The Giants took the win in the teams’ annual summer showdown, as a Sam Darnold touchdown pass was ruined by a brutal special teams display.
Hunter Sharp took back a punt return 55 yards for a touchdown, while Eli Manning added 188 yards, and the New York Giants won the annual preseason showdown between MetLife Stadium co-tenants, defeating the New York Jets 22-16.
Darnold got the start for the second straight game and embarked on perhaps his most ambitious drive of the preseason, taking chances downfield and even pulling off a 14-yard scramble on third down to keep the Jets’ opening drive alive. The trek, which took 6:32 to pull off, went 75 yards on 11 plays, the last of which was a 10-yard rush by Bilal Powell that opened the scoring.
Bilal Powell finishes off a STRONG first drive for the Jets. pic.twitter.com/mN3eFKK6bA
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 24, 2018
The Giants’ first drive was fruitless, but gratification came immediately after the ensuing Jets drive — a three-and-out. Commencing a brutal evening for the Jets’ special teams’ unit, Hunter Sharp took the resulting Lachlan Edwards punt 55 yards for the tying score.
HUNTER SHARP TO THE HOUSE! ?#NYGvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/CamDNCz2yy
— NFL (@NFL) August 25, 2018
After another three-and-out for the green squad, Eli Manning took a shot downfield, hooking up with Cody Latimer for a 54-yard strike that situated the Giants in the red zone. Disappointment ensued on the very next play, however, as Jonathan Stewart concluded a brutal evening (losing seven yards on three carries) with a lost fumble. Avery Williamson forced the fumble, while Leonard Williams took the loose ball back to the Giants 47 yard-line.
? Jonathan Stewart fumble et Leonard Williams avec un énorme retour pour les Jets ! pic.twitter.com/s8djo9eDWL
— NFL France (@FirstDownFR) August 25, 2018
Five players later, the Jets took full advantage of the mistake, as Darnold found Terrelle Pryor for a 12-yard score, though Taylor Bertolet missed the extra point.
Darnold to Terrelle Pryor for the second TD of the night for the #Jets offense pic.twitter.com/eimKDDnIqG
— Conor the Mick (@TheNJMick) August 25, 2018
More special teams silliness, however, went on to haunt the Jets. A fumble on a kick return by Trenton Cannon set the Giants up in prime territory, as did another strong return by Kalif Raymond. However, the Giants offense could only muster four Aldrick Rosas field goals, creating a 19-13 halftime lead. Darnold would play the whole first half and the first drive of the third, going 8-of-16 for 87 yards and the Pryor score.
Kalif Raymond goes 35 yards on the return #NYGvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/mhQY89JLGE
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 25, 2018
After a scoreless third quarter, uneventful save for the entry of Teddy Bridgewater and Davis Webb, the latter got the fourth quarter started with a deep 47-yard strike to Alonzo Russell to set the Giants up for scoring immediately. Jhurell Pressley’s 20-yard moved the Giants deeper, but a few Webb overthrows forced the blue squad to settle for a 44-yard field goal, this one coming from Marshall Koehn.
Davis Webb hits Alonzo Russell for 47 yards #NYGvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/zzuNvd9NIE
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 25, 2018
Despite the win, the Giants did suffer a loss in the form of Evan Engram, as the second-year tight end left the game with a concussion in the second quarter.
Honestly, with all the bad/ridiculous leading w/ head penalties. How is this hit on @EvanEngram not a flag? @NFL explain.@RealMichaelKay @RothenbergESPN @DonLagreca @HDumpty39 @ChrisCanty99 @HendoBro @vickatime @mixtapetully @EfficientChris @Rosenbergradio @EvanRobertsWFAN pic.twitter.com/ULwXEZEWjo
— Stunt Man Mike (@Stunt_Man_Mike_) August 25, 2018
Bridgewater led the Jets to three more points, as newcomer Jason Myers booted a 20-yard field goal to cap off a 13-play, 78-yard drive.
Manning finished the game 17-for-23 for 188 yards, while Webb went 5-for-11 for 73 yards. Entering the third and playing all of the fourth, Bridgewater concluded the day with a mark of 11-of-15 for 103 yards. Another newcomer, Jhurell Pressley of the Giants, went 69 yards on 11 carries. Each team will conclude their respective preseason slate next Thursday, with the Jets going to Philadelphia (7:00 p.m., WCBS), while the Giants will face the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium (7:00 p.m., WNBC).
