Inside the Jets-Giants matchups: Where struggling offenses, surging defense have the edge
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The Battle of New York could be the battle to see who gets to 10 points first.
Both teams enter this game playing strong defense but struggling on offense.
The Jets have the worst offense in the NFL on third down and in the red zone.
The Giants went 220 minutes and 42 seconds without scoring an offensive touchdown.
The teams are tied, along with the Titans, for the fewest touchdowns scored this season at eight.
But the defenses have been strong.
The Jets are coming off a masterpiece against the Eagles when they forced Jalen Hurts into three interceptions and Philadelphia into four total turnovers in the upset win.
The Giants sacked Washington quarterback Sam Howell six times last week and shut down the Commanders for most of the game.
We only get this matchup once every four years, and though neither team has looked like a Super Bowl contender, this is a huge game for both as they try to keep the dream alive of making the playoffs.
Both teams have backup quarterbacks starting.
Zach Wilson took over for the Jets after Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles four plays into the season.
Tyrod Taylor will make his third start in place of Daniel Jones, who is still dealing with a neck injury.
Here is how we see the game breaking down:
Giants pass offense vs. Jets pass defense
You may have heard that the Giants offense has struggled this season. They have been particularly terrible in the passing game, and this feeds right into a Jets defense that has a strong pass rush and good cornerbacks.
The Giants are 29th in the NFL in passing yards per game with 178.6. The Jets are 15th in passing defense, allowing 216.7 yards per game through the air.
The Jets have been opportunistic with eight interceptions this season. Those have come against some of the top quarterbacks in Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. Tyrod Taylor will now try to test the Jets defense, which gets back cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed this week.
Up front, the Giants offensive line, which could have two backups starting at tackle because of injuries, could have a long day trying to stop Quinnen Williams, Bryce Huff and Jermaine Johnson. The Giants have allowed 37 sacks this season, the second-most in the league.
The Giants have cleared 200 passing yards just twice this season. The offense has made some strides with Taylor at quarterback. Tight end Darren Waller is having a greater impact than earlier in the season, but this is going to be a tough task against a ferocious Jets defense.
Edge: Jets
Giants run offense vs. Jets run defense
Saquon Barkley returned from a high ankle sprain to give the Giants run game life over the past two weeks. Barkley rushed for 93 yards against the Bills and 77 yards against the Commanders. He also caught a touchdown against Washington.
The Jets have been victimized by explosive runs this season. They are 26th overall in rushing defense, allowing 135.2 yards per game. But it has really been the big plays that have killed them. The Chiefs and Broncos both had long runs against them.
The Jets did hold the Eagles to 80 rushing yards in their last game before their bye week. It was the first time they held an opponent to less than 100 yards rushing since Week 1 against the Bills.
Barkley comes into this game with some added motivation. He grew up as a Jets fan but had one of the worst games of his career against them in 2019. Barkley rushed for only 1 yard on 13 carries in the Giants’ loss. He should be able to top that total on Sunday, but by how much?
Edge: Giants
Jets pass offense vs. Giants pass defense
For all of the positivity the Jets are pushing about Zach Wilson, the team’s passing game remains stuck in the mud. They are the worst passing team in the NFL, averaging just 159.5 yards per game passing. They have thrown just four passing touchdowns, ahead of only the Titans.
Wilson has shown improvement with his footwork and decision making, but he has not been getting the Jets into the end zone. He has not thrown a touchdown pass since the Oct. 1 game against the Chiefs.
Wilson also figures to be under plenty of pressure Sunday. Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is known for bringing the heat, and the Jets have given up 20 sacks this season. The Jets will have backups playing at right guard and right tackle. The Giants are coming off a six-sack game against the Commanders.
The Jets will have to find a way to slow down Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Giants rookie cornerback Deonte Banks has talked openly about wanting to face Jets star Garrett Wilson after the two played each other in college in 2019. Wilson is the key to the Jets passing game and could thrive against the man-to-man coverage the Giants favor.
Edge: Giants
Jets run offense vs. Giants run defense
With their passing game struggling, the Jets will be leaning on their running game in this one, specifically second-year star Breece Hall. The Giants have been susceptible to the run this season, allowing 137.3 yards per game rushing. But last week they held an opponent under 100 yards for the first time this season. Linebackers Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke will be flying around.
The Jets are averaging 117.5 rushing yards per game. They had 234 against the Broncos before the Eagles held them to just 89 in their last game. Hall has looked explosive in his return from ACL surgery and is averaging 6.5 yards per attempt. He is a threat to go to the end zone every time he touches the ball.
Edge: Jets
Special teams
The Giants have had issues returning punts with two muffs last week, and they could have a new returner back there Sunday in Gunner Olszewski. The Jets are down some of their better coverage players, with Justin Hardee on IR and Irv Charles not expected to play.
Xavier Gipson is fully healthy and should be the Jets’ returner again. He had issues of his own two games ago in Denver with two muffed punts, but the Jets love what the rookie brings as a returner.
At kicker, Giants kicker Graham Gano missed a 42-yarder but is 10-of-14 on the season. Greg Zuerlein has stabilized a Jets kicking situation that has been a revolving door for years. He has missed only one field goal this season and was 4-of-4 against the Eagles two weeks ago, keeping the Jets in the game.
Punter Thomas Morstead also has been a steady force for the Jets this season.
Edge: Jets
Coaching
Brian Daboll brought the Giants to the playoffs and won Coach of the Year in 2022, but things have not gone as smoothly in his second season with Big Blue. The Giants are 2-5 and trying to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has gotten plenty of attention this week inside the Jets’ meeting rooms. They know Martindale could come out with an aggressive game plan against them.
Jets coach Robert Saleh saw his team’s plan for this season vanish in the first offensive series of the season when Aaron Rodgers went down. Saleh has done a good job of holding the team together ,and the Jets have bounced back from a 1-3 start to get to 3-3 with winnable games left on the schedule. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett needs to figure out how to get the ball in the end zone more or the Jets will not be able to sustain their recent winning ways.
Edge: Push
Intangibles
The Giants have a long list of injuries and could be without both of their starting tackles this week as well as quarterback Daniel Jones.
The Jets have injuries of their own to deal with, but they are getting back cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed from their concussions, which should give the defense a boost.
It is a Giants home game, and it will be interesting to see how the crowd breaks down. Jets fans are excited after the upset win over the Eagles, and they could show up in good numbers to the MetLife Stadium showdown.
The Jets have an edge in rest coming off their bye week. That has not helped them recently, though. They have lost their past seven games following a bye.
Edge: Jets
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