This week was crucial for both starting quarterbacks in the Meadowlands, as Giants rookie QB Tommy DeVito was looking to prove himself as a solid backup option, taking advantage of the opportunity he was given. On the other hand, Zach Wilson needed to show the Jets that he was worthy of their 2nd overall pick and to not move on from him just yet.
The two players could not have had more different games, with DeVito passing for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Zach Wilson only got 81 yards with a touchdown and interception. The Giants, behind DeVito’s masterful performance, picked up their 3rd victory of the season against the Washington Commanders. The Jets, however, weren’t as lucky and fell to the Bills 32-6.
DeVito Leads Giants to 31-19 Victory
Entering the game, it was safe to say that the Giants were no longer playing for a playoff spot, owning a record of 2-8 and sitting at last place in their division. This gave the Giants new QB Tommy DeVito an excellent opportunity to get NFL experience without the added stress of fighting for playoff contention.
DeVito didn’t start off hot with the Giants’ first two drives ending in punts, but their defense came into the game prepared, getting two takeaways, an interception and fumble, on the Commanders’ first two drives of the game.
Starting with the ball in Commanders territory, the Giants were already threatening to score and two consecutive 24-yard passes from DeVito put the Giants on the board first, with Saquon Barkely getting the touchdown reception.
The Giants defense continued to dominate the Commanders, allowing just a field goal to be scored in the first quarter. The Giants responded back quickly, however, with a 62-yard touchdown drive not long after. This time the scoring came on a 40-yard receiving touchdown from Darius Slayton, giving DeVito two touchdowns before halftime. On the next drive, the Commanders found the endzone for the first time, cutting their deficit to just 5, making it a 14-9 game at the end of the first half.
The 3rd quarter was not very exciting for the Giants offense, who had only had two drives and gained a total of 8 yards in both drives. However, their defense continued to shine, getting two more takeaways in the quarter, both on fumbles. Despite the defensive success, the Commanders still managed to score on a field goal, making it just a two point game with one quarter left.
After a scoreless 3rd quarter, the Giants immediately got back on the board with a quick, two minute touchdown drive that ended in another Saquon Barkley touchdown reception. The Giants defense got yet another takeaway on the following drive, now having accumulated two interceptions and three fumbles. A field goal gave them a 24-12 lead, but the Commanders offense finally began to gain some momentum on a 57-yard touchdown drive.
Having the chance to put the game away with a touchdown, the Giants failed to do so and punted the ball to the Commanders, who had just under two minutes to score a touchdown and secure a victory. The Commanders pushed their way into Giants territory and with less than 30 seconds left, the Giants got their 6th takeaway, another interception, which Isaiah Simmons proceeded to take to the house, securing a win.
Jets Offensive Struggles Continue in 32-6 Loss to Bills
With both teams on the verge of making the playoffs, Sunday’s game played a crucial role for both of their seasons moving forward. Despite already losing to the Jets once this year and having just fired their offensive coordinator, the Bills were odds-on favorites to win the game. It was clear to see why as the Jets fumbled the opening kickoff, putting the Bills in field goal range after less than 10 seconds of game time.
The Jets defense, yet again, did what they’ve done all year and got a huge stop, forcing the Bills to lose 9 yards on the drive and kick a field goal. The Jets offense was unable to get anything going the entire first quarter and despite consistently holding the Bills to field goals, they were still down 9-0.
The Bills were the first team to make their way into the endzone, with a 5-yard touchdown reception from James Cook making it a 16-0 game. Desperately needing to score, the Jets managed to get their first touchdown in the month of November on a 9-yard passing touchdown to Breece Hall. However, the enjoyment was short-lived as they failed to convert on a two-point conversion, making it a 16-6 game entering the second half.
The entire second half was played poorly by the Jets, who were unable to score a single point the rest of the game and gave up 16 more in the process. More discussed than the loss, though, was the benching of QB Zach Wilson, who’s spot as a starter seemed to be secure up until a few weeks ago. Backup Tim Boyle came in during the 4th quarter, causing uncertainty among who will now be starting for the Jets moving forward.
What This Means Heading Into Week 12
Despite winning, not much has changed for the Giants, as it is virtually impossible for them to make the playoffs, as even if they win out, a playoff spot is still not guaranteed and considering that they have two more games against the Eagles, it is highly unlikely that that will happen. The Giants will face the Patriots next week, one of the few teams in the league with a worse record than them, making a win very likely.
For the Jets, playoff hopes aren’t lost but they are dwindling fast, a win this Friday is a must if they want any chance at contending for a playoff spot. Before the Jets even think about how to win, they must first decide about who will start their next game as it is still undecided whether Zach Wilson will get another shot or will finally be benched. They will be taking on an elite Dolphins offense in the inaugural Black Friday football game, so their defense will have their work cut out for them.