While some fans might argue that there's no such thing as preseason highlights in the NFL, New Yorkers would definitely dispute that idea. The annual preseason tilt between the Giants and Jets is always a must-watch for New York fans, and there's plenty to take, given the fact that both teams struggled last year.
Expect the Giant's performance to be under the microscope and then some. The major goal of the preseason was to fix QB Daniel Jones and get the offense back on track, but there's little evidence that the project has gone well to date.
The Jets will sit Aaron Rodgers in this game, but coach Robert Saleh is on the hot seat going in as well. His seat isn't quite as hot as that of Giants head man Brian Daboll, but Saleh needs to boost his offense as well, especially given the strong contributions of his stout defense.
Game Details
Fixture: New York Giants @ New York Jets
Date and Time: August 24, 2024, 7:30 PM EST
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants Team Preview
The Daniel Jones Show has been the "highlight" of the preseason, but it hasn't been pretty. Jones is making the same kinds of bad decisions that sank the Giants season last year, and after plenty of problematic appearances on Hard Knocks and a camp scuffle in which GM Joe Shoen and Daboll got involved in breaking it up, the New York media smells blood in the water.
The two teams held a joint practice this week, and the action was saucy, to say the least. Star Jets corner Sauce Gardner taunted their crosstown rivals when the Jets defense dominated the G-men, waving goodbye as the "visiting" Giants made the drive back to their facility.
New York Jets Team Preview
The Jets always draw their own special kind of attention in the battle for the back pages of the New York tabloids, and this preseason camp has delivered, as always.
Aaron Rodgers has been his usual volatile self in the quote department. He ditched his teammates before mini-camp to make his trip to Egypt, but Rodgers has talked recently about how much he's enjoyed this tough camp. He hasn't quite gone to Planet Aaron yet, but it feels like just a matter of time as we get closer to real football.
Robert Saleh is under pressure to get to the playoffs, and his offense finally held up their end in the joint practice, having what was reportedly its best day of the summer. The battle between Gardner and Giants #1 draft pick Malik Nabers was especially feisty, so this might be one of those preseason games where there's genuine animus and hard competition from start to finish.
Who to Watch
New York Giants
Jones will be the man for whatever amount of time he plays, but the offense as a whole will be under the spotlight as well. Keep an eye on the offensive line with tackle Jon Runyan still recovering from a shoulder injury, and look to see if the Giants can get the ball to Nabers as he faces the Jets elite shut-down corner.
The Giant's defense will also need to show that it's ready for real football to begin. Rodgers torched the defense during the joint practice, and he even made several throws on the run despite the fact that he's coming off an Achilles tear.
Watch the sidelines as well. The Giants have earned a rep as a group prone to internal squabbles, so look to see if Daboll can contain himself and corral his players if things continue to go as badly as they have to date.
New York Jets
The Giants pass rush has emerged as a team strength, so keep an eye on the offensive line. Carter Warren and Max Mitchell struggled in the joint practice, as did both of the tackles. Solidifying the protection is a major issue for the Jets, but Sauce Gardner is always a good guy to keep an eye on if you're looking for a flamboyant performance.