The New York Giants and New York Jets typically hold their annual preseason battle — once nickname named the “Snoopy Bowl” — at MetLife Stadium in Week 3 of the preseason. However, this year it was moved to Week 1.
Why?
Giants head coach Pat Shurmur elaborated on that earlier this week. Because three of the team’s four preseason opponents will also be regular-season opponents, he made a request that the league schedule a game against the Cincinnati Bengals — the only preseason team they won’t play during the regular season — in Week 3.
Shurmur’s wish was granted, which led to Big Blue opening the preseason against Gang Green.
“I was involved in those conversations,” Shurmur told reporters. “I think it makes sense.
“This is more about the players and trying to decide who our best 53 are than actually the scheme and the matchups and all that. We’ll get to that later when we play the Jets. But to play them first instead of third, I think it makes sense this year.”
The scheduling change allows the Giants to avoid using their likely regular-season starters against a familiar opponent in Week 3, which is typically when the top of the projected 53-man roster sees the most preseason snaps.
This is especially good news for the Giants considering the Jets always take the exhibition game much more seriously than their AFC rivals, often leading to unnecessary injuries.
