Jets vs. Giants: Who Has the Edge?

The Jets and Giants kickoff their battle for New York (New Jersey) at 1:00 p.m. The Giants have the history, and the Jets have had the recent success.  This season both teams have been inconsistent. Before the season started, the Jets were supposed to be one of the best teams in football, and the Giants were supposed to struggle and fall behind both the Cowboys and Eagles in the NFC East.

Now in Week 16, both teams are fighting to get into the playoffs. The Giants are 7-7. A loss and a Cowboys win will knock them out of the playoffs. The Jets are 8-6 and currently sit as the sixth team in the conference.

This game means a lot to both teams and the trash talk has not disappointing. Both teams are going to be coming in guns hot and trying to make sure that they are playing past Week 17.

Quarterback: Eli Manning Against the Jets' D

Manning is having the best season of his career. None of that was shown last week, as he struggled to complete a pass against the Redskins.

Eli Manning has done a good job this season of picking up defensive blitz plays. Now he is going up against one of the best passing defenses in football. TE Jake Ballard is out and Mario Manningham looks like he is out, which is a blow to the Giants' attack. The Jets struggle over the middle and against good tight ends, which the Giants are lacking.

Revis will likely put Hakeem Nicks on Revis Island, leaving Manning with Victor Cruz as the only person to throw to. That, however, is not a bad option, because Cruz is too quick for Cromartie, even with Comartie's good speed, and could burn Cromartie, who likes to hit his receivers at the line.

Look for Cruz to get the bulk of the looks from his quarterback and if they somehow get Revis off of Nicks, the Giants' passing could have some success.

Quarterback: Mark Sanchez Against the Giants' D

Mark Sanchez has had his best year as well, despite what critics are saying, a worse offensive line and a running game that struggled early on. He still is not an elite quarterback, though, and does struggle when the running game doesn't open up the play action.

Expect the Jets to have that play action working and trying to get the ball to Dustin Keller, who will be a matchup nightmare for the Giants' defense.

The Giants' secondary has struggled this season and could struggle against Holmes and Plaxico (who will be playing with a chip on his shoulder against his old team).

The Jets' offensive line has struggled this season—more specifically, Wayne Hunter has struggled. The Giants' defense's strength is their defensive line. If the Giants put Pierre-Paul against Wayne Hunter, Mark Sanchez should get used to the MetLife grass. 

Quarterback Edge vs. Defenses

The Giants have the better quarterback but when taking the matchups against the defenses into consideration, the edge goes to the Jets.

Edge: Jets

Rushing: Giants' RBs Against Jets' D

Over the past few seasons, the Jets have had one of the best rushing defenses. This year, while they have struggled against speedy backs on the outside, they still are one of the best rushing defenses.

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are runners that will not beat you with their speed and run up the middle. If the Jets shut down the run up the middle, then the Giants' running game is going to struggle against the Jets' defense.

Rushing: Jets' RBs Against Giants' D

Shonn Greene is the key in this game. If he can get it going, it will open up the offense for the Jets.  

The Giants defense is mediocre at best against the rushing attack. Expect the recently-surging Shonn Greene to run the ball down the Giants' throats and have another good game. Maybe somewhere in the 120-yard range and a touchdown.

Rushing Edge vs. Defenses

The Jets have the obvious edge as their rushing game has been clicking recently, and the Giants' defense should not pose a bigger threat than many of their recent opponents.

Edge: Jets

Receiving: Giants Against Jets' D

Giants are going into the game without Jake Ballard and Mario Manningham. When you can spread the field with several receiving options, you can make the Jets' passing defense vulnerable. The Giants won't have that this week.

First things first, Revis is going to shut down who he covers. That person will most likely be the Giants' top receiver, Hakeem Nicks. Taking Nicks out of the equation leaves the Giants with one good option—Victor Cruz.

Cruz has become a popular target for his quarterback and could be a problem for Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie has been one of the most frustrating players this year because he shows signs of brilliance and signs of awfulness.

Cromartie has run his mouth this week and has to back it up if he wants to be able to talk in the future. Victor Cruz may be too quick for Cromartie and could burn him at the line and get some deep passes.

Receiving: Jets Against Giants' D

The Giants' secondary is not good. They have been very vulnerable against the pass this year, and the Jets' receivers are no slouches.

Santonio Holmes has a touchdown in each of his last four games. Plaxico Burress has something to prove against his former team and should be the most motivated person on the field. Dustin Keller has been a key to the Jets' success and should be a problem for the Giants. 

When looking at fantasy football, the Giants have given up the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. The Jets will look to work off the play action and spread the field on the poor Giants passing defense.

If ever their was a game where Mark Sanchez and the Jets' receivers would have a huge day, this would be it.

Receiving Edge vs. Defenses

The most important thing to look at when deciding which team has the edge receiving is the defense they are going against. 

Where the Jets possess arguably the best passing defense, the Giants have arguably the worst.

Edge: Jets