The New York Jets will have their last joint practice of the preseason against the New York Giants on Wednesday.
These teams battle every year during the preseason and face off during the regular season every 4 years. Last year the Jets got the best of the Giants, beating them in both the preseason and regular season. This season both squads have different expectations in terms of Super Bowl aspirations, but it will be a great test for the Jets after struggling last week versus the Carolina Panthers .
Sauce vs. Nabers
Regarding DB vs WR matchups, it won't get more entertaining than watching Sauce Gardner against Malik Nabers. Gardner is the more experienced and decorated player out of the two. The superstar has been selected to 2 pro bowls and 2 First team All-Pros in his first two seasons. Nabers on the other hand is just a rookie but has shown signs in camp that he can be a stud in the league.
Gardner is known for his shutdown ability with a 10.1 percent target rate in 2023, the second least. He also gave up a league-best 0.53 yards per coverage snap. It seems like the Jets got a Darrelle Revis clone in Gardner, but a young Nabers brings on a new challenge for the 3rd year veteran.
Nabers finished his 2023 college campaign at LSU with an impressive 89 receptions for a total of 1,569 receiving yards. The new number 1 WR for the Giants has been tearing it up in training camp, making spectacular catches similar to another former Giants LSU WR in Odell Beckham Jr. If Nabers can even come close to the production of Beckham Jr.'s rookie season, especially with Daniel Jones as the QB that would be huge boost for a talent-starved Giants' offense.
"I think it'll be fun. We feel like we got a pretty good one [wide receiver] here, too, with Garrett [Wilson], and we get to see him every day," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh when asked about matching up against Nabers. "But to play a different, for Sauce to get a chance, same with D.J. Reed, and some of our other corners. He's obviously already making a name for himself with the way he's been practicing and credit to him. Just looking forward to the competition tomorrow."
Jets starting QB Aaron Rodgers even took notice of the matchup tomorrow.
Jets' offense versus Giants' defense
After the discouraging performance from the Jets offense against a mid-level Panthers defense in last week's joint practice, Rodgers and Co will look to dominate. Tomorrow will be tough for the Jets' offense with the Giants' defense having much improved this offseason.
The Giants lost safety Xavier McKinney in free agency but drafted Tyler Nubin out of Minnesota and acquired star edge rusher Brian Burns via trade. The Jets' offensive line is going to have their hands full between Burns, second-year edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, and superstar interior lineman Dexter Lawrence II. Two specific players to watch on the Jets offensive line are Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses who'll be in the trenches against both these gifted Giants edges.
The Rodgers and Garrett Wilson duo should be in full effect tomorrow against an inexperienced Giants secondary. Expect both to get back on the same page and show out for the NY fans in Florham Park.
"It is like our preseason game, whether or not we play Saturday, who knows," said Rodgers on Tuesday. " Anytime you get teams together, it's always interesting. You see how it shakes out as far as personalities and pushing and shoving. There's the fear of somebody throwing a punch and having to play in the game, so hopefully it's a clean practice, but you never know."
More New York Jets News:
• Robert Saleh rules out three injured defenders for rest of preseason
• Jets' prime free-agent addition trending toward Week 1 availability
• Rodgers gives predictably cryptic response to if he'll play vs. Giants
• Jets designate ex-Packers' receiver Reserve/Injured, sign UFL defensive tackle
• Jets' former $45 million man signs with Dallas Cowboys
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