EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – We’re just outside of two weeks until NFL football and optimism is high for both the Giants and the Jets.
The J-E-T-S added Aaron Rodgers to an excellent defense and the Giants are under new and capable management. Let’s funking go! Vegas likes the Jets better, setting their under/over for wins at 9.5. The Giants number is a measly 7.5, as many are expecting a regression. Let’s take a look.
Jets Jets Jets
Aaron Rodgers got a bit prickly on the second episode of Hard Knocks, but you can’t make a tasty green omelette without busting a few eggs. It’s hard to say whether the Jets are going to come together like a perfectly cooked farmer’s omelette or fall apart like an overcooked tofu and egg white surprise.
Green Flags
Quinnen Williams looked nearly unblockable in joint practices with Carolina. He and Sauce are leading a defense that should do its part.
Dalvin Cook, who just turned 28, should have plenty of tread left on his tires. His additional allows them ease Breece Hall back in and adds to a pile of talent at the skill positions. Garrett Wilson looks primed for a monster season.
And oh yeah, one of the best to ever do it is running the show under center.
Red Flags
The Jets’ offensive line is in shambles and easily could be the weakness that stops this train in its tracks. In 11 v 11 vs the Bucs, Rodgers was forced into numerous throw aways and quick dump offs. They have injuries to several starters and Becton hasn’t been fit enough to get first team reps. Rodgers is getting concerned.
To me, Saleh has not exactly inspired confidence. He drops a load of f-bombs, which reeks of a man trying desperately to motivate. His fanboy sideline antics have been a little embarrassing.
The AFC East is a tough division and the Jets have one of the hardest schedules in the league.
There is some cause for concern here, but 10 wins isn’t unreasonable with 17 games. With Rodgers, a strong defense, and tons of budding stars, I think they find a way to win 10.
Over 9.5 wins
Giants Giants Giants
The Giants surprised last season by making the playoffs and beating the Vikings in the first round. Every important player is back and they added some nice pieces. Their o/u number is only 7.5? What gives?
Green Flags
On offense they added matchup-nightmare Darren Waller and several receiving weapons. The line should be better with Evan Neal in his second year and rookie center John Michael Schmitz grabbing the starting job early in camp.
On D, they seem to have found TWO starting corner backs (in nickel packages alongside Adoree Jackson) in first round pick Deonte Banks and sixth round surprise Tre Hawkins. They’ve added depth on the D-line to spell Dexter and Leonard. Bobby Okereke gives them a strong middle LB and Thibodeaux should be primed for a big year.
There isn’t one position group that isn’t better than last year.
The Giants won a lot of close games last year. Some people think that was luck. I think that was Brian Daboll and good coaching.
Red Flags
With a load of close wins and a very tough schedule, especially to start the season, most pundits don’t think the Giants are going to get back to the playoffs.
Again, it’s not easy to find an area where the Giants aren’t better on paper. QB is the same, O-Line should be better, TEs and WRs are much better, D -Line is deeper, LBs improved in the middle, and the secondary is better with draft upgrades at corner.
The O-line still lacks depth. They are still weak at guard. Peart has not been effective as the swing tackle, if one of the bookends goes down.
Daniel Jones needs to be better this year, with a big contract and a lot more weapons.
The schedule does look daunting, especially early. But eight wins is not that many. If the Giants go 5-4 in the non- division games, which doesn’t seem like huge stretch for a playoff team that improved a lot on paper, they only have to get three wins in their division out of eight.
I might even sprinkle over 9.5 wins at +300.
Over 7.5 wins
The Giants and Jets face off in the last preseason game and Rodgers is expected to play. That’s a little appetizer ahead of prime time divisional battles against the Cowboys and Bills. Don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some football.
How many games are the Giants and Jets gonna win this season? Let me know in the comments. And come back mañana for Angry Ward.
