Johnson, the incumbent journeyman, played well in the first half of Thursday's Preseason finale against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Smith was better, though, before him, and has been superior on the whole this preseason, avoiding costly turnovers - his major issue earlier this summer - in the final two exhibition games.
Smith hit tight end Matt LaCosse (another ex-Jet, albeit for a few days), for a 25-yard scoring pass in the first quarter.
He then led another scoring drive that concluded early in the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal by kicker Aldrick Rosas.
Johnson, who was the Giants' third-string quarterback for most of last season before taking over as the backup after Ryan Nassib had season-ending shoulder surgery, went 11-for-14 passing at the break for 135 yards and a touchdown.
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