Giants at Jets | Week 10 Preview

Besides establishing bragging rights, this game between two teams with a combined three wins could end up being one to forget.

This week, the struggling Giants, losers of five in a row will "visit" the equally struggling Jets, losers of three wins in a row, the latest of which is a particularly painful loss to the previously winless Miami Dolphins.

Which team has a better chance of winning what is largely anticipated to be a sloppy and uninspiring football game between two teams with lost seasons? 

It's really hard to say. The Giants will be going up against a bad Jets offense that is literally at the bottom of the league in every category, and a bad Jets defense that simply cannot rush the passer and which has 13 sacks, the fourth-fewest in the league.  

Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are former #1 picks who have played well, and as a group they stop the run. Without their two starting corners this week, their secondary should be ripe for the picking.

On offense, quarterback Sam Darnold has struggled mightily, Running back Levon Bell is banged up, and the Jets' offensive line is worse than the Giants.

Darnold has some legit receivers to throw to – Jamison Crowder, Damaryius Thomas (if active), Robbie Anderson and tight end Ryan Griffin – but they’re all complementary pieces.

Like all quarterbacks, Darnold needs a No. 1 stud receiver and an offensive line to protect him. Alas, Darnold’s offensive line has forced his mechanics to fall apart with all the pressures they’ve allowed.

On the Giants' side of the ball, quarterback Daniel Jones should have a big game. Jones’ offense produces against lesser opponents so look for the offense to score points, even without receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion) and tight end Evan Engram (foot).

Running back Saquon Barkley should have a big game, especially since people are beginning to question just how much his high ankle sprain continues to be an issue. Now whether the coaches can get him the ball in space more than once a game is another story.

Failing to utilize Barkley’s explosiveness, especially in the passing game, is one of the black marks on this coaching staff’s underwhelming 2019 season.

On the flip side, we haven't seen any signs of this team quitting on the coaches. Last week the Giants stayed with the Cowboys till a couple of late calls went against  (if active) them. The team competes every week, so give the coaches credit for getting this team to play hard--can they continue to do so?.

Playing against his former team should help bring the best out in defensive lineman Leonard Williams. Williams played some good ball in his new uniform last week but the big plays weren’t there.

That’s a criticism of Williams’ game. He’s good but not great. The Giants need his arrow to point a bit higher if they’re going to sign him to a long-term contract.

Against Dallas, Williams did flash on the pass rush but he never quite got home. Williams needs to get home.

The defense looked better against Dallas because of rookie Corey Ballantine getting the start at slot corner. In today’s pass-happy NFL that’s a key position. Ballantine showed very good speed and size, and could be the answer there.

Alas, the Giants inside linebackers were a sieve in every way possible and that’s not going to change with the current suspects still on the field.

On offense, isn’t it curious that the Giants’ offensive line has played practically every single snap together through nine games and yet haven’t put together a positive game.

It’s said that playing together builds cohesion, but not this group. Problem is, they take turns losing the one-on-one battles that all the cohesion in the world cannot overcome.

This unit’s lack of talent is putting a serious dent in Jones’ rookie development. This week, due to injury, the Giants offensive line will undergo at least one, if not two changes, as Jon Halapio at center is out and right tackle Mike Remmers is doubtful. 

There is something to be said for continuity n an offensive line, but not the type of continuity, e.g. a guaranteed breakdown or two every game, this Giants unit has shown thus far. So could things be any worse?

We hope not.  Jones is this team’s most important asset. He needs better protection.

Look for the Jets to encourage isolation by blitzing the rookie early and often. Beating the blitz has not been one of this offensive group’s strengths, especially with Barkley providing little help with his pickups.

This game is yet another referendum on this question: Is HC Pat Shurmur really the man to lead this team out of the wilderness?

From the outside looking in, Shurmur not only lacks presence and leadership, but his offensive pedigree hasn’t shown through much either, as the early returns seem to indicate that he is more offensive coordinator than head coaching material.

In summary, the Giants should beat the Jets … like the Jets should beat the Giants. It’s a toss-up.

It’s the type of game that will be lost more than won, which means that turnover-prone Jones needs to take better care of the football.

We suspect the Giants will emerge victorious, simply because they seem to have plugged their biggest hole in the slot which should help contain Sam Darnold’s favorite receiver, Jamison Crowder.

In the battle of two teams going in the wrong direction but still battling for bragging rights, desperate football should abound. It won’t be good football, but it could be intense.

And it could be disastrous to a Giants team if they should lose it.