Each year, the experience is identical for these two teams. Fans hold expectations of a potential playoff run, only for the team to fall short of those hopes. Before this season, the Jets were even considered Super Bowl contenders and had the tenth-best odds to win the Super Bowl. This is because they bolstered their offensive line with eight time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tyron Smith and added other key pieces. Although some of these players were not considered in their prime, they seemed like valuable pieces for the Jets. For the Giants, the outlook wasn’t too bleak. With rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers joining the team and a fairly easy schedule ahead, there was speculation that they might easily make their way into the playoffs. Sadly, neither team finished near expectations. The Giants finished 3-14 and the Jets finished 5-12, with both teams wishing the season could have ended a month earlier.
The Giants season started off with a 2-3 start thanks to close wins against the Browns and Seahawks. They had some luck in the Seahawks game with linebacker Isaiah Simmons blocking a game-winning field goal attempt by the Seahawks leading to a 29-20 win. The losses were ugly, but there was still some hope among Giants fans. This hope disappeared soon after, as the Giants lost 10 straight games. Mr. 160 million dollar contract, Daniel Jones, was cut before week 12 because of his lackluster play. The entire team looked woeful, with a mix of blowouts and close losses. For fans, games were viewed as “torture” to watch. Luckily, they were holding the #1 pick, so all the tanking could be worth it. That was until week 17, against the Colts.
Before this game, the Giants had been 0-8 at home and were staring down their first winless season at home since 1974. Neither fanbase wanted the Giants to win, but somehow the offense was rejuvenated. Backup quarterback Drew Lock scored a career-high 5 total touchdowns, and the Giants won 45-33. This completely sabotaged their draft chances, as they dropped three spots to the #4 pick after that game. Luckily in week 18, they lost to the Eagles despite the Eagles benching their starters, and the Patriots beat the Bills. This meant the Giants would now get the #3 pick, which gives them more flexibility and control compared to the 4th pick.
The Jets started off the season poorly, as their expectations at 2-3, lead to the firing of head coach Robert Saleh after a demoralizing loss to the Vikings in London. The Jets also announced that Todd Downing would replace Nathaniel Hackett as the play caller, with the Jets offense only scoring 15.5 points per game during their first five weeks. Although they traded for six-time pro bowler Davante Adams, their offense would not improve much under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. Ulbrich couldn’t do any better, and the Jets limped to a 5-12 finish. They dealt with persistent injuries and inconsistent quarterback play, with Rodgers’ future now uncertain. Despite major offseason acquisitions, the Jets’ offensive line struggled, and their defense regressed significantly compared to last season.
