Following one of the most embarrassing losses in recent franchise history, the Jets are back home Sunday to host their stadium roommates.
The Jets have a legitimate chance to get back in the win column against the Giants with both teams reeling. The two have a combined record of 3-14 on the season and are currently competing for who will have the better draft pick come season’s end. The Giants are coming off a fifth straight loss after losing to the Cowboys, 37-18, on Monday Night Football.
Sunday’s action isn’t going to be pretty, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some intriguing storylines to keep an eye on throughout the afternoon.
Sam Darnold vs. Daniel Jones
Now that the Giants have officially handed the keys to Daniel Jones, there can finally be a conversation had over who will be the area’s best quarterback.
Sam Darnold has seemingly regressed and is making the same mistakes he made during his rookie season and final year of college. Jones, meanwhile, is going through the trials and tribulations of being a rookie quarterback. He got off to a hot start, going 2-0, before losing five consecutive starts.
Both have shown glimpses of future stardom, but they’ve also shown that they’re prone to mistakes. Jones leads the league in turnovers with 16 and Darnold leads the league in red-zone interceptions with four.
Leonard Williams Revenge Game
It didn’t take long for Leonard Williams to face the team that traded him.
Williams is set to face the Jets after a rather unimpressive debut with the Giants. According to Pro Football Focus, Williams was a virtual non-factor against the Cowboys last week, finishing with three tackles and a 48.8 overall grade from PFF.
Williams won’t be facing the All-Pro’s he did against Dallas. In fact, he has been giving his teammates the inside scoop on the Jets. He’ll get an opportunity to shine against Gang Green’s struggling offensive line.
Chris Herndon Returns
Chris Herndon was active for last Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, but he didn’t see any action. The Jets were forced to dress the second-year tight end due to having 26 players on their injury report.
Now, Herndon is set to make his season debut against the Giants after missing eight games due to a four-game suspension and a nagging hamstring injury.
The Jets’ struggling offense looks to get a boost from the anticipated return of Herndon. Sam Darnold has created a good rapport with Ryan Griffin in Herndon’s absence, but Herndon can be a weapon in the passing game and as a blocker.
As a rookie, Herndon finished with 39 receptions, 502 yards and four touchdowns. The Jets could use the help, as they’re ranked 32nd in scoring and total yards. The offense has generated only eight touchdowns on the season, three of them coming from Griffin.
Which No. 26 Will Be the Better Back?
The Giants and Jets have seen their seasons go into a similar abyss. Both teams have not gotten the football enough to their Pro Bowl running backs and their offenses have struggled because of it.
The Giants have gotten more production out of Saquon Barkley, who has been the more effective back this season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry compared to Le’Veon Bell’s 3.3. Barkley is averaging 8.1 yards per reception to Bell’s 6.1.
Bell was listed as questionable with a knee injury, but he took to Twitter on Saturday night to give Gang Green some rare good news. He confirmed that he plans to suit up Sunday.
