During their preseason opener against the Packers, the Jets’ offensive starters played just one series.
If Gang Green’s starters are going to see extended time in their second preseason game against the Giants, coach Aaron Glenn isn’t telling.
“The plan is the plan,” he said on Wednesday. “That’s the plan.”
Whatever the plan is, the Jets will look to have a better outing against the Giants in Saturday’s game than they did during this week’s joint practices. While the Jets’ defense was solid, the same could not be said about the offense, which was consistently harassed.
It is unlikely that defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (calf), cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf), and Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) will play against the Giants. But there’s still a lot to watch during the annual MetLife Bowl.
HOW WILL THE O-LINE PERFORM?
Justin Fields and the Jets offensive line had a rough time during their two joint practices against Big Blue. On Tuesday, the Giants sacked Fields four times and their new starting quarterback went through a stretch in which he threw four straight incompletions. Wednesday wasn’t much better as he completed 7 of 13 passes and was again sacked four times. The Jets’ offense also stalled during the two-minute drill and failed to get into field goal range.
It was a worrisome performance as the Jets’ offensive line is supposed to be one of their strengths entering the 2025 season. They have spent consecutive first-round picks on tackles, Olu Fashanu (2024) and Armand Membou (’25). They also have Alijah Vera-Tucker, who was a first-round pick in 2021, center Joe Tippmann, who was drafted in the second round in 2023, and left guard John Simpson, who they signed as a free agent last year.
It is unknown how long the Giants’ starters will play. But Saturday will prove to be another test against one of the better defensive lines in the league.
CAN FIELDS BUILD ON PRESEASON OPENER?
Fields has had an up-and-down training camp. However, he displayed a ton of confidence during his lone series in the Jets’ preseason victory against the Packers.
He completed 3-of-4 passes for 42 yards and rushed for a 13-yard touchdown. What was most impressive was Fields’ decisiveness and confidence to leave the pocket and create plays.
That is not what he showed during the two practices against the Giants.
Fields struggled with accuracy and ball placement like he did during his first four seasons in the league. He threw two bad passes to Garrett Wilson during two-minute drills and was sacked by Brian Burns. Fields also held the ball way longer in the pocket than he should have.
The Jets are counting on Fields to know when to hold onto the ball and take off to escape defenders, versus throwing it away. That’s why they need to see more of the Fields that was on display against the Packers rather than the QB who struggled during the joint practices.
WHICH CORNER WILL STEP UP?
With Gardner not likely to play against the Giants, it will be up to the other cornerbacks to step up and make plays. What should help is that the Giants’ best receiver will not be on the field.
Malik Nabers was held out of the practices this week with Giants coach Brian Daboll saying the receiver was “rehabbing.” Nabers has been dealing with a toe injury that has kept him out of several training camp practices. Nabers also did not play in the preseason opener against the Bills.
The Jets signed cornerback Brandon Stephens to a three-year, $48 million contract in the offseason despite struggling with the Ravens. Last season, he allowed the most targets (96) in the league and the second-most yards (806). But Stephens has been tremendous in training camp, bringing down several interceptions and breaking up a lot of Fields’ passes.
Qwan’tez Stiggers has also been a training camp standout. He is fighting for a 53-man roster spot, but Stiggers has maximized his opportunities.
WILL PENALTIES CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE?
One of the few negatives from last weekend’s game was the number of penalties. The Jets were flagged 12 times for 91 yards.
Yes, it is preseason, but Glenn is trying to change the culture of an organization that has led the league in penalties each of the last two years and hasn’t made the playoffs in 14 years.
The Jets committed three personal foul penalties, which infuriated Glenn on the sidelines. Considering the roster turnover they had during the offseason, the Jets cannot continue making self-inflicted penalties once the regular season begins on Sept. 7.
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