Patriots who helped their cause -- and those who didn't -

The Patriots wrapped up their preseason slate with an ugly 42-10 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night. The only good part of the game for New England is it's now over, and so is the preseason.

While many would like to scrub Thursday night's game from their memory, the 60 minutes of football matter quite a bit to the players who took the field. Everyone who played for the Patriots was fighting for something, whether it be a role or a roster spot.

Drake Maye and the bulk of New England's starters all watched the game in street clothes, which was unfortunate for them. But it paved the way for those on the bubble to make one final case to make the team. Or make the New England practice squad. Or make another team or practice squad after cut-down day next week.