Giants who helped themselves vs. Patriots, Giants who didn't

With defensive end Adrian Tracy sidelined with a sore hamstring for the Giants’ 6-3 win over the New England Patriots on Wednesday, Matt Broha, Craig Marshall and particularly Adewale Ojomo had a quarterback feast. The trio accumulated a total of four sacks in the preseason finale, and Ojomo forced a fumble that led to the game-winning field goal.

“Ojo continues to do some very nice things out there,” coach Tom Coughlin said.

For undrafted rookies like Ojomo and Broha, Wednesday was the perfect finale to a dazzling preseason. Ojomo had a sack in every game, and Broha finished with 3.5. And even if the Giants can’t make room for the pair on the 53-man roster, Broha feels he did enough to impress other teams that might be interested.

“I feel like I put out some good film,” said Broha, who added that he could play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme as well. “It’s a numbers game everywhere, but it’s up to teams that need spots filled. I’d be glad to do that for any team. I’ve had a great run here.”

The biggest challenge now is weighing the promise of Ojomo and Broha against the experience of Tracy, who was completely healthy for just one preseason game. Tracy knows the defense, but Ojomo and Broha are prepared to play Week 1.

Of course, these things are never simple, and Ojomo knows the odds he’s up against.

“They have to make tough decisions, so if you don’t show what you can do and make the decisions easy for them, a guy like me wouldn’t stand a shot making this 53-man roster,” Ojomo said.

Ojomo and Broha aren’t the only players on the bubble. Here are a few performances to keep in mind with an eye toward Friday’s final roster cuts:

Who helped their cause?

• Wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan: He had been phased out of the return game against the Bears last week but fielded three punts cleanly against the Patriots. That’s significant because David Douglas, who offers many of the same skills as Jernigan, didn’t make much of a contribution on Wednesday. Now it appears as though the Giants will try to sneak Douglas onto the practice squad without another team putting in a claim. Jernigan also had a 25-yard reception.

• Jim Cordle: He saw time at guard on Wednesday, which speaks to his versatility. He’s already the team’s backup center and a favorite of offensive line coach Pat Flaherty. Cordle isn’t an amazing athlete, but he finds ways to make a difference (backup long snapper, kick-return duty, etc.).

• Wide receiver Ramses Barden: Targeted four times, Barden made four catches Wednesday night for a total of 31 yards, and he had another reception overturned by a penalty. Given his presence on special teams (he did kickoffs and kick returns), it appears his roster spot is safe for now.

• Cornerback Justin Tryon: He felt he could have had a couple of interceptions on Wednesday, but he still made four tackles and deflected a pass. Bruce Johnson missed the game with a shoulder injury, so Tryon’s chances of making the 53-man roster are very good, especially because -- as he said -- he can play on the outside and in the slot.

• Spencer Paysinger: He's battling for a linebacker spot and may have done himself a favor by returning from a mid-game leg injury. The Giants want dependable bodies, and Paysinger ended up with a team-high seven tackles. He has led New York in tackles in each of the last two preseasons.

Who hurt their cause?

• Mitch Petrus: On Wednesday night, Petrus started at right guard for Chris Snee (leg) but was beaten badly by Patriots linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, who cruised in for an easy sack of quarterback Eli Manning. The Giants did Petrus a favor by putting rookie Brandon Mosley (ankle) on IR, but he apparently didn’t reciprocate.

• Running back Andre Brown: He was involved with two fumbles, but he still gained 55 yards on 14 carries. Of course, Brown knows he may have cost himself a job on Wednesday. “For a running back, a fumble -- as [running backs] coach [Jerald] Ingram says -- is money on the ground,” Brown said.

• Matt McCants: The rookie tackle didn't do himself any favors when he was called for a holding penalty in the third quarter that put the breaks on a promising drive. The Giants settled for a Lawrence Tynes field goal and McCants -- a sixth-round pick out of UAB -- might have to settle for the practice squad. If the Giants are confident he’d clear waivers, they’d gladly save a roster spot while grooming him for the future.

Follow the Giants and Alex Raskin @CBSSportsNFLNYG and @AlexRaskinNYC.