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10 things to watch in Giants vs. Jets

10-THINGS-JETS

TAYLOR TO START

Quarterback Daniel Jones will miss his third consecutive game. Jones hurt his neck during the team's Week 5 game against the Miami Dolphins, and despite being a limited participant in practice the last two weeks, the sixth-year quarterback has not yet been cleared for contact.

"I'd just say we're on this week, and we'll see what happens next week. He's getting better. He's getting better..." Daboll told reporters. "He's throwing. He feels better every day. He's done a good job here with the things that he can do out here on the practice field. Take it one day at a time, but he's getting closer."

With Jones ruled out, Tyrod Taylor will start his third consecutive game under center. In last week's win over the Commanders, the veteran quarterback completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 279 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, good for a passer rating of 116.9, while adding 25 yards on the ground.

"I feel comfortable in our offense," Taylor said. "I feel comfortable with the playmakers that we have outside. It's up to me, obviously, to get the ball to those guys, so just trying to spread it around as much as possible, and a lot of those guys create plays."

"He's a pro, he's done this a long time, he's played in a lot of games," the head coach said about the 34-year-old quarterback. "He studies, approaches the game the right way, has good leadership about him. Has gotten the ball out, giving our guys a chance to make plays on the ball. He's done a nice job."

ALL-TIME SERIES

The New York Giants host the New York Jets in MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.

This week's game marks the 15th regular-season meeting between the teams. However, the teams have met every summer in the preseason since 1969, excluding the 2020 pandemic year.

From 1984-2020, the organizations were the only two in the league to share a stadium.

A win on Sunday would improve the Giants' all-time record against the Jets to 9-6. The Jets have won the last two meetings - 23-20 on Dec. 6, 2015 and 34-27 on Nov. 10, 2019 - following a five-game Giants winning streak spanning from 1996 to 2011.

View photos of the Giants on the practice field ahead of the Week 8 matchup against the New York Jets.

INJURY REPORT

Giants

Out: RB Gary Brightwell (hamstring), QB Daniel Jones (neck)

Doubtful: OT Andrew Thomas (hamstring)

Questionable: CB Adoree' Jackson (neck), OT Evan Neal (ankle), C John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee), TE Darren Waller (hamstring)

Jets

Out:OL Joe Tippmann (quad)

Doubtful:WR Irv Charles (shoulder)

Questionable:WR Randall Cobb (shoulder), DB Michael Carter II (hamstring), DL Will McDonald (back)

LATEST ON THE O-LINE

The Giants used their sixth different starting offensive line combination in last week's win over the Commanders. From left to right, the starting lineup was Justin Pugh, Marcus McKethan, Ben Bredeson, Mark Glowinski and Tyre Philips, who just re-signed with the Giants last week after being signed off the Eagles' practice squad.

Sure enough, the unit put together its strongest performance of the season against a talented Commanders' defensive front. The O-line allowed just seven pressures, although two were sacks, on 36 dropbacks. According to PFF, the Giants finished the week with the NFL's seventh-highest pass-blocking efficiency rating, led in part by Glowinski, who the analytics site has down for just one pressure allowed on 79 pass blocking snaps across the last two games.

"I think he's had two good weeks of practice," Daboll said Monday about the veteran guard. "I thought he played well yesterday. He's done a good job of bouncing back and making the most of his opportunities, and I'm looking forward to him continuing to do that."

The biggest question surrounding the offensive line heading into this weekend's matchup is the health of Andrew Thomas and John Michael Schmitz. Thomas has been out since hurting his hamstring in the season opener, while Schmitz hasn't seen the field since early in the Week 4 loss to the Seahawks when he hurt his shoulder. Neither lineman had been able to get onto the practice field in a while, but both Thomas and Schmitz have been limited participants at practice this week. While Thomas is listed as doubtful, Schmitz was given a questionable tag on the final injury report.

"I think let him practice and we'll see how it goes by the end of the week," Daboll said Wednesday about the rookie center. "But I'd say all those guys that have been out for a while are getting better. So, this is kind of their next step here, see how they do at practice."

"First time I've put on a helmet in a while, so that was a good feeling being out there with my teammates again," Thomas said after his first practice back. "More than I've been doing by myself with the trainers and stuff like that. Just continue to stress it and see how it responds."

Additionally, right tackle Evan Neal (ankle) has also been limited in practice this week and is questionable for Sunday.

KAYVON 'MAKES EVERYTHING ROLL' FOR DEFENSE

The Giants' pass rush has come alive recently. The team entered Week 7 with five sacks on the season, but they more than doubled that number in Sunday's win over the Commanders with six takedowns of Sam Howell. Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence led the way with two, but right behind him was outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux with 1.5.

After not registering a sack in the first two games of the season, Thibodeaux has been on a roll ever since. The second-year linebacker has at least one sack in four of the last five games, with 5.5 sacks total during that span, and has also picked up 19 total pressures over that stretch, according to Pro Football Focus. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale praised Thibodeaux's performance and complimented the young edge rusher for his recent play.

