In a lackluster preseason finale between the New York Jets and the New York Giants, the Jets emerged victorious with a 10-6 win. Standout moments of the game included Israel Abanikanda’s 45-yard touchdown run in the first half and a dominant defensive performance by the Jets, who sacked Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito eight times. The game saw most of the projected starters from both teams sitting out, allowing backups and rookies to showcase their skills on the field.
DeVito, playing as the third-string quarterback for the Giants, struggled to generate much offense, finishing with 103 passing yards on 14 of 27 attempts. Despite gaining 48 yards on the ground, DeVito faced constant pressure from the Jets’ defense. The Giants, who had only one projected starter on the field, suffered a setback when center John Michael Schmitz left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury.
Aaron Rodgers and other Jets starters watched the game from the sidelines, giving opportunities for players like Adrian Martinez to showcase their talent. Martinez, who started at quarterback for the Jets, led two scoring drives in the first half before being replaced by rookie Andrew Peasley. Undrafted rookie Ayir Asante’s fumble on the opening kickoff gave the Jets a short field, leading to an early 3-0 lead with a field goal by Greg Zuerlein.
Despite a few exciting moments, including Abanikanda’s impressive touchdown run, the game was largely uneventful until fans at MetLife Stadium injected some energy by doing “the wave.” Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick last year, showed promise with 83 yards on nine carries as he competes for a roster spot behind other running backs on the Jets’ depth chart. Rookie kicker Jude McAtamney’s 43-yard field goal cut the Giants’ deficit to 10-3 late in the first half.
In the second half, McAtamney added another field goal to bring the Giants within four points at 10-6. Zuerlein missed two field goal attempts, including one that hit the left upright as time expired in the first half. The preseason finale provided valuable playing time for backups and rookies to prove themselves before final roster decisions are made. Overall, the Jets emerged victorious in a game characterized by strong defensive performances and moments of excitement on the field.
