Giants-Jets “Kudos & Wet Willies” Review

After a one-game hiatus caused by a business trip to SB Nation headquarters, “Kudos & Wet Willies” is back! So, let’s get right to the good and the bad from Saturday’s 32-31 victory by your New York Giants over the New York Jets.

Kudos to ...

Jason Pierre-Paul — JPP was a presence throughout his 29 snaps. He had a tackle for a safety, a sack, batted down a pass, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss. After the game he said he was “just getting warmed up.” OK, then.

Mike Nugent — Turned up the heat on Aldrick Rosas in their placekicking competition with field goals of 50 and 54 yards. He also put all four of his kickoffs into the end zone, including one that went over the back line.

Travis Rudolph — When Rudolph made his brilliant 57-yard catch-and-run, leaping high to snatch a Josh Johnson pass away from Jets cornerback Darryl Roberts, my immediate thought was “that’s how you make the roster.” The undrafted free agent from Florida State might just have done that with his work Saturday.

Brett Jones — I have no idea how Jones will grade out or what coach Ben McAdoo will see when he looks at the film (which I’m sure he already has), but what I do know is the Giants’ offense functioned better when Jones took over at right guard for John Jerry. Jones also spent much of the second half playing center, his natural position.

Evan Engram — The rookie tight end showed what kind of weapon he can be in the passing game with a 19-yard catch over the middle on a third-and-8 and a 13-yard catch over the middle that resulted in another first down. He also threw a good enough block on Orleans Darkwa’s 1-yard touchdown run.

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Brad Wing — While Nugent was bombing field goals and kickoffs all over MetLife Stadium, Wing was doing the same with punts. He averaged 49.3 yards on six punts, with a long of 59 yards and an excellent net average of 42.8 yards per punt.

Todd Bowles — The Jets’ coach chose to go for a two-point conversion after his team scored to close within 32-31 with 1:26 remaining. The fact that the attempt failed is irrelevant. If it had succeeded, that also would have been irrelevant. Bowles’ decision saved everyone from the ugliness of overtime in a preseason game. “Kudos” for that.

Wet Willies to ...

John Jerry — Coach Ben McAdoo said Jerry’s exit from the game in favor of Brett Jones had been the plan all along. Still, it wasn’t a good look. Jerry got run over by Sheldon Richardson in his final play, which led to Eli Manning making an awful decision and throwing an interception. Jones and D.J. Fluker then both got some reps with the first-team offensive line.

Nigel Tribune — Committed a 31-yard pass interference that set up a Jet touchdown, had a second penalty declined and gave up a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ardarius Stewart.

Preseason injuries — The Giants lost a bevy of players. Eli Apple (ankle), Jay Bromley (knee), Evan Schwan (left leg), Shaun Draughn (concussion, neck), Adam Gettis (foot) and Duke Ihenacho (knee). The Jets may have also lost quarterback Bryce Petty to a serious knee injury.