Watch Highlights: Giants Beat Patriots 40-38 To End Preseason

Geno Smith had a big night at Gillette Stadium on Thursday,  completing ten of 11 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown to lead the New York Giants to a 40-38 victory over the New England Patriots.

Giants vs. Patriots highlights

Smith was signed to a one-year contract in March and was brought in to compete for the starting quarterback job behind Eli Manning.

“I just want to go out there and play good football,” said the Giants’ backup QB. “Every day I’ve been getting better, and getting a clearer understanding of how the coach wants things done.”

Giants coach Ben McAdoo complimented Smith on his performance.

“We know he can throw it,” McAdoo said. “And he didn’t have any critical errors.”

Aldrick Rosas hit the game-winning, 48-yard field goal as time expired. Another of the team’s backup quarterbacks, rookie Davis Webb (third-round draft pick) led the Giants on that final drive.

New York scored 34 points in the first half, although New England outscored the visitors 24-3 over the final 29 minutes before Rosas’ field goal. Josh Johnson also caught a 25-yard touchdown pass, and defensive end Kerry Wynn picked off Jacoby Brissett midway through the first quarter to give the Giants a 14-7 lead.

A 14-yard touchdown pass from Brissett to Austin Carr put the Patriots within three points.

Shaun Draughn then scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to stretch the Giants’ advantage back to ten points.

Brissett — who finished with four touchdowns for 341 yards — tossed a TD to Devin Lucien and also ran in a touchdown in the fourth quarter before throwing another touchdown pass to put New England within two. Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski then scored a 55-yard field goal with 44 seconds remaining.

The Patriots open the regular-season at home on Thursday against Kansas City.

“That was fun. Makes you feel like a kid again,” Brissett said.

The Giants will kick off their season at Dallas on Sept. 10.

FOXBORO, MA – AUGUST 31: Jacoby Brissett #7 of the New England Patriots runs the ball in to the end zone as Ryan Murphy #36 of the New York Giants defends in the second half during a preseason game on August 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)