Brady plays 1st half vs. Giants in tuneup for suspension

Brady completed 16 of 26 passes for 166 yards, a touchdown and an interception as the Patriots (3-1) missed out a flawless preseason in a 17-9 loss to the Giants (2-2).

“We wouldn’t activate a player unless we had the medical department clear them and we felt like he would be able to perform and participate”, Belichick said. “I just have to prepare to do everything I can to help him out”. I know he’s going to do everything and as a team, we’re going to do everything we have to do to go out there and win. “You only get four preseason games”.

“It’s pretty cool that we got that banner”, Edelman said.

Tom Brady’s game with the New England Patriots against the New York Giants for the preseason finale was more than just a pick-up match. The two players swapped jerseys.

With the ensuing drive starting on the Patriots’ 25-yard line, Brady backed the Giants into the red zone, the key play being a 38-yard connection with receiver Aaron Dobson to the Giants’ 19-yard line. “A bit frustrating, but hopefully all our guys can learn from it”, said Tom Brady after the game.

Brady’s receivers didn’t show the usual Patriots poise, as Dobson continued to be a talented pass-catcher prone to mental lapses and newcomer Martellus Bennett was stripped after coming down with a reception in the first quarter. That might have clinched a roster spot for Adams, an undrafted rookie from CT. He didn’t even notice Giants journeyman cornerback Trevin Wade, immediately break for the ball.

The ensuing two-point conversion attempt, a pass from Brady to receiver Chris Hogan, failed, leaving the Patriots with a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Visit ESPN for more on 30 Days Without Brady and the countdown to his comeback. In the second quarter, Perkins dropped a swing pass. Perkins did come back with two catches out of the backfield on a drive late in the second quarter.

King, a member of the Giants practice squad last season who has been making a strong push this summer for a roster spot, finished his big night catching 4 of 5 pass targets for 80 yards; he also finished with a team-leading three touchdowns this summer.

“The first year for any kind of quarterback, it’s a complete culture shock of how insane the game is and how complex the game is”, said Edelman, who played quarterback at Kent State before being shifted to receiver in the pros.

CB Leon Hall (concussion) did not play but he was on the field working out prior to the game, a good sign that he will be cleared for this week’s work heading into the opener.