Best Of Social Media: Preseason Week 1 Giants vs Patriots

For the first time in 2022, the New England Patriots were back in game action as the preseason schedule opened up against the New York Giants and former coach Brian Daboll.

Although most of the projected opening week starters didn’t suit up, the game provided opportunities for bubble players and rookies to show off their abilities to the coaching staff.

Quarterback Brian Hoyer got the start for the Patriots and completed 5/8 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. In relief, rookie Bailey Zappe was 19 of 32 for 205 yards with a touchdown.

Kristian Wilkerson led all Patriots receivers with eight catches for 99 yards as Tyquan Thornton and Lil’Jordan Humphrey each recorded receiving touchdowns. Running Back Kevin Harris added a three-yard rushing score.

On defense, two standouts on the night were cornerback Terrance Mitchell, who forced a fumble and finished with four tackles, and Linebacker Mack Wilson recorded five tackles and earned a quarterback hit.

However, a field goal by Giants kicker Graham Gano on the Giants’ final drive of the game gave the visitors a 23-21 win.

“We did a lot of things in this game that is going to be beneficial in the long run, whether it was on the coaching staff, playing time, players that played, and so forth. That’s all part of the process,” head coach Bill Belichick said postgame. “We’ll work it out.”

You can view some of the best social media sights and sounds from Thursday night in Foxboro below.

Mac Jones swung by and talked with Brian Daboll, the Giants new coach. Jones isn’t expected to play much, if at all, but came out to warm up. pic.twitter.com/Rjn9O6a7qQ

— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) August 11, 2022

https://twitter.com/ZackCoxNESN/status/1558133806158282758?s=20&t=y6dxVQFvwV3ktHu0k5Oivg

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1557876464762200070?s=20&t=yHWPec7LbF_3An2VUoleBQ

https://twitter.com/mikekadlick/status/1558510403445002242?s=20&t=yHWPec7LbF_3An2VUoleBQ

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1557878676817158144?s=20&t=yHWPec7LbF_3An2VUoleBQ

https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1557880731178741766?s=20&t=yHWPec7LbF_3An2VUoleBQ

https://twitter.com/JoeGiza/status/1557894359395319808?s=20&t=yHWPec7LbF_3An2VUoleBQ

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1557896503691284481?s=20&t=yHWPec7LbF_3An2VUoleBQ

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1557898021165154304?s=20&t=yHWPec7LbF_3An2VUoleBQ

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1557898340209131521?s=20&t=yHWPec7LbF_3An2VUoleBQ

It's the second half of a preseason game, but a number of Patriots veterans are still paying close attention.

Jalen Mills, Matthew Slater, Jabrill Peppers and Matthew Judon all just argued that Wilkerson was interfered with on that last deep ball.

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 12, 2022

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1557911732017848321?s=20&t=yHWPec7LbF_3An2VUoleBQ

FINAL

Giants 23
Patriots 21

ZAPPE: 19/32, 205 yards, TD, INT
STRONG: 6 car, 25 yards
WILKERSON: 8 rec, 99 yards
HUMPHREY: 6 rec, 62 yards, TD
NIXON: 4 rec, 81 yards
THORNTON: 2 rec, 9 yards, TD
ELLIOTT: 8 tkl, TFL
WADE: 4 tkl, PBU
UCHE: 2 tkl, sack
T. MITCHELL: Forces fumble

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) August 12, 2022

Mac Jones (who had the night off) and Daniel Jones get together after the first preseason game. The Giants won with a FG at the end pic.twitter.com/XFFko7rJGv

— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) August 12, 2022

Tyquan Thornton on wearing Julian Edelman's old Patriots number: "Julian, he was a great receiver. I'm proud to wear that number after him."

— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 12, 2022

“Anytime somebody has the ball, there’s a chance to get it.”

Patriots players react to the first preseason game. pic.twitter.com/vesm6xc5WQ

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 12, 2022