The New York Giants (2-5) will look to build momentum heading into November with a "visit" from the New York Jets (3-3) this Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants broke their four-game losing streak in last week's 14-7 victory over the Commanders, while the Jets enjoyed their bye following back-to-back wins over the Broncos and Eagles. Here are three keys to victory before the calendar turns:
No Hall pass for Zach Wilson
The Jets are 3-12 when quarterback Zach Wilson has to throw more than 26 times (one of those victories came in overtime, when the former second overall draft pick attempted seven passes after the end of regulation). In addition, Wilson has completed fewer than 20 passes in all seven of his wins as a starter since 2022.
Conversely, the Jets are 6-1 when second-year running back Breece Hall carries the ball at least 10 times and 7-1 when he has at least 70 yards from scrimmage. The former second-round pick currently leads the NFL with 6.45 yards per carry and has the longest run (83 yards in Week 1 vs. Buffalo) of the NFL season heading into Week 8.
Protect "The Duke"
The Giants are starting to take away the ball – all six of their forced turnovers have come in the past three weeks – but protecting it comes first and foremost against the Jets. Only the Jaguars (16) and Bills (14) have more takeaways than the Jets, who have 13 on eight interceptions and five fumble recoveries. Within those numbers are takeaways against some of the best quarterbacks in the game - they intercepted Buffalo's Josh Allen three times, Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes twice, and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts three more times.
Lean on the rookies
Jalin Hyatt has only nine receptions in his young career, but four of them have gone for more than 30 yards. Two of those big plays led to touchdowns while the other two came before an uncharacteristic 42-yard miss by field goal kicker Graham Gano and Saquon Barkley's even more uncharacteristic fumble inside Washington's 10-yard line last week.
Meanwhile, cornerback Deonte Banks recorded his first NFL interception last week to bring a little more noise to what had been a quietly strong start to his career. The first-round draft choice out of Maryland put himself on the map with a strong collegiate showing against Marvin Harrison Jr., and this week he will take on another Ohio State standout receiver in Garrett Wilson, who leads the Jets with 32 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns.
Stats to impress your fellow football fans
The Jets are 0-2 with 8.0 points per game and 32.0 points per game allowed after a bye under Robert Saleh.
- Lost 54-13 at Patriots in Week 7, 2021
- Lost 10-3 at Patriots in Week 11, 2022
The last time the Jets and Giants met when both won their previous game was Week 16, 1988.
The Jets and Giants have not made the playoffs in the same season since 2006.
Darren Waller leads the Giants with 35 catches and 380 yards. He has the third-most receiving yards among NFL tight ends (behind Travis Kelce and T.J. Hockenson).
The Giants have allowed 10.5 points per game in their last two outings (fewest in NFL since Week 6).
- Weeks 1-5: 30.6 PPG allowed, 378.0 total YPG allowed, 5 sacks
- Weeks 6-7: 10.5 PPG allowed, 285.0 total YPG allowed, 6 sacks
Since 2022, the Jets have scored 17.8 points per game (31st in NFL) and allowed 18.9 points per game (fourth in NFL).
View rare photos from the all-time series between the Giants and Jets.
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