"I've said this every time I come up here, I think he's a very good football player and I think he's having a really good season," said Martindale. "I mean, you're talking about a guy in the NFL that as an edge rusher, as a linebacker who played 68 out of the 69 plays, which is a rarity in itself. I think that—where's he at now, five-and-a-half sacks? He makes everything roll for us. I know no matter what he does, it might not reach what some people think he should be doing, but I think he's a hell of a football player. I'm glad that we have him. I'm glad that I've had the opportunity to coach him."

Thibodeaux (knee) is listed as questionable on the injury report.

KAFKA: HYATT, ROBINSON GROWING

Over the last two weeks, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt has seen his playing time increase significantly. Through the first five weeks of the season, Hyatt played more than 50 percent of the team's offensive snaps only once and saw a total of five targets. In the last two games, the rookie wideout has been on the field for over 70 percent of snaps and totaled nine targets, and the results have followed. He caught a season-high three passes in Week 6 against the Bills before reeling in two passes for 75 yards in last week's win over the Commanders. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka indicated the rookie's role could continue to grow as the season continues.

"I'd say he's right on schedule," said Kafka. "Yeah, he's right on schedule, working every single day, looking to improve on all the little things that we talk about in our individual meetings, all the fundamentals, the techniques and getting more accustomed to the offense each week. You can see that growth…

"Jalin's doing a great job in his role, every week's different. I'd say, Jalin's had some good production downfield a little bit, so I think he's finding a role. I think as the weeks go on and the season goes on, maybe it grows a little bit more from there, but he's right on schedule."

Wan'Dale Robinson's rookie season was cut short last year, so the 22-year-old in some ways is still finding his footing in the NFL. Robinson missed the first two games of the year due to last year's torn ACL, and yet he still ranks second on the team with 23 receptions. Kafka has seen Robinson and Hyatt lean on each other, and the rest of the wide receiver room, since the latter was drafted, and believes the entire room has helped the two youngsters grow.

"That whole receiver room is really pretty close, and they do a great job together bouncing ideas off each other and studying and prepping," the offensive coordinator said. "I think those two are really no different, they're young guys trying to learn and grow together so I think if they form a nice little friendship – it's a great leadership that we have in that room with some of those veteran guys too that kind of bring them together."

McFADDEN 'PLAYING WITH A LOT MORE CONFIDENCE'

Inside linebacker Micah McFadden has quietly put together a strong start to his season. In the six games he's played, McFadden has totaled 43 tackles (25 solo), 0.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, one fumble recovery, an interception and two passes defensed. The second-year inside linebacker has stepped his game up considerably over the last two games, which has led to him earning elite marks from Pro Football Focus. In fact, the analytics site ranked McFadden as the top linebacker in the league in Week 7. While the linebacker's strong performances the last two weeks have put him on the radar for many on the national stage, Martindale told the media Thursday he's noticed McFadden's improved play going back to the start of the season.

"I think it's the entire year," the defensive coordinator said about the linebacker's performance. "I think it's been since training camp. He's playing with a lot more confidence this year and the game slowed down for him. He learned a lot last year, got his nose bloodied a little bit and he's come back, and I think he's playing really well."

Several players have contributed to the defense's turnaround in recent weeks, including McFadden and fellow inside linebacker Bobby Okereke. The veteran has registered double-digit tackles in each of the last four games while totaling six passes defensed during that span. The defensive coordinator believes the two linebackers are benefiting from playing alongside each other.

"It helps both ways that they're used to playing with each other and communicating with each other," said Martindale. "You can throw Zay (safety/inside linebacker Isaiah Simmons) in that with third-down stuff, second-and-long stuff, and I think those three have done a nice job."

SAQUON'S IMPACT ON OFFENSE

In the two games since returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks, Saquon Barkley has averaged 108 yards from scrimmage. In that same span, Barkley has totaled seven receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown, including last week's 32-yard catch-and-run for a score. The sixth-year running back is now up to 16 receptions in just four games, which Kafka says is par for the course for the Pro Bowl back.

"I'd say Saquon's doing a great job being – obviously, he's back so it's one of those things where he's involved in the game plan, he's running the ball more," Kafka told reporters. "We can use him outside on the perimeter as a receiver. He had that long touchdown catch which was a great play by him, broke a few tackles, so I think Saquon doing a great job like he has been his whole career."

The Jets' run defense has produced mixed results this year. The unit ranks 26th in yards and 24th in yards per carry allowed this season, but their two rushing touchdowns allowed are tied for the second-fewest. Anchoring the middle of the Jets defense is linebacker C.J. Mosley. The veteran has totaled 59 tackles through six games, including nine or more in five of the six outings. Kafka noted how the offense must keep a close eye on the 2022 All-Pro linebacker on Sunday.

"He's had a ton of production," the offensive coordinator said about Mosley. "I remember him when he was in Baltimore. He had a lot of production there and a lot of production with the Jets so he's a really instinctive player, he's always around the football, he's always tackling the football. He does a great job reading the quarterback's eyes in the pass game and creates a lot of PBU's and pass breakups. Just being around the football, he kind of muddies up the picture for the quarterback, so we'll have to know where he's at every play."

