The New York Giants closed out the preseason in comeback fashion, rallying to beat the New England Patriots, 18-17, at Gillette Stadium.

Down by 14 points, Da’Rel Scott opened the fourth quarter by rumbling 65 yards on a fake punt to trim New York’s deficit to 17-10. Later in the stanza, Derrick Martin recovered a Richard Medlin fumble and scored on an 11-yard return. A successful two-point conversion put the Giants by one with 9:40 remaining.

The Giants did not play their starters at all during the game and fell behind 17-3 while their second and third units played against New England’s starters for the first quarter of the game.

Here are some quick impressions:

— You have to feel awful for Clint Sintim, who ruptured the patella tendon in his surgically repaired right knee and will be out for the season.

— Young giants linebackers Jacquian Williams, Greg Jones, Spencer Paysinger and Mark Herzlich were all impressive.

— The Giants have to find roster space for Da’Rel sScott, who now has touchdown runs of 97 and 65 yards in the preseason, and Andre Brown (21 carries for a hard-earned 68 yards Thursday).

— Jerrel Jernigan, the third-round pick from Troy, muffed another punt, bobbled a second one and dropped a pass. But, he also flashed his vast potential with a 42-yard return and brilliant catch on the game-winning two-point conversion.

The Giants have to cut five players today to reach 80. Saturday, all NFL teams have to reach the 53-man roster limit.