If the Giants and Jets were two of the worst teams in the league, this would still be an intriguing game because of the New York rivalry. Both of these teams are evenly matched and are right around average teams this year which makes the matchup even better. Throw in the fact that the winner greatly helps their playoff chances, while the loser greatly hurts theirs, and you have potentially one of the best games of the year.
The Jets have more momentum coming into this game as they have won three of their last four, while the Giants have lost five of their last six. Both had embarrassing losses last week to NFC East opponents with weaker records, so they are looking to redeem themselves. Whoever wins gets the bragging rights for four years, and here are the three matchups to help determine who gets to be the best team in New York.
Giants Pair of Running Backs vs. Jets Run Defense
In the last three weeks, both Ahmad Bradshaw (+16.3) and Brandon Jacobs (+4.8) have been healthy. Last week Bradshaw had one of his best games of the year, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Since Jacobs has returned to his backup role, he’s averaged 5.5 yards per carry. They have had very average run blocking compared to other teams in the league, but when the backs are playing this well, good run blocking isn’t needed as much.
However, this week the duo will face their biggest challenge, as it’s hard to find a run defense that is much better than the Jets. Over the last six games, running backs have averaged just 3.1 yards per carry when playing against this great defense. During a few of those games, they were without one of their best run stoppers in defensive end Mike DeVito (+12.7 run defense). He has 19 stops on the year and has yet to miss a tackle. Since the Giants two backs are both above average players, we would expect them to run for more than 3.1 yards per carry, but the question really becomes how much more.
Hakeem Nicks vs. Darrelle Revis
If the Giants are having trouble running the ball, they will need to turn to airing it out. For the most part that hasn’t been a problem, since Eli Manning (+20.8) is having his best year in recent memory and possibly ever. His favorite target, to no one’s surprise, has been Hakeem Nicks (+13.3 catch). He has passed the 1,000 yard mark for the second straight season, and has had at least five catches and at least 70 yards in each of the past four games.
That streak might come to a stop, since the Jets put Darrelle Revis (+15.8) on their opponents best wide receiver. Over the last three games, he has allowed just seven of the 15 balls thrown his way to be caught for a combined 100 yards. Even more impressive, is that only nine of those yards have come after the catch, and he has only allowed 104 yards after the catch all season. However, Revis hasn’t been playing as out of this world good like we’d like him to see. He's failed to earn an interception since Week 7, and has just one pass defensed in the last six games. Expect Nicks to possibly have a catch or two. If Revis completely shuts him down, the Giants will be hurting to score points, but if Nicks can have a typical game for him that will go a long way towards securing a Giants victory.
D’Brickashaw Ferguson vs. Jason Pierre-Paul
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned battle between a great left tackle and a great pass rusher? D’Brickashaw Ferguson (+6.0 pass block) hasn’t been as elite as in past years, but recently has stepped up his play. He has allowed just one sack and seven pressures over the past four games. On the other hand, Jason Pierre-Paul (+25.3) has been having an excellent sophomore season. In the past three games, he’s had three sacks, five hits and seven pressures. Both have had bad games in the past, with Ferguson allowing as much as six overall pressures in one game, while Pierre-Paul has had as few as one overall pressure in a few games. Clearly, one of these players will not have as good of a game as they are used to, and it will be interesting to see which one it is.
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