Then fail for Jets rookie QB
needed to score a game-winning touchdown.
The Jets used all four quarterbacks for the first time. Bryce Petty, who had solid showings in the first two preseason games, threw a pick-six on his final pass of the night before Hackenberg replaced him.
GIANT HITS
Plenty of big names on the Giants defense made impressive plays Saturday night, from rookie corner Eli Apple to second-year strong safety Landon Collins, to the entire defensive line of Jason Pierre-Paul, former Jet Damon “Snacks” Harrison, fellow tackle Jonathan Hankins, and big-money signing Olivier Vernon.
Apple had tight coverage on several targets, including an excellent breakup of a pass intended for Eric Decker. Hankins forced a Ryan Fitzpatrick fumble that Harrison recovered to blank the Jets on a drive that started on Big Blue’s 15-yard-line due to a blocked Giants punt.
Pierre-Paul forced a third-down Jets fumble lined up unusually on the inside of the defensive line to force a punt. Collins made a tight tackle in front of the sticks to force another Jets punt. Vernon always seemed like he was in the picture making a play.
Linebacker J.T. Thomas, freshly off the PUP list, even tipped a Petty pass that defensive Kerry Wynn returned 73 yards for a touchdown in Wynn’s first preseason action to jump start the comeback.
“A lot of the guys, especially the young guys, held their own,” Vernon said. “Made some big stops, especially that one turnover we got in the red zone. You need plays like that to win games.”
Injuries dampened the evening for the defense, too, though.Veteran defensive back Leon Hall and rookie linebacker B.J. Goodson both left the game with concussions. Ben McAdoo said he’ll “know more tomorrow” on starting outside linebacker Jonathan Casillas, who left the game after the first drive to undergo X-rays on his ribs.
NASSIB ON TARGET
Maligned backup QB Ryan Nassib, who committed four turnovers in the first two preseason games, completed just 6-of-19 passes on Saturday night. But two of those completions were touchdown passes to wideout Tavarres King, for 27 and 11 yards, respectively, to fuel a comeback win … Running back Andre Williams, considered the primary backup to Rashad Jennings, surprisingly did not play a single snap in the first half .... Backup running back Orleans Darkwa badly missed a block on a Jets blocked punt.
MUM ON BROWN
Ben McAdoo would not say whether the Giants knew about Josh Brown’s second arrest when the team re-signed the kicker this offseason. News broke on Friday that Brown was arrested in July of 2015 for allegedly violating a protection order placed against him by his ex-wife.
“I think John Mara addressed everything about the situation earlier in the week, and I’ll leave John’s comments at that,” McAdoo said.
He had previously been arrested in May of 2015 for domestic violence assault, though no charges were filed.