ROSTER UPDATES

The Giants made a series of roster moves prior to beginning their week of practice leading up to this weekend's matchup against the Jets. Let's start on the injury front, where running back Eric Gray and offensive tackle Matt Peart were placed on injured reserve. Gray injured his calf during Sunday's win over Washington, while Peart has been sidelined since Week 5 with a shoulder injury. Both players will be out for at least the next four games.

"Yeah, I'd say we discuss with the doctors, (General Manager) Joe (Schoen) and I discuss it, see where their injury is at, see how long we think it could be, could not be. There's a lot of conversations," Daboll said about the decision to put players on IR. "Peart, we thought it would be a little bit of time. Gray, same thing. Some guys you hold out hope that maybe it's a little bit, maybe it's not. Every injury is different, as you know."

The two spots on the roster were both filled by running backs, one of which the Giants are plenty familiar with. Jashaun Corbin was signed off the Carolina Panthers' practice squad, reuniting the young back with his first NFL team. Corbin spent the entire 2022 campaign on the Giants' practice squad and was with the organization during training camp. He signed to Carolina's practice squad after being waived by the Giants on August 29.

The other spot was filled by running back Deon Jackson, who was released by the Cleveland Browns on Monday. Jackson's career totals include 94 carries for 281 yards and two touchdowns to go with 35 receptions for 223 yards and an additional score. Since making his NFL debut in 2021, Jackson has played 28 games with three starts for the Indianapolis Colts and Browns.

The Giants also made two veteran additions to the practice squad this week. On Monday, the team signed former All-Pro returner Gunner Olszewski, who has returned 75 career punts for 897 yards (12.0 avg.), including a 70-yard touchdown. Olszewski was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday after signing with them as a free agent in 2022. He spent his first three seasons with the New England Patriots, which included his 2020 All-Pro campaign where he led the NFL and set a Patriots franchise record with his 17.3 yards per punt return.

The other practice squad signing was outside linebacker Justin Hollins, who was released by the Packers on Saturday. Hollins has played 59 games with seven starts for the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams and Packers over the last five seasons, where he totaled 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He was also a member of the Rams' Super Bowl LVI-winning team.

SCOUTING THE JETS

When the schedule first came out in May, the Giants thought they'd be facing four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers this weekend. But following the veteran's Achilles injury, the defense will now be going up against quarterback Zach Wilson, who has has helped lead the Jets to a 3-3 record. The third-year QB has completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,097 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions this season for a passer rating of 73.4. Meanwhile, running back Breece Hall appears to be fully healthy after tearing his ACL under a year ago. The second-year back is averaging an impressive 6.5 yards per carry, which currently leads the NFL.

"I think that you can tell that the guy has been around greatness," Martindale said about the young Jets quarterback. "You guys know how I feel about (Jets quarterback) Aaron Rodgers. You can tell the kid's confident – he's not a kid, he's a grown man – but the guy's confidence and how it's grown playing the position. So, I've seen the improvement in the way he's running the offense. The biggest challenge that we're going to have is that running back because he's special. You can tell that he's really come back from his injury, and he's one step and gone, so we need all 11 to get to him."

The Jets have a special talent in their wide receiver room as well in the form of wide receiver Garrett Wilson. The second-year wideout, coming off his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2022, leads the Jets with 32 receptions for 369 yards and two touchdowns. The last time the Jets were on the field, Wilson caught eight passes for a season-high 90 yards. Martindale highlighted the challenge of trying to slow down the talented young receiver.

"They've got a great receiver there in New York," the defensive coordinator told the media. "He's going to make plays. You try to limit them, but he's going to make plays. You've just got to go play the next play and go."

The strength of the Jets undoubtedly rests on the defense, which features talented players on every level. The unit currently ranks third in the league with 13 turnovers, and that's with their bye week having already taken place. 2022 All-Pro lineman Quinnen Williams leads the group up front, but fellow linemen Quinton Jefferson (three) and Bryce Huff (two and a half) actually lead the team in sacks. Meanwhile, the Jets' boast a strong group of linebackers, including Mosley, Quincy Williams and Jermaine Johnson II.

They also have one of the league's top cornerback duos in Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed. Gardner, fresh off last year's Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign, has three pass breakups and a forced fumble in five games this year. Gardner and Reed both cleared concussion protocol on Friday and are good to go for this weekend's matchup.

"I just think (Jets Head) Coach (Robert) Saleh does a great job," said Daboll. "His defenses are always well coached. Competed against him when he was in San Francisco and I was in Buffalo. I think the world of him as a guy. He's got a defense that plays with high energy, specific type of guy that plays extremely hard. They rotate their front four like hockey shifts. They've got two really good corners. I'd say they kind of do what they do on early downs, and they do it very, very well and then they give you some issues schematically in some passing situations."

View rare photos from the local rivalry between the Giants and Jets.

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