Eli Manning and the Giants first string offense has yet to score a touchdown in two preseason games this year. (Getty)
Something has got to give.
Neither the New York Jets nor the New York Giants have had a particularly good preseason. The Jets have had one of the most dramatic offseasons in the entire league and just recently brought in journeyman quarterback Matt Flynn to offer some kind of stability in the locker room. Meanwhile, the Giants first string offense has been a mess, unable to get anything going over the course of two games. Eli Manning completed four passes last week. Four.
So something has to give as the two teams square off in their annual preseason matchup.
The Giants have been devastated by injuries on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in the secondary, and Big Blue has frantically tried to bring in someone, anyone to play safety. That puts even more pressure on Eli and the first string offense to hold onto the ball and pressure on the Jets defense to attack.
Game on?
The Basics
Who:
New York Jets vs. New York Giants
When:
Saturday, August 29 at 7 p.m. ET
Channel:
The game will be broadcast locally on NBC 4. Click here for a full TV schedule.
Where:
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Line:
Even via Oddsshark
Last Meeting:
Giants 35, Jets 24 on August 22 in East Rutherford
Scouting the Jets
Brandon Marshall is playing for the New York Jets. Let’s all take a second to remember that because whenever this team can get its quarterback situation in hand, Marshall may be one of the most important cogs in the Jets offensive scheme.
This is, after all, the same guy who, last year for the Chicago Bears, played on basically one ankle and caught three touchdown passes. In other words, Marshall is good. He knows it too. Earlier this week he spoke to reporters about the status of his game:
Man, I’m getting better every year. I’m getting better. I was talking to Coach [Karl] Dorrell yesterday and I told him I feel like I’m breaking through my potential. It’s weird because I’m 31 years old and it’s Year 10, but I feel great.
In two preseason games Marshall has shown that he’s still a dominant threat on the sideline. He’s racked up a team-high five receptions for 74 yards.
Scouting the Giants
Hey, remember this guy Odell Beckham, Jr.? He was pretty good last year. He had, like, one of the great catches ever? Where’s he been this preseason?
Contrary to what some may assume, the second-year wide receiver has been out on the field with the rest of the Giants first team offense. He just hasn’t done much. Beckham has yet to catch a pass in two preseason games, despite being targeted regularly, including five times against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.
It’s a tough line for the Giants to walk right now with Beckham. Of course New York wants its offensive standout to get into a rhythm early. He was, after all, nearly unstoppable last year. There’s a reason he’s on the cover of Madden. But the Giants also don’t want to give in to that notorious Madden curse, push Beckham too hard on a route and, like so many others this preseason, watch their star go down with an injury. Someone go knock on wood. Then, of course, there are opposing defenses. Everyone saw what Beckham could do in an abbreviated season last year, just imagine what he can do with a full slate of games this year. Opposing squads are going to game plan for him and he’s going to need to be ready for that.
That even includes being ready for the Jets. And Darrelle Revis.
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