FanPost

Are The Jets Really Better?

I've been hearing (and reading) a lot of misinformed, delusional people flapping their yaps about how the Jets are now "New York's Team" and that they are a Super Bowl Contender because of the Rodgers trade. Growing up, I was taught that the real New York teams are the Giants, Yankees, and Knicks while the "ets" teams (Jets, Mets, Nets) have been and will always be the red-headed stepchild. Therefore, it always amuses me when the perennially embarrassing Jets are predicted to do well despite the fact they have yet to see January football since Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan were calling the shots. Here's why they will implode again, and why the Giants are superior for 2023.

Both Teams Play in Tough Divisions and Have Tough Schedules

The AFC and NFC East are the two toughest divisions, so it's likely both the Giants and Jets struggle against the other three teams. To make matters worse, the NFC East and AFC East play each other this year. However, the Jets have to play the Bills, Cowboys, Patriots, Chiefs, Broncos, and Eagles as their first six games. I give them two wins at most. The Giants play about an equally as tough schedule overall but have easier opponents sprinkled in throughout that can prevent a demoralizing 2-3 game losing streak (Cardinals, Commanders, Raiders, Packers, Saints, Rams) are all teams they should beat. I favor the Giants over the Patriots and Dolphins, and I think Seattle is also winnable. The Jets have a slightly tougher schedule overall. Even if you want to argue the Giants have a tougher schedule, which by the way there is a valid argument for, it's still close enough that people shouldn't expect the Jets to have that much of a better record than the Giants.

Advantage: Giants

The Constant Threat of Injury

Both teams have quarterbacks who have been injured, and while Rodgers has had a healthier career opposed to Jones (2013 and 2017 were his only injured seasons) he is pushing 40 and his backup is Zack Wilson. Even if Jones gets injured, Tyrod Taylor is a much more capable backup. The only two other players with injury concerns on either team are Saquon Barkley and Mekhi Becton. Both players getting hurt wouldn't outright tank a season, but the Giants need Barkley more than the Jets need Becton.

Verdict: Equal. Both teams have an offense that is dependent on one player being on the field. (Barkley and Rodgers). Although an injury to Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, or Mekhi Becton could tank the Jets, similarly how an injury to Xavier Mckinney, Andrew Thomas, or Dexter Lawrence could tank the Giants. *Knocks on wood*

Who Has The Better Roster?

QB

Rodgers lacked a number one receiver last year but now has Garrett Wilson. It almost felt like Davante leaving led Aaron to have one foot out the door. I think he plays like he cares this year and goes back to a version closer to his MVP self. However, Rodgers is 39 and getting hit at that age is not good. If the Jets are playing Zack Wilson their season is over.

Jets: 8/10

Daniel Jones is objectively an above average starting QB. His mobility is his biggest asset, and he is not afraid to stand in the pocket and take a hit to make a throw. He improved with Daboll and Kafka in year one, and with more weapons and continuity he should take another leap this year. Tyrod Taylor is a competent backup who can keep games competitive.

Giants: 7/10

RB

Breece Hall is a good back who performed well before an injury. His backups are uninspiring in what is going to a pass first offense. Zonovan Knight and Michael Carter strike fear into nobody.

7/10

Saquon Barkley is an elite talent who can do anything asked of him. Matt Breida is a competent backup, but not one who can spell Barkley for an extended period of time. The Giants are hoping Eric Gray can be that guy.

9/10

WR

Garrett Wilson is a number one receiver. A good route runner with strong YAC, he looks to become the Gang Green version of Davante Adams. Corey Davis, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Randall Cobb round out a strong group.

8/10

There is no leader of the pack for the Giants, but Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins performed adequately last year. Wan'Dale Robinson and Parris Campbell are two players who should also contribute regularly. It's an average group until proven otherwise.

5/10

TE

CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin will provide competent play.

5/10

Darren Waller, if healthy, is a top 5 TE in the league. Daniel Bellinger is an ascending talent who can do it all. If not for Waller's injury issues the grade would be higher.

8/10

OL

The Jets have an injury prone right tackle and an aging left tackle. If both are available they get the job done well enough, but they are still beatable. The interior of the line is strong, with Alijah Vera Tucker, Joe Tippman, Laken Tomlinson, and Connor Mcgovern. It's not an elite group, but at worst it should be a good one and at best it can be a very good one.

8/10

The Giants have a bonafide elite left tackle to go with a promising rookie center. The guards are league average until proven otherwise. They badly need Evan Neal to fulfill his potential. This line isn't bad enough to lose games,and is good at run blocking.

5/10

DL

I'll save some time and just give both teams a 9/10. They each have a dominant defensive tackle to pair with young, improving pass rushers.

LB

Once again, both teams receive the same grade as they each have one solid starter (CJ Mosley and Bobby Okereke) and question marks after.

4/10

CB

Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed are a formidable duo. Gardner might already be top 3 in the league.

9/10

The Giants have a solid starter in Adoree Jackson to pair with first round rookie Tae Banks. The depth consists of unproven young players the team is counting on to step up.

6/10

S

Chuck Clark and Jordan Whitehead are a solid pair that provide reliability and sure tackling.

6/10

S

The Giants have Xavier Mckinney and not much else.

4/10

Verdict: Jets. They have slightly more top end talent and young, ascending talent.

So why do I think the Giants are better? For starters, they are better coached. Saleh doesn't maximize his players the way Daboll, Kafka, and Wink do. Last year the Giants played the game their way and adjusted enough on a per week basis to remain competitive with an overachieving roster. I expect Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal, and Tae Banks to either become elite this season or next. Couple that with improvements from Wan'Dale Robinson, Daniel Bellinger, Ben Bredeson, Josh Ezeudu, and Parris Campbell on offense and Xavier Mckinney, Darrian Beavers, Azeez Ojulari, and Cor'Dale Flott on defense and the Giants have a balanced roster. The Jets greatest flaw is going to be protecting Rodgers from elite edge rushers and finding ways to score when teams double Garrett Wilson. Furthermore, the Jets had more talent last year and won less because Saleh is similar to guys like Mike Mccarthy. They can coach a team well enough but don't grasp the nuances of time management and other aspects besides the Xs and Os. Coaching is a huge aspect of the game and the Giants are blessed with good ones after years of incompetency. Consider this post a thank you to Dabes, because he has restored the natural order of New York: Big Blue>Gang Green

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