New York football fans cannot catch a break.
Optimism seemed reasonable last spring when the Giants were coming off their first playoff win since Super Bowl XLVI, and the Jets traded for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Come autumn, the Giants have regressed, the Jets immediately lost Rodgers to injury, and neither team is above .500 entering their rivalry game Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
The quadrennial regular-season showdown may feature backup quarterbacks on both sides, as the Giants (2-5) have yet to clear Daniel Jones for contact two-plus weeks after he injured his neck. Tyrod Taylor would start for the Giants against the Jets’ Zach Wilson if Jones cannot play.
Between the teams, the Jets (3-3) are in better shape coming off their bye. In Weeks 4-6, they played the Kansas City Chiefs close in a three-point loss before beating the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles.
Wilson got off to a discouraging start in Rodgers’ place, but he completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 630 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in those three games. Jets coach Robert Saleh said the team’s trust in Wilson is growing.
“As far as game-planning and trying to figure (things) out, we’re not trying to hide Zach at all,” Saleh said.
But the Jets’ saving grace has been a defense that has yielded just 19.8 points per game. Their eight interceptions have come off the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen (three), Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (two) and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts (two).
“I say they have a really good front four,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “Call it more than a front four with the amount of times they rotate in there. Two good cover corners (Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed). … This is a challenging defense to get ready for, and it shows.”
Both Gardner and Reed missed the upset of the previously unbeaten Eagles while in concussion protocol, but they were full participants at Wednesday’s practice. Wide receiver Randall Cobb (shoulder) and rookie O-lineman Joe Tippman (quad) did not practice, while starting tackle Mekhi Becton (knee) was limited.
The Giants hope to take positives from their 14-7 win over the Washington Commanders last week that ended both a four-game losing streak and a three-game offensive touchdown drought. Taylor threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns, and Saquon Barkley ran for 77 yards and caught the go-ahead score.
Jones and Taylor have combined to take 36 sacks as the Giants’ offensive line struggles to get healthy. Left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring), an All-Pro last season, has not played since Week 1.
“Obviously I want to be on the field,” Thomas said. “We only have a few opportunities to guarantee each season and I missed quite a few of them, so it doesn’t feel good.”
Thomas and tackle Evan Neal (ankle) were limited at practice Wednesday, as were Barkley (elbow) and Jones. Barkley hyperextended his elbow against Washington but did not miss much time. Jones is “getting better,” according to Daboll, but hasn’t increased his practice workload.
Also limited: tight end Darren Waller (hamstring), linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee), cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (neck), kicker Graham Gano (left knee) and rookie center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder). Running back Gary Brightwell (hamstring) sat out.
The fact the rivalry only gets a regular-season edition every four years may heighten the emotions around it. The Jets have won the past two matchups, but the Giants lead the series 8-6.
“A lot of respect for them. They’ve got tremendous history,” Saleh said. “I think Daboll does a great job … I think it’s fun. It’s my first experience (in the rivalry), so I’ll let you know after the game.”
–Field Level Media
