PATS ROUT GIANTS TO COMPLETE NFL PRESEASON SLATE

Undrafted Brian Hover played the entire game for the Patriots and may have earned himself a position as Tom Brady’s backup with a solid all around performance as New England topped the New York Giants 38-27 in the NFL preseason finale for both clubs.  Hover passed for 242 yards and no interceptions on 18 of 25 passing.  Most impressively, he didn’t get rattled as the Giants broke from the gate quickly to post a 21-0 first quarter lead.  The Patriots finished their NFL preseason slate at 3-1, while the Giants slumped to a 1-3 mark in exhibition play.

NFL football betting enthusiasts who took New England as +3 road underdogs cashed their tickets with the outright win.  The Patriots evened their preseason ATS mark at 2-2, while the Giants dropped to 1-3 against the number.  New York won and covered their first game of the preseason before dropping the next three straight up and against the spread.  The 65 points put on the scoreboard well exceeded the posted total of 36.  It was the third OVER in four preseason contests for both teams.

A free agent pickup out of Michigan State, Hover threw for one touchdown and led three more long drives that culminated in paydirt.   BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed for three touchdowns and after the game praised Hover’s play:

"Brian did a good job of controlling our offense. We mixed it up."

Green-Ellis had an impressive game himself, with 125 yards on 29 carries to go with the three rushing touchdowns.  Afterwards, Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick had clipped but positive comments about his play:

"Ben does a lot of things for us going back to last year.”

As well as that of QB Hover:

"Not bad. He handled the ball fairly well, threw it accurately."

The Giants’ biggest personnel decision at the moment is their third string QB, where Andre Woodson has the inside track despite a less than stellar performance.  Woodson went 6 for 19 for 98 yards with one interception.  Afterwards, he gave his take on the game:

"It took me a while to get into my rhythm and it was the worst possible game to have that happen. Last year I knew I was going to be cut. ... This year is different. It's going to be tense."

Starting QB Eli Manning played one series and backup David Carr played three before handing the reins over to Woodson for the rest of the game.  Afterwards, Manning summed up his team’s mindset:

"I think everyone is ready for the season to get going and start playing for real.”

The Giants will start ‘playing for real’ next Sunday as they host the Washington Redskins in a NFC East battle.  They’ll head to Dallas in week two for another divisional tilt against the Cowboys.  The Patriots will start their regular season next Monday night as they host the Buffalo Bills.  They’ll hit the road in week two for a game at the Meadowlands against the New York Jets.