The preseason might not count in the standings, but for the New England Patriots and New York Giants, Thursday night at MetLife Stadium will feel like more than another exhibition. Both teams are 2-0 this preseason, rebuilding with fresh faces, and trying to prove that the corner has finally turned.
This preseason has already given the Patriots an idea of the future. Their offense feels more motivated than it has in recent years, as seen by their convincing victories against Minnesota and Washington.
Preview for New York Giants vs. New England Patriots Preseason Week 3 Game
With the aid of fresh weapons, second-year quarterback Drake Maye is settling in, and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson is not wasting any time creating plays.
The defense has carried its weight too, with young corner Alex Austin turning heads in the secondary. Under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots aren’t just trying to build a roster and develop an identity. That’s why this third preseason game matters. For players on the roster bubble, one more big play could mean the difference between a locker and a release slip when final cuts come around.
On the other sideline, the Giants are feeling something they haven’t in a long time: excitement about their offense. It’s only the preseason, but scoring over 30 points in back-to-back games has made fans believe brighter days are ahead.
The biggest reason? Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. He’s been calm in the pocket, quick with his reads, and dangerous when he takes off running. Against the Jets, he even found the end zone on the ground, showing he’s got more than one way to move the offense.
For Giants fans who have seen the worst of this team, it’s a welcoming sight. Even though it’s just August, head coach Brian Daboll will have difficulty choosing his 53-man roster come September.
Telecast Details for Giants vs. Patriots Matchup
Game Details
Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
How to Watch
TV: WCVB Channel 5 (New England), WNBC, WCBS (New York)
Live Stream: NFL+, NFL Network, and Prime Video
Radio: 98.5 FM The Sports Hub (New England), WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM (New York)
Betting Line
Spread: New York -6.5
Total Points: O/U 38.5
Moneyline: New England +260, New York -320
Looking Ahead
In the Patriots, 2025 is like pressing a reset button. Following consecutive 4–13 seasons, Vrabel’s presence has brought some accountability and toughness. Henderson and left tackle Will Campbell were selected in the draft, and the front management went out and added playmakers like Stefon Diggs. The Patriots have one of the easiest schedules this season, so they could be a sneaky contender to go to the postseason.
The Giants are in a different spot. After a painful 3-14 season, they’re looking for improvement and demanding it. Bringing in Russell Wilson gives them a veteran presence, while drafting linebacker Abdul Carter and pairing him with Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux provides the defense with some bite.
But all eyes are still on the quarterback room, where Dart’s preseason rise has made the conversation more interesting than expected.
The bench reaction from Russ’ moonball 🌕 pic.twitter.com/s2kUaZIKVS
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 18, 2025
Even though Thursday’s game is only preseason, it offers a glimpse into each team’s development. The Patriots want to demonstrate that the new components can work together. For the Giants, the goal is to demonstrate that the optimism is real.
