Jets vs. Giants: Which Quarterback Has The Upper Hand?

The Giants and Jets square off today in a battle for Big Apple supremacy, and with New York bragging rights on the line and both teams fighting for their playoff lives, this game is one of Week 16's more interesting matchups.

As is often the case in a game like this, featuring two closely-matched squads, the play of the two quarterbacks may well be the difference this afternoon. While both Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Jets signal-caller Mark Sanchez have had their moments this season, each has also struggled at times.

Manning has had one of the better seasons of his eight-year NFL career in 2011, throwing for a career-high 4.362 yards entering today and posting the second highest quarterback rating of his career. But Manning is also coming off one of his worst performances of the season, failing to throw a touchdown pass while tossing three interceptions in a loss to the Washington Redskins a week ago. Now, he must contend with All-Pro cornerback Darelle Revis and a formidable Jets secondary that ranks seventh in the NFL in pass defense.

For Mark Sanchez, it's been an up-and-down season. While the third-year pro has looked great at times, with six games with a QB rating of over 90, he's also struggled mightily at times, posting a QB rating of less than 70 in four others, including a nightmarish game against the Baltimore Ravens back in Week 4.

However, it won't be the Ravens defense that Sanchez will face today. Instead, he faces a Giants secondary that ranks a morbid 29th in the National Football League in pass defense and has allowed the fourth-most touchdown passes in the league this year. Sanchez has thrown at least two touchdown passes in four of six home games this season. So, while Eli Manning may well be the better player, a much more favorable matchup gives Sanchez and Gang Green an edge through the air in the battle for the Meadowlands.