New York Jets 28 – New York Giants 18

Bad Decision by Eli Manning – © USA TODAY Sports Images

[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]

New York Jets 28 – New York Giants 18: The New York Giants fell to the New York Jets 28-18 on Saturday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With the loss, the Giants preseason record fell to 1-2.

The Giants first-team offense played the entire first half and only had one good drive, their best of the preseason. It came in the second quarter on their third possession as the Giants drove 85 yards in 14 plays, culminating with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Rashad Jennings. The Giants were in the no-huddle for most of the drive and having success both running and passing the football.

But other than that possession, the first-team offense sputtered. The team only picked up two first downs and 32 yards on their other four first-half possessions. Worse, quarterback Eli Manning, who otherwise had a good night, finished the first half with an interception that was returned for a defensive touchdown with only seconds to play before halftime.

Meanwhile, the first-team defense continued to struggle, having issues defending the run, rushing the passer, and covering receivers. The Jets scored touchdowns on two of their first-half possessions, including a 7-play, 64-yard drive and a 6-play, 73-yard drive.

The Jets led 21-7 at the half.

With most of the starters on the bench, the Giants received the ball to start the second half and cut the score to 21-10 as quarterback Ryan Nassib led the Giants on an 11-play, 54 yard drive that resulted in a 48-yard field goal by place kicker Josh Brown. But after stopping the Jets on offense, the Giants were forced to punt from their own 2-yard line. Robert Malone’s punt was returned 54 yards for a touchdown by the Jets as they went up 28-10.

Nassib and the Giants moved the ball well on their last possession of the third quarter, but after a 15-yard reception, wide receiver James Jones fumbled the ball away at the Jets 19-yard line. Midway through the fourth quarter, Nassib orchestrated a 10-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a 6-yard touchdown throw to tight end Jerome Cunningham and a 2-point conversion on a pass to wide receiver Julian Talley. The score was cut to 28-10.

However, the Jets successfully ran out the clock in the last 7:31 of the game, driving from their own 20-yard line to the Giants 24-yard line.

Offensively, Manning finished the game 12-of-16 for 91 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. Nassib was 11-of-18 for 122 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. The Giants rushed for 106 yards, but 30 of those yards came from Nassib. The leading running back was Rashad Jennings with 28 yards on nine carries. Wide receiver Odell Beckham caught five passes for 31 yards, while wideout James Jones had four catches for 54 yards.

Defensively, the Giants did very little. They gave up 136 yards rushing, had only one sack (by safety Cooper Taylor), and forced no turnovers.

Prince Amukamara: "We're not where we need to be and I think it's obvious to everyone." #Giants #NYG

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 30, 2015

WATCH: Coach Tom Coughlin's Postgame Presser following Saturday's loss http://t.co/UjyDBxrfc6

— New York Giants (@Giants) August 30, 2015

WATCH: Eli Manning on the play of the offense vs. the Jets #NYJvsNYG http://t.co/HEYchiR3QJ

— New York Giants (@Giants) August 30, 2015

Injury Report: DE Robert Ayers suffered an ankle and/or Achilles’ tendon injury in pre-game warm-ups and did not play. RT Bobby Hart injured his knee in the third quarter and had to be helped off of the field. Cornerback Josh Gordy left the game in the second half after suffering a hip injury.

Post-Game Notes: Not playing due to injuries were WR Victor Cruz (calf), OC Weston Richburg (knee), RT/RG Brandon Mosley (back), LT Will Beatty (pectoral – on PUP), DE Robert Ayers (ankle), DE George Selvie (knee), LB Jon Beason (knee), LB Jonathan Casillas (neck), LB Mark Herzlich (concussion), CB Chykie Brown (knee), CB Chandler Fenner (hamstring), and S Nat Berhe (calf).

QB Ricky Stanzi and TE Will Tye were dressed but did not play.