Which is better in 2023?
Jets and Giants: Which Roster is Better?
The New York Jets and New York Giants will meet on the field yet again this season. However, unlike their last regular-season meeting, both teams are expected to be in the playoff picture. In preparation for the game, many have been wondering which team has the head-to-head advantage.
To help answer that question, let’s take a closer look by position:
Quarterback
Jets: Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson
Giants: Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor
By almost every statistical measure, Jones outperformed Rodgers last season. However, Rodgers has two recent MVP awards under his belt and is motivated to make his former team look foolish for trading him. Jones signed a $40 million-per-year contract extension, meaning he needs to step up and make “Rodgers-esque” plays. Ultimately, the Jets have the edge in this position due to their better backup choice.
Running back
Jets: Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, Israel Abanikanda
Giants: Saquon Barkley, Matt Breida, Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell
Both teams have huge question marks surrounding their running backs. Barkley, who is considered the best running back in New York, has been mentoring Hall, a Jets player who is recovering from a torn ACL. The feeling is mutual as Barkley is dealing with an unsigned franchise tag and no clear information on his return date. Overall, Giants have the edge in this position solely because they have more experience.
Wide receiver
Jets: Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Corey Davis, Randall Cobb, Denzel Mims
Giants: Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell, Wan’Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepherd, Jalin Hyatt
The Jets have a better receiving corps. However, there are several question marks about their players’ health and consistency. The Giants have a more stable group, but lack a true alpha or game-changer that the Jets seem to have in Garrett Wilson.
Tight end
Jets: C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert
Giants: Darren Waller, Daniel Bellinger, Lawrence Cager
The Giants and their new tight end, Waller, have the edge in this position. Waller could be a big force on the field, but health is still a big question mark. Jets have a group of newcomers, which makes it hard to gamble on who will shine.
Offensive line
Jets: Duane Brown, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Mekhi Becton, Joe Tippman, Billy Turner, Max Mitchell
Giants: Andrew Thomas, Ben Bredeson, John Michael Schmitz, Mark Glowinski, Evan Neal, Josh Ezeudu, Matt Peart, Shane Lemieux
The Giants invested heavily to fix their offensive line, and it seems to have paid off. Although the Jets have a lot of players on their roster, the injury issues of their top players Duane Brown, Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker may lead to several challenges.
Defensive line
Jets: Quinnen Williams, Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas, Al Woods
Giants: Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, A’Shawn Robinson, Rakeem Nunez-Roches
The Giants have the edge in this position due to their dynamic duo, Lawrence and Williams. However, the Jets have a strong force in Quinnen Williams, although his contract standoff may lead to some problems.
Linebacker
Jets: C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Hamsah Nasirildeen
Giants: Bobby Okereke, Jarrad Davis, Darrian Beavers, Micah McFadden
The Jets have the clear advantage in this position, as C.J. Mosley continues to play at an All-Pro level for the team. Although the Giants upgraded their roster, they still lack a game-changing linebacker like Mosley.
Edge rusher
Jets: John Franklin-Myers, Carl Lawson, Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons, Will McDonald, Bryce Huff
Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Jihad Ward, Oshane Ximines
The edge in this position is tough to determine, as both teams have a lot of young talent. However, the Jets may have the advantage, especially with their two defensive linemen who can capitalize on fresh fourth-quarter legs.
Cornerback
Jets: Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Brandin Echols, Michael Carter II
Giants: Adoree’ Jackson, Deonte Banks, Cor’dale Flott, Darnay Holmes, Aaron Robinson
The Jets have a highly-acclaimed duo in Gardner and Reed, the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year. However, the Giants have a viable No. 1 cornerback in Adoree’ Jackson, who could give them the slight edge in this position.
FAQs
Q: When will the Jets and Giants meet in the regular season?
A: They will play each other on Oct. 29.
Q: Which team is expected to be in the playoff picture?
A: Both the Jets and Giants.
Q: Who do the Jets have at quarterback?
A: Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson.
Q: Who do the Giants have at quarterback?
A: Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor.
Q: When will Saquon Barkley return to practice?
A: There is no clear date for Barkley’s return.
Q: Who do the Jets have at running back?
A: Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and Israel Abanikanda.
Q: Who do the Giants have at wide receiver?
A: Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell, Wan’Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepherd, and Jalin Hyatt.
Q: Who do the Giants have at tight end?
A: Darren Waller, Daniel Bellinger, and Lawrence Cager.
Q: Who do the Jets have on their offensive line?
A: Duane Brown, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Mekhi Becton, Joe Tippman, Billy Turner, and Max Mitchell.
Q: Who do the Giants have on their defensive line?
A: Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, A’Shawn Robinson, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches.
Q: Who do the Jets have at edge rusher?
A: John Franklin-Myers, Carl Lawson, Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons, Will McDonald, and Bryce Huff.
Q: Who do the Giants have at cornerback?
A: Adoree’ Jackson, Deonte Banks, Cor’dale Flott, Darnay Holmes, and Aaron Robinson.
What will be superior in 2023?
When the Jets and Giants last met in the regular season, they were constructing playoff contenders from two bad rosters. However, both have come a long way since 2019, and when they meet again on Oct. 29, both are expected to be in the playoff picture. With voluntary OTA practices now underway, the question on many people’s minds is which team has the head-to-head advantage. Here’s a position-by-position analysis with key players listed.
At quarterback, Daniel Jones outplayed the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers last season. However, Rodgers won MVPs in 2020 and 2021, is no longer battling a broken thumb, and is motivated to make the Packers look foolish for trading him. Jones needs to make Rodgers-esque plays downfield by extending the pocket to ensure the Giants can compete with the Jets.
Running back has huge question marks on both sides. While the Jets say Breece Hall is ahead of schedule recovering from a torn ACL, there is no guarantee he will be in top form, even if he is ready to play. Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley, the Giants’ best running back, is still unsigned and his recovery is uncertain.
At wide receiver, the Jets have promising Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, while the Giants’ corps seems somewhat skill-redundant. However, receiver depth is a strength for the Giants, with three players who could have been No. 3 options in recent years.
The Giants’ new tight end, Darren Waller, could have an enormous impact, but health is a big question. The Jets’ tight ends are all newcomers, and Tyler Conklin surprisingly outperformed higher-paid C.J. Uzomah and third-round pick Jeremy Ruckert last season.
The Giants have invested heavily in their offensive line and now have a stable unit, but the Jets have three starters recovering from injuries, including Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton.
The Giants’ defensive line, led by Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams, is the team’s strength, while the Jets’ Quinnen Williams, who had 12.5 sacks last season, is unhappy and holding out for a new contract.
The Jets are more athletic at linebacker, with veteran C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams, while the Giants upgraded with Bobby Okereke but lack depth.
Both teams have weaknesses at edge rusher, but the Jets are built to use two waves of defensive linemen, while the Giants have stuck with last season’s group.
At cornerback, the Jets have the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year in Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, while the Giants have Adoree’ Jackson, giving them a viable No. 1 cornerback.