The (3-3) New York Jets and (2-5) New York Giants will renew their rivalry for the best team in town this Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
After having a bye last week, the Jets are looking for their third win in a row as they look to keep pace with the Dolphins and Bills. The Giants are looking to ride the momentum from their best performance of the season last week when they defeated Washington 14-7.
Whenever these two teams play each other, it’s always entertaining. Here’s our take on five bold predictions for the game.
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Jalin Hyatt will catch a 50-yard touchdown on Sauce Gardner
As the season has progressed, rookie Jalin Hyatt has become more involved in the offense. Last week, he had a season-high five targets and he caught two of them for 75 yards. Slowly but surely, Hyatt is developing into a big threat the Big Blue has sorely needed, as he has three receptions on the season that have been 30 yards or more.
The Giants’ offense will have a tough time mounting long drives against the Jets’ defense. So, look for Tyrod Taylor to challenge the Jets’ secondary with the speedy rookie receiver.
Taylor tried to connect with Hyatt deep downfield when these two teams played in the preseason, but the pass was incomplete. On that play, Hyatt was able to get past Sauce Gardner. Hyatt will once again run by Gardner and this time, it will result in the rookie’s first NFL touchdown from 50 yards out.
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Breece Hall will rush for two touchdowns
It goes without saying that Breece Hall is one of the best running backs in football. In fact, some say the Jets’ record would be better if they got the ball into his hands more often.
Coming into this week, Hall was ninth in the NFL in rushing with 426 yards and is averaging 6.5 yards per carry, but he only has two rushing touchdowns this season. This week, he’ll go up against a Giants defense that has allowed 10 rushing touchdowns so far. Look for the 22-year-old running back to equal his rushing touchdown total for the season as he’ll find the end zone twice on Sunday.
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Saquon Barkley will have his first 100-yard rushing game of the season
The last time these teams faced each other was back in 2019, and Gang Green’s defense completely shut down Saquon Barkley as he gained just one yard on 13 carries. Both teams’ rosters are vastly different than what they were four years ago, but you can be sure that Barkley remembers that game.
The Jets’ run defense has struggled this season, allowing 135 yards per game. Barkley has run the ball over 20 times in each of the last two games but has yet to reach the century mark. That will change on Sunday as the 26-year-old running back will have his first 100-yard rushing game of the season.
Zach Wilson will complete 75% of his passes
No player comes into this game facing more pressure than Zach Wilson, who’s had an up-and-down season. Many believe the Jets would be a Super Bowl contender if Aaron Rodgers hadn’t torn his Achilles.
Wilson has two games this season where he’s completed over 70 percent of his passes but has three games in which he’s completed fewer than 58% of his passes. The third-year quarterback also has more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (4) on the season.
Rain is in the forecast for Sunday, which can make throwing the ball challenging. But Wilson will focus on short and intermediate passes against Wink Martindale’s aggressive and exotic scheme and surprise fans by completing 75 percent of his passes.
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The Giants defense will sack Zach Wilson five times
Coming into last week’s game against the Commanders, Big Blue’s defense had only recorded five sacks on the season. But they more than doubled that total, sacking Sam Howell six times last Sunday.
Some are calling this an arbitration as Howell has been sacked more than any quarterback in the NFL. But the team and Martindale are confident that last week was a sign of things to come.
The Jets’ offensive line has allowed 20 sacks on the season, including five in their last game against the Philadelphian Eagles. Led by Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants’ pass rush will be dominant once again as they will sack Wilson five times.
Prediction: Although the Giants have the better quarterback in this matchup, the Jets have a better overall team. Look for the Jets to pull off a close win.
Jets vs. Giants score prediction: Jets 20, Giants 17.
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