Byline: Ralph Vacchiano
FOXBORO, Mass. _ The final tune-up for Eli Manning and the Giants was a short one against the New England Patriots on Thursday night. Considering the Patriots didn't play a single starter, it was an easy one, too.
Most importantly, though, it was a good one, especially for a quarterback and an offense that have slowly been getting on a roll.
Manning completed 5 of his 8 passes for 58 yards and directed a game-opening, 16-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. That allowed him to leave with a 7-0 lead in a game the Giants eventually lost, 27-20.
"That's what you want in your final preseason game," Manning said. "You want to come out and have one ...