Giants Country

Jets Take 7-3 Halftime Lead Over Giants

The Giants, however, lose two key offensive players in this game.
Patricia Traina|
Jets Take 7-3 Halftime Lead Over Giants
Jets Take 7-3 Halftime Lead Over Giants

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New York Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The New York Jets hold a 7-3 halftime lead over the New York Giants in a game that is just as sloppy as the rainy, miserable conditions in which it's being played.

The Giants wasted no time getting on the board, the defense setting things up on the very first drive of the game. With 3rd-and-5, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson was sacked for a 10-yard loss by Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants defense's seventh sack in its last five quarters played, and Thibodeaux's team-high 6.5 on the season.

The loose ball was scooped up by outside linebacker Jihad Ward, who returned it to the Jets' 19-yard line. Three plays later, the Giants, having advanced just seven yards on the drive, settled for a 31-yard field goal by kicker Graham Gano to take a 3-0 lead with 12:07 gone in the first quarter.

The Jets took a 7-3 lead with 1:06 left in the first quarter on the first play of their fifth possession as Wilson found running back Breece Hall, whom Giants safety Jason Pinnock missed, for the 50-yard, go-ahead touchdown.

The Giants had a chance to cut the Jets lead down, but a pass to tight end Darren Waller fell one yard shy of a first down, bringing up a 47-yard field goal attempt by kicker Graham Gano, that he sent wide left.

Gano has been dealing with a painful left knee injury that has landed him on the injury report the last couple of weeks, an injury for which he told NorthJersey.com he's likely going to need off-season surgery.

The Giants offense got a break with 2:28 left in the half when the quarterback-center exchange between Wilson and Xavier Newman (in for the injured Connor McGovern) was aborted.

Giants linebacker Micah McFadden pounced on the loose ball to give the Giants 1st-and-10 at the Jets' 41-yard line. However, on third down, quarterback Tommy DeVito, in for the injured Tyrod Taylor, failed to see a wide-open Saquon Barkley, who had nothing but daylight in front of him on the short field.

Blue Notes:

The Giants and Jets offenses combined for zero third-down conversions out of 18 tries in the first half.

Giants tight end Darren Waller, who was listed as questionable with a hamstring coming into this game, was ruled out early in the second quarter due to the hamstring flaring up again.

Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor suffered a rib injury midway through the second quarter and was replaced by Tommy DeVito, who was a standard practice squad elevation this week. Taylor was ruled out for the rest of the game and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Jets linebacker Al Woods, injured in the first quarter, was ruled out of the game with a calf strain. And Jets offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer is doubtful to return after suffering a calf injury. 

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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