The Jets and Giants don’t play each other yearly like most rivals.
However, the proximity of the two teams makes this a unique rivalry, with Gang Green and Big Blue meeting on Sunday.
Before the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, the rivalry was born in 1960 when then Jets founding owner Harry Wismer was granted the AFL franchise called the New York Titans. The Titans would, of course, later change their name to the Jets because it rhymed with Mets.
Since their first meeting in 1970, the rivalry has grown, with the two teams now practicing and playing in New Jersey and both playing at MetLife Stadium. The Giants’ shadow has loomed large over the Jets organization for years. Big Blue has four Super Bowl championships to the Jets one. The Giants have also made the playoffs three times since the Jets’ last appearance in 2010.
The Jets are considered the little brother in the rivalry because they came into existence 35 years after the Giants. On Sunday, Gang Green gets to show they’re the top dog in Gotham.
“Obviously, we don’t play them twice a year,” Jets defensive end John Franklin-Myers said. You’re a rival because you’re in the same city. You have to be the big brother, little brother, whatever.
“But at the end of the day, shoot, I want to be the winner. I don’t give a f–k about no big brother, little brother, small, medium, large, I don’t care about none of that s–t. I want to win.”
Sunday is a pivotal game for both the Jets (3-3) and the Giants (2-5). This is not just for bragging rights in the New York City area for the fans. It also has some extra meaning for players as well.
The Jets have turned around their season following a 1-2 start, including an embarrassing loss to the Patriots in Week 3. Since then, the Jets are 2-1, which includes a stunning 20-14 upset victory against the Eagles on Oct. 15.
Now the Jets are a game out of the final wild-card spot in the AFC after the Bills 24-18 win against the Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football. But Sunday’s game isn’t just about keeping pace with the Bills and trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010. This game against the Giants is proving that the Jets deserve to have the same respect as the team they share a stadium with.
For the Giants, they are looking to keep their season and playoff hopes alive with a win against the Jets. With the Jets and the Raiders coming up before a rematch against the Cowboys on Nov. 12, the Giants are hoping to go on a winning streak with the hopes of fighting back to .500.
No, there’s no Aaron Rodgers in this matchup, which would have made this game that much more enjoyable. However, the Jets have an opportunity to put their foot on the Giants’ throat and effectively end their season with a win at what Rodgers calls “Jet Life Stadium. ”
“I grew up in some big rivalry in high school and college,” Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson said. “In the NFL, we have Dolphins, Buffalo and the Patriots.
“It’s cool to be in the same city as them and play against them, but the reality is we root for them. Except for when they are playing us. We know a lot of them guys and we see them around the town and it will be a cool experience.
“It’s not a rivalry I wouldn’t say, this is for our fans because we want to give them the bragging rights.”
As always, all eyes will be on Jets quarterback Zach Wilson and how he performs against the Giants. After becoming the starter again after Rodgers’ torn Achilles, Wilson has been careful not to turn over the ball the last couple of weeks.
In his last four games, Wilson has thrown for 787 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also has a quarterback rating of 80.7 and is completing 62.7% of his passes.
That’s a drastic change from Wilson’s first two starts of the season against the Cowboys and Patriots when he threw for 327 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Wilson also completed 47.6% of his passes and had a quarterback rating of 48.8 during that span.
Wilson’s numbers are not earth-shattering, but he has given the Jets the possibility of winning every game the last four weeks. Especially considering the Jets defense has allowed one touchdown in the second half in six games this season and scored only 11 second-half points during the last three.
Wilson will be tested as he will face a blitz-heavy Giants defense that loves to confuse opposing quarterbacks.
Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale uses exotic schemes and pass-rush stunts. The Giants registered six sacks in their 14-7 victory over the Commanders last weekend. Their defensive unit also forced three turnovers and held Washington to 273 yards, including 76 rushing yards.
Wilson’s play has improved this season from his previous two years in the league. Sunday will be a significant test to see how much Wilson has grown on the field and if he can make the correct reads when the Giants pressure is in his face consistently.
“There’s a lot of different things you have to prepare for because you don’t know what he’s going to select out of his large menu,” Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said about the Giants defense. “It’s like the Cheesecake Factory. You’ve got a little bit of everything that can happen.
“For us, we have to concentrate on our rules, on how we handle things because we don’t know what we’re going to see. We might not see one thing. I think one time a couple of years ago, we went against them, and we never saw one of those pressures, it was a completely different plan.
“I think that’s what’s special about how that organization operates defensively. For us, we just have to trust our rules and understand that we have the different tools to be able to help us throughout everything and know what our issues are going to be.”
