Jets vs. Giants: Full New York Giants Preview
The Jets and Giants will meet for the first time in the regular season since Christmas Eve of 2011, when Victor Cruz dashed 99 yards for a touchdown and put coal in both the Jets’ stockings and playoff hopes.
This game comes with playoff implications as well, as the Giants (5-6) are in a tie atop the NFC East and the Jets (6-5) share the same record as five other AFC teams. While the players have tried to downplay the rivalry and are attempting to treat this one as any other game, there is a lot on the line between these two residents of MetLife Stadium.
There are plenty of storylines to watch out for, and I’ll break them down in the coming slides to get you prepared for Sunday’s all-New York tilt.
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Week 12 Results and Recap
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In their biggest game of the year, the Giants failed to show up until the fourth quarter and allowed a subpar Redskins team to tie them atop the division.
With their 20-14 defeat, the Giants made their path to the postseason even more difficult, when the NFC East is as bad as it's ever been and represents a black cloud on the sport.
If the Giants give a similar effort Sunday, they'll be trampled, as the Jets don't have a high-octane offense but have been be quite effective at times.
News and Notes
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To Lawrence Taylor, It’s No Contest in N.Y.
Apparently, there's nothing the Jets can do Sunday to overtake the city...at least according to one former New York Giants legend.
“The Giants pretty much own New York. We’ve done more,” Taylor said, according to Gary Myers of the New York Daily News. “We’ve got better fans and more fans than the Jets do. We’ve got four Super Bowls behind us. Until they win some Super Bowls, the conversation is over with. Like I said, the conversation is over with.”
In fairness, recent history has proved that both teams are horrible, as they've missed the playoffs with regularity. Perhaps this year, one team can break through and find a way to get to the postseason.
JPP Downplays Rivalry with Jets
With New York football bragging rights and a potential playoff berth on the line Sunday, Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is making it out to be just a regular game.
"It's not a rivalry. We share a stadium," Pierre-Paul said, per Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
Apparently, the meeting was a lot juicier when Rex Ryan was manning the sidelines for the Jets, as this matchup lacks the boisterous comments and bulletin-board material that the one in 2011 provided.
Latest Injury News
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It’s utterly surprising when the Giants get some good news on the injury front.
After seeing their offensive line get decimated by injuries last week against the Redskins, the Giants have hope of that change against the Jets front line.
Although Geoff Schwartz is out for the year, both guard Justin Pugh (concussion) and center Weston Richburg (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity, according to the team’s official injury report.
Protecting Eli Manning will be a big key to the game, as Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and company can make it a long day for the Giants offense.
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Key Matchups
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Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Jets Cornerbacks
The possibility of the glorious Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Darrelle Revis showdown we were all hoping for seems to be waning by the second due to Revis' concussion.
“If he doesn’t do anything in the next two days, he probably will be [out],” Jets head coach Todd Bowles said, per Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday.
Revis' absence may make this more of a matchup to watch, as Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine are likely going to have to try to cover Beckham.
While they're both good players, Cromartie has surely lost a step in his return to Gang Green, and Skrine is only 5'9". Dolphins wideout Jarvis Landry totaled 13 catches and 165 yards last week against the Jets secondary without Revis, and Beckham could be in line for even better numbers.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie vs. Brandon Marshall
Traded for a fifth-round pick in the offseason, wide receiver Brandon Marshall has enjoyed a career resurgence in New York.
The 31-year-old is once again a red-zone threat, with nine touchdowns on the season to go along with 931 receiving yards. To get a perspective on his usage rate, Marshall has just one less catch and three more targets than Beckham this season.
As a favorite target of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Marshall should be heavily targeted again Sunday. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie did a good job of covering DeSean Jackson last week; however, when he left the field briefly due to injury, Jackson hammered the Giants with a 63-yard touchdown. Rodgers-Cromartie will need to be even better this weekend if the Giants want to win.
Matchup X-Factors
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Giants X-Factor of the Week: Will Tye
Tight end Will Tye has gone from an undrafted rookie to an X-factor in the biggest game of the season.
With Larry Donnell expected to be out for a while, Tye has a stronghold on the starting job and has produced well to date.
He has a tough matchup this weekend against a strong group of Jets linebackers, but if he can create some space and open up the middle of the field, the Giants offense will become more versatile.
Without Darrelle Revis, the Jets are going to be throwing the book at Odell Beckham Jr., which means that Eli Manning will have to make plays to his other weapons to create some single coverage for Beckham.
Tye set career highs in catches (six), targets (eight) and receiving yards (74) last week against the Redskins.
Prediction: Giants 26, Jets 24
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This game is going to come down to the wire and possibly a late, game-winning two-minute drill from Eli Manning to top the Jets.
Though the Giants are just 1-4 in games decided by five points or fewer, this one is going to stay close throughout, and Manning will be able to work his magic for a late comeback.
The Jets won't pull away from the Giants, which will give Manning an opportunity to play the hero. The Giants have a clear advantage at the quarterback position, and though that didn't matter much last week against the Redskins, it can make a big difference Sunday.
Given Ryan Fitzpatrick's unpredictability, Manning and the Giants are the safe play here. It'll be close, but they have the better man under center, and he gets to throw to the best offensive weapon (Beckham) on both teams. Though the Jets defense will make life hard for the Giants at times, especially in the run game, this is going to be a game where Manning carries the Giants to victory.
Typically, the Giants get up for these sorts of games anyway, like the classic against the New England Patriots several weeks ago. They've shown the ability to rise to the occasion and competition.
Prediction: Giants 26, Jets 24
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