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Jimmy Garoppolo completed 11 of 18 passes for 168 yards as the New England Patriots beat the New Orleans Saints 34-22 in the preseason opener for both teams Thursday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Garoppolo, who enters the season as the Patriots' starting quarterback while Tom Brady serves his four-game Deflategate suspension, was sacked twice for a loss of 20 yards.
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Although eligible to play in the preseason, Brady was not on the sideline Thursday. He was excused by the team to attend the memorial service of a family member.
Saints starting quarterback Drew Brees completed the only pass he attempted, a deep 37-yard strike to wideout Brandin Cooks on the game's first play from scrimmage.
New Orleans backup quarterback Luke McCown finished 18-for-27 for 143 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and Garrett Grayson was 10-for-16 for 133 yards with a pick.
Mark Ingram had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs for New Orleans.
The Patriots led 17-16 at halftime and held a 24-22 lead with 13:39 remaining in the fourth quarter before Trey Flowers' 17-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.
New England's Stephen Gostkowski added a 45-yard field goal for the final margin. Gostkowski also made a 38-yarder in the second quarter.
The Patriots play host to the Chicago Bears on Aug. 18, while New Orleans visits the Houston Texans on Aug. 20.
