Post-Game Preseason 4: Patriots 3 vs. N.Y. Giants 27

See? Nothing happened.

And that's going to make Bill Belichick's coaching staff's decisions mighty difficult in the next couple days. They have just a week to prepare for Oakland, while the rest of the league (except Oakland, of course) has a couple extra days, so it is of greater urgency they make their cuts.

Belichick told WEEI's Big Show that the team can start preparing for Thursday and make cuts along the way, but that's generally not his style. Belichick is all about preparation, and if he still has to make cuts while he's working on a game plan (without an offensive coordinator, need I remind you), that's just one thing too many. Cuts first, game plan second.

That doesn't mean he, Scott Pioli and the coaches won't be watching the waiver wires through game time. If they see something they want, they will go get it. It's something of the case of sleeping with one eye open.

The toughest cuts will come at receiver and linebacker. There are probably nine receivers maneuvering for six spots. I doubt New England will carry seven receivers, especially if there are options or circumstances they can use to their advantage. Take Troy Brown. Very difficult to cut, but getting older and not quite fitting the mold of the developing offense. He decided to stay in town, show his loyalty to the team. He has a deal with Banknorth that sweetened the pot for him to stick around. The Pats can easily cut him, figuring he won't go anywhere, and if one of the other picks doesn't work out or gets injured, Brown will still be there. Is that a prediction? Well, you'll have to check my 53-man roster tomorrow.

None of the receivers were helped much by Friday's game. The offense, particularly quarterbacks Doug Flutie and Matt Cassell, played mediocre at best, so that gave the receivers little opportunity to showcase their abilities or desire. P.K Sam reportedly did a better job than most getting open, though passes in his direction were generally poor. I think Sam would be a good long-term project for New England, so if they can find a way to keep him (practice squad, IR, PUP, etc.) without putting him on the roster exactly, that will be a key decision.

As expected, with the exception of Asante Samuel, the other 21 starters plus sat out. New England was trounced much as they were last preseason's final game against Carolina. The Patriots finish the preseason 2-2, winning both on the road and losing both at home.

Don't ask Belichick, but that doesn't affect the Pats' home winning streak, currently at 20 games. Denver had 24 in 1996-98, Green Bay 25 in 1995-98, and Miami leads with 27 from 1971-74. Include ties, and Green Bay won 27 and tied 3 from 1928-33. Don't say it out loud, but New England hosts Tampa Bay on Dec. 17 and Miami on Jan. 1.

With that, we'll just quietly pretend nothing happened, like last night.