The New York football scene stands on rocky ground. Both the Giants and the Jets are struggling in different ways and for different reasons. Over the past few weeks, both clubs have come under media and fan scrutiny over their lack of success. The Jets have been a team plagued with uncertainty and misfortune since the start of the year. Very early on in the season, the team lost two star players: wide receiver Santonio Holmes, a top-flight pass catcher, and cornerback Darrelle Revis, perhaps the best defensive back in the league. To lose two key players on an otherwise shaky roster would be tough for any team, but the Jets have the added pressure of intense media analysis at every turn because of their fiery coach Rex Ryan. Ryan, known for his bold predictions of Super Bowl championships and big mouth, draws the ire of football fans and media personalities alike. The bottom line is that the Jets’s record is 3-6, and the team has been outscored 58-16 in their last two games. Overall, the Jets’ game is struggling. Is it time for Tim Tebow to take over? Only time and a coach in the hot seat will tell.
In head coach Tom Coughlin’s seven seasons, the Giants have proven to struggle in the second half of the regular season. And the trend has certainly continued, as Big Blue has dropped its last two games to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals. At the center of the Giants’ struggles is quarterback Eli Manning. From last season into this season, it seems as though the Giants have risen and fallen with the performance of their star quarterback — a pattern that is not unexpected. In his last three games, in which the Giants were 1-2, Manning has thrown zero touchdowns and four interceptions. The offense has looked stagnant during this stretch, especially in the red zone, or inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Despite their history as a runn-first team, the Giants have developed an offense that uses the pass to open up the run with Manning at the helm. Therefore, his struggles make the entire game plan sputter, and the defense has also struggled over the past few games. After almost allowing a Hail Mary pass to Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant in Week 8, the defense has given up 55 points in the last two games.
This is a sign of a mediocre defense. Despite a couple stellar performances, this is the way they have been performing all year. To avoid the seemingly inevitable second-half swoon, both Manning and the defense will need to improve their game.
Chris Marcotrigiano is a staff writer. Email him at [email protected].
