Jimmy Garoppolo has been consistent if nothing else for Patriots

Jimmy Garoppolo has played in eight pre-season games in his NFL career and he’s been as consistent as it gets.

In a 34-22 Patriots victory over New Orleans Thursday night at Gillette Stadium, Garoppolo turned in typical numbers. He hit on 11-of-18 passes for 168 yards, did not throw a touchdown pass but was not picked off either. He was sacked twice and finished with a 91.9 rating.

Here’s some pre-season comparison, numbers we pointed out heading into Thursday’s game:
In the first pre-season game against the Packers last year, Garoppolo hit on 20-of-30 passes for 159 yards, zero TDs and one interception. In the next 2015 pre-season game, Garoppolo went 28-of-33 for 269 yards, one touchdown and one TD. In pre-season game No. 3 against Carolina, he went 13-of-17 for 126 yards, one TD and zero INTs. He did not throw a ball in the fourth pre-season game against the Giants.

In the 2014 pre-season, Garoppolo completed 46-of-79 passes total for 618 yards, five touchdowns and one INT. He finished that pre-season with a 99.0 passer rating.

“It was a good experience [Thursday], being put in a difficult situation,” Garoppolo said of a slow start Thursday. “I think we reacted in the right way.”

Garoppolo will get his next shot at proving his worth as a starting NFL QB next Thursday when the Pats host the Chicago Bears at Gillette (8 p.m., WBZ).