Jets Take 14-13 Halftime Lead Over Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The New York Jets hold a 14-13 lead at halftime versus the New York Giants in their preseason finale at Metlife Stadium.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, making his Jets preseason debut--and his first preseason appearance since 2018, appeared in two series, finishing five of eight (62.5 for 47 yards and one touchdown, a 118.2 rating.
Rodgers led the Jets to break the scoreless deadlock on their second drive of the game when, after a 62-yard punt by Jamie Gillian, who outkicked the coverage and allowed Jets returner Xavier Gipson to return it 20 yards to the Giants' 48-yard line, Rodgers and the Jets took just four plays to get into the end zone.
A defensive pass interference penalty against Giants corner Amani Oruwariye aided the scoring drive. Two plays later, Rodgers found receiver Garrett Wilson for the 14-yard touchdown to cap the four-play, 52-yard scoring drive to take the 7-0 lead.
The Jets doubled their point total on a pick-six by Brandin Echols, who stepped in front of a Tommy DeVito pass intended for David Sills V and returned it 67 yards for the score to make it 14-0 with 4:11 left in the first quarter.
The Giants finally got on the board with 8:27 left in the first half when running back Jashaun Corbin converted on 1st-and-goal from the 1-yard line to cap a 14-play, 81-yard scoring drive covering 6:25 to cut the Jets lead in half, 14-7.
The Giants got a pair of field goals by Graham Gano, the first a 57-yarder with 3:34 left in the half and the second a 40-yarder with five seconds left in the half to cut the Jets' lead to 14-13.
The first half was sloppy and costly start for the Giants. The home team racked up four penalties for 52 yards. They also lost several players to injury, including safety Bobby McCain (concussion), cornerback Zyon Gilbert (hamstring), receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton (knee), tight end Chris Myarick (hand), and interior offensive lineman Wyatt Davis (right ankle).
Linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who arrived in East Rutherford Friday after being traded by the Cardinals for a seventh-round draft pick, was in uniform for the Giants and got the start at inside linebacker.
Simmons, who didn't dent the stat sheet, rushed the passer on the majority of his snaps, managing one quarterback pressure against Rodgers.
Blue Notes
Sterling Shepard, who got the start for the Giants, returned a first-quarter punt, his first punt return of his career. The Giants actually rotated punt returners this week, giving Shepard, Jamison Crowder, and Eric Gray chances.
Several Giants were not in uniform for this preseason finale due to medical decisions, including running back Gary Brightwell, receiver Wan'Dale (PUP), cornerback Aaron Robinson (PUP), tight end Tommy Sweeney (medical issue), offensive lineman Jack Anderson, defensive lineman Ryder Anderson, inside linebacker Cam Brown, cornerback Cor'Dale Flott, and defensive back Nick McCloud.
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