants' backup quarterback job behind Eli Manning. He took a big step toward locking it up, completing 10 of 11 passes for 111 yards and touchdown. Smith was signed to a one-year contract in March and was brought in to compete for the job behind Manning and has done well.
The Patriots open the regular-season at home next Thursday against Kansas City. The Giants open at Dallas on Sept. 10.
New York safety Darian Thompson was the only projected starter to see any action.
After some lackluster efforts, Johnson also had his best performance of the preseason. He completed 11 of 14 passes for 135 yards.
As strong as Brissett's performance was, it still might have been his final game for New England. Brissett started a pair of games last season during Tom Brady's four-game "Deflategate" suspension after backup Jimmy Garoppolo was injured. But it is unclear if the Patriots will keep a third quarterback with Brady available to start this season. So Thursday could have served as Brissett's audition for his next NFL team.
Tight end Matt LaCosse entered Thursday on the bubble and helped himself with touchdown catches of 25 and 2 yards. His stock also got a boost thanks to a first-half fumble by that fellow tight end Will Tye.
CYRUS JONES
The prospects for Patriots second-year DB Cyrus Jones surviving Saturday's roster cut took a major hit early in the second quarter when he left with a right knee injury. New England selected Jones 60th overall in the 2016 draft. He got his feet tangled while defending a deep pass along the sideline to Travis Rudolph and tumbled to the turf. He needed the help of two trainers to get off the field.
The Patriots originally had high hopes for Jones, a star at Alabama as a defensive back and kick returner. But he struggled throughout last season, with fumble issues on special teams. He was a healthy scratch for five of New England's final six games, including the entire postseason run.
Jones has shown improvement in ball security this preseason. But he'd also made mistakes in coverage that left him on the bubble to make the roster.
BECKHAM SIGHTING
Giants receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. made the trip with the team and was spotted by television cameras before the game catching some balls while lying on the ground. Beckham was not wearing any kind of brace or boot on the left ankle he injured in the first half of New York's exhibition loss at Cleveland Aug. 21.
INJURIES
Patriots:Defensive lineman Woodrow Hamilton limped off with a right leg injury in the second quarter.
