The New England Patriots and New York Giants figured to engage in a fairly mundane fourth and final preseason game Thursday night at MetLife Stadium, but an appearance from Tom Brady flipped the script in a hurry.
Although stars of Brady's ilk generally sit for the preseason finale, the four-time Super Bowl champion started and played the first half in a 17-9 loss as he prepares to serve a league-imposed four-game suspension stemming from his involvement in the Deflategate scandal.
Jimmy Garoppolo—who will start in Brady's place during his four-game ban—did not see any snaps alongside the first-team offense.