Giants vs. Jets Halftime: DeVito Under Constant Duress

The Snoopy Bowl is underway, and the New York Giants have plenty of players hoping to carve out a roster spot in the preseason finale against the New York Jets. At the half, they trail 10-3.

The MetLife crowd didn’t get to see anything in the form of star power on Saturday. New York sat almost all of its starters, sans center John Michael Schmitz, giving its younger , less secure players a chance to shine.

Things started out with a bang. Receiver Ayir Asante fumbled the opening kickoff, giving the Jets the ball despite deferring the coin toss.

New York would take a 3-0 lead after the first drive. New York’s “first-team” offense would be headlined by quarterback Tommy DeVito – who’s expected to play all game – and running back Dante “Turbo” Miller.

The first drive would prove fruitless.

Defensively, the Giants held their own, forcing a quick punt after Jets quarterback Adrian Martinez fumbled a snap back toward the end zone and was forced to throw the ball away. New York would muff, but recover, the punt.

Unfortunately for DeVito, who’s looking to secure a roster spot and push for the QB2 spot (the former being likely, the latter not so much), the Giants continued to struggle offensively with a three-and-out.

The Jets would strike in the form of an explosive run from second-year back Israel Abanikanda. He broke through the second level for a 45-yard score and a 10-0 lead.

The Giants’ next drive was even more concerning than the near-immediate punt that preceded it. After Miller secured a first down, DeVito was sacked on three consecutive plays. Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III was involved in each of them, paired with edge rusher Braiden McGregor and linebacker Zaire Barnes.

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The Jets would turn the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive, but the injuries are piling up for New York. Schmitz (ankle), Timme Horne (Achilles), Evan Neal (ankle), Ovie Oghoufo (hamstring) all went down at different points in the first half. Corner Mario Goodrich (hamstring) would join them.

Interestingly enough, kicker Jude McAtamney would make an appearance, nailing his 42-yard attempt to cut the Jets' lead to 10-3.

The Giants would allow one more red-zone drive to end the half, but New York missed the field goal.