Giants-Patriots final score: Giants fall to New England, 35-14

The under-manned New York Giants put up a surprisingly good fight Thursday night against the New England Patriots, but still lost, 35-14. The Giants are 2-4. The Patriots are 6-0.

Running backs Saquon Barkley (ankle), Wayne Gallman (concussion), tight end Evan Engram (knee) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion) all missed the game for New York.

Still, the Giants trailed by only a touchdown, 21-14, in the fourth quarter until rookie running back Jon Hilliman fumbled after catching a screen pas. Kyle Van Noy of the Patriots returned the fumble 22 yards for a touchdown to give New England a 28-14 lead with 8:43 to play.

New England had four takeaways — three interceptions of Daniel Jones and the Hilliman fumble. The Patriots also scored on a 6-yard return by Chase Winovich of a blocked Riley Dixon punt.

The Giants got two touchdowns in less than 90 seconds in the second quarter. Jones hit Golden Tate for a 64-yard touchdown, followed by Markus Golden returning a Tom Brady fumble 42 yards for a score. Lorenzo Carter forced the fumble with a strip sack.

Stat stuff

Jones went 15 of 31 for 161 yards with a touchdown pass and the three interceptions. He had a passer rating of 35.2.

Tate had 6 receptions for 102 yards, including the 64-yard score.

Hilliman had 11 carries for 38 yards, but had that critical fumble.

Brady completed 31 of 41 passes for 334 yards and one interception.

Julian Edelman caught 9 passes for 113 yards for the Patriots.

The Giants had two defenders finish with double-digit tackles. Alec Ogletree has 12 tackles (2 for loss) and a sack, and David Mayo had 11 tackles and a half-sack.

New England had the ball for 39:36 to just 20:24 for the Giants.

The Patriots had 427 yards of total offense to just 213 for the Giants.

Pat Shurmur 0 for 2 on challenges

The Giants coach challenged a first-quarter play ruled an incompletion on a pass from Brady to Edelman. Shurmur was looking for a completion with a fumble recovery by the Giants and didn’t get it. In the fourth quarter he also lost a challenge looking for defensive pass interference on a throw to Tate.

Injury news

Yet another Giant has suffered a concussion. This time, it was defensive lineman Olsen Pierre.

What’s next?

The Giants host Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals in 10 days, Sunday, Oct. 20. Game time is 1 p.m. ER