Photo courtesy of Tom Hanny, Wikipedia
Through nine weeks of the NFL season the New York Giants are 5-3, currently holding the fifth seed in the NFC. The New York Jets are 3-6, which has them as the third worst team in the AFC.
After starting the season 2-0, the Giants dropped their Week 3 matchup to an NFC East foe, the Washington Redskins.
The Giants lost their next two matchups, at Minnesota and at Green Bay, to fall to 2-3.
“After losing three straight, I thought this was going to be a disappointing year,” said Michael Digirolamo, Giants fan and a junior at Ramapo College. “They were taking undisciplined penalties that, in my opinion, wouldn’t happen under [former head coach Tom] Coughlin.”
The following game was a back-and-forth battle against the Baltimore Ravens, but Odell Beckham Jr. was too much for the Ravens’ defense. In the second half alone, Beckham Jr. had two touchdowns; the first was 75 yards and the latter was 66 yards to win the game in the fourth quarter. He also had an additional 43-yard catch to set up a field goal.
The Giants have taken that momentum from the win over the Ravens and ended up winning their next two games. They beat the Los Angeles Rams 17-10 in London and then fought off another division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, 28-23 at home to improve to 5-3.
The New York Jets competed well in their first two games, falling 23-22 to the Cincinnati Bengals on a last minute field goal, and then defeating the Bills in Buffalo, 37-31. The Jets dropped their next four games, totaling just 36 points in those four matchups.
After dropping to 1-5, they bounced back with a 24-16 win over the Ravens and then beat the winless Cleveland Browns 31-28.
In Week 9, the Jets took a 23-20 lead over the Miami Dolphins with 5:42 to play in the fourth quarter, but the Dolphins ran the ensuing kickoff back to retake the lead that they would never relinquish.
There has been some quarterback controversy as many Jets’ fans want Ryan Fitzpatrick to be benched. He is leading the NFL with 13 interceptions through nine games. Geno Smith got the nod to start in Week 7, but suffered a torn ACL in the second quarter to hand the reins back to Fitzpatrick.
“I think it is time to let [Bryce] Petty or [Chrstian] Hackenberg show what they can do. This season is just about over and we have two young guys waiting to get out there,” said Matt Chemis, Jets fan and Ramapo College junior.
The Giants have been playing well lately, but must continue that if they want to stay in the playoff race and contend with the 7-1 Dallas Cowboys for the NFC East title. The Giants did hand the Cowboys their lone loss and will face them again in a Sunday Night Football clash in Week 14, a game they will most likely have to win to give themselves a shot at winning the division.
There is still plenty of season left and time to get hot, but if the Jets are going to make a run, it must start now. Unfortunatley for them, they still have to face Tom Brady and the 7-1 New England Patriots twice.
In Week 10, the Giants will host the 3-4-1 Bengals on Monday Night Football and the Jets will host the struggling 3-5 Rams, a must-win game to turn the season around.
rrinsky@ramapo.edu
