New York Giants (0-0) vs New York Jets (0-0)
Game Info: Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 7:30 pm (MetLife Stadium)
Betting Odds: New York Giants +2 -- Over/Under: 35.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The New York Jets will travel to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Giants this Saturday night in NFL Preseason action.
The New York Jets are once again in rebuilding mode after another dismal season in which they finished the year with just a 2-14 record. There is some optimism for Jets fans after hiring Robert Saleh to take over head coaching duties while also drafting BYU’s QB Zach Wilson with the 2nd pick of the draft.
New York struggled offensively last season after finishing the season ranking dead last in scoring offense at a dismal 15.2 ppg. Zack Wilson should be under center in week 1 under new OC’s Mike LaFleur’s west-coast style offense, however, it’s a bit concerning after seeing the Jets not being able to protect Sam Donald that don’t have much on the offensive line outside of Mekhi Becton. The Jets did bring in a talented WR in the Titans Corey Davis who show flashes last year why he was a top-5 pick in the 2017 draft. Outside of Davis, the Jets still have Jamison Crowder and hope that Denzel Mims, Chris Herndon, and rookie Elijah Moore can all make significant impacts. The Jets will have new a face in the backfield as Robert Saleh will be reunited with Tevin Coleman and hope he can form a solid one-two punch with La’Mical Perine who showed some promise last year averaging 4.7 rushing yds/carry.
Head coach Robert Saleh is a defensive minded coach and should bring the same energy we saw with him last year with the 49ers to a Jets defense that allowed 28.6 ppg. The Jets should be decent up-front after signing Carl Lawson and getting back LB C.J. Mosley (opted out last season), however, the Jets secondary is still a concern.
The Giants finished last season with just a 6-10 record, but still had chances to make the playoffs in the weak NFC East and showed some momentum at the end of the season finishing the year with a 5-3 record.
Offensively, the Giants suffered a huge blow early in the season after losing Saquon Barkley to an ACL injury, however, Barkley should be back this season although he might not be full force at the beginning of the season depending how careful the Giants want to be with their franchise back. QB Daniel Jones has shown signs that he can be the QB of the future for the Giants after completed 62.5% of his passes for 2943 yards & 11 TD’s. The Giants brought in some help for Jones as they signed Kenny Golladay and will be bringing back Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, & Evan Ingram. New York also signed the speedy Joe Ross and has an explosive playmaker in Kadarius Toney. To help in the backfield, the Giants brought in both Devontae Booker & Corey Clement.
Defensively, the Giants were decent last season, allowing their opponents to average 22.3 ppg. The Giants defense should be just as good, if not better this season, as along with resigning Leonard Williams who finished last season with 11.5 sacks, they plugged one of their holes in the secondary by signing Adoree’ Jackson. The Giants will also look for 2nd round pick, Azeez Ojulari, to make a significant impact in this rookie year.
The Jets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games and just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite. The Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Saturday gams and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog.
The Giants are not going to be playing Daniel Jones, however, they still have a solid veteran QB in Mike Glennon who should be seeing plenty of action and should have success against the Jets secondary. The Jets will be having their starters, including Zach Wilson, play about a quarter, however, Wilson is far from proven against NFL talent and as I think the Giants just have better depth, I think the play here is to go with the Giants and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick New York Giants +2
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
