New York Jets vs New York Giants – NFL Week 16: Preview
The New York Jets and the New York Giants meet up at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday for a game that has been much hyped about with both the team’s coaches locked up in a war of words with each other.
It was the Jets Coach Rex Ryan who initiated the standoff by declaring the Jets were the better side and that they would be so for the next ten years. His claims were also aimed at not only taking control of the town but also the
League eventually.
"Saturday, I think, would go a long way to doing that. We have to win this game. We have to get in the playoffs, and the Giants have to do the same." Ryan said.
Ryan further boasted that he was not there to be a little brother for anybody. All said, he also had the guts to acknowledge that in case of a defeat all the blame will be on him.
Ryan had also shown the courage to stand up for every word he said.
After a long silence, the Giants Coach Tom Coughlin finally spoke out but unlike Ryan he did not resort to any sort of boast. He simply wants to wait till the game is over to decide which side is better. A more realistic type of
approach has been adopted by Coughlin.
"I just say, regardless of the talk, it will be decided at one o'clock Saturday afternoon. Regardless of what is said. Talk is cheap, play the game. That is the way I've always believed." Tom Coughlin said.
Ryan responded in the same defiant manner saying he did not care for what anybody including Coughlin thought of and all he worried for was his own opinion.
Maybe what Ryan was trying to accomplish from his boasts was to divert the attention of his players from the humiliating 45-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and motivate them for the game this Saturday. Whatever the reason, he
is sure to feel the outrage and embarrassment in case the Jets fail to live up to his words. In any case, this game maybe all the Jets coach has to capitalize upon. In fact that goes true for the Giants as well. A defeat for any of the two sides will surely
compromise their chances to make it to the playoffs. It’s a must win situation for both the teams. So maybe that is why Ryan is putting so much weight behind this game.
The Giants defence has gone down recently allowing around 432 yards per game with the defensive ends failing to come up with good tackles. On the other hand Jets defence is known for allowing around 205 yards per game which is
far better than the Giants. However in the past six games they managed a mere three interceptions.
The situation isn’t good either for the Jets who have seemingly recovered from injuries but may still be without the best kick returner in NFL. Running back Joe McKnight with an average of 32.3 yards will be much missed if he fails
to show up for the game. He has a separated right shoulder and is also nursing a problem with his elbow. It is yet to be seen whether he will play or not.
However the good news for Jets is that they will be seeing their quarterback Mark Sanchez in action. Sanchez who is nursing a neck sore is looking forward to playing.
"It's just been a little sore. I've taken some good shots. It's part of the game." Sanchez said.
Sanchez with 3009 yards of passing and 23 touchdowns may provide the Giants with a hard time. His counterpart Eli Manning with 4362 yards and 25 touchdowns is having one of the best times in his career. Manning enjoys a pass completing
percentage of around 61 percent. So the Jets may not find an easy time themselves. Supported by receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, Manning will surely come hard on the Jets. However the receiving end at the hand of the Jets is strong too with Plaxico
Burress out there.
Historically speaking the Giants have kept the ground in their feud with the Jets. Of the eleven matches fought between the two sides, the Giants have won seven including the last four. Will the Jets avoid a fifth straight loss
or lessen their defeat ratio will be decided this Saturday in one of the most tense match of the league.
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