Jets Escape Teneesee Thanks to Titans Mistakes

 It was not pretty, but somehow, someway the New York Jets came away with their first win of the year, a 24-17 triumph over the Tennessee Titans to improve to 1-1 on the season. 

While it feels good to see Gang Green get back in the win column after a frustrating Week 1 loss last Monday in San Francisco, the Jets performance left a lot to be desired. 

Yes, Aaron Rodgers look solid, if not unspectacular in the win. He completed 18-of-30 for 176 yards and threw two touchdowns. He had terrific touch on the football, and his accuracy was on point. He hit Breece Hall on a beautiful fade pattern down the sideline for a 26-yard touchdown that gave the Jets a 14-10 lead in the third quarter. 

More importantly Rodgers spread the football around, and we got a glimpse of how dynamic this Jets offense can be when everything is working.

 Mike Williams made a terrific catch on a perfect pass down the sideline to move the chains. Tyler Conklin and Malachi Corley each had catches on the day. 

Still it wasn't perfect. For long stretches of this game, the Jets offense couldn't get on the field as the defense once again struggled to stop its opponent. 

Braelon Allen. Getty Images.

 

Only this time it wasn't the NFC Champion 49ers, but a young Tennessee Titans team. There were times Sunday where the Titans moved the football at will. Tony Pollard had 62-yards rushing with most of those carries coming in the first half of the ballgame, and at times, quarterback Will Levis looked dynamic for Tennessee. 

His wild 40-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley in the third quarter that tied the game at 17 was the prime example. However for each big throw Levis made, he had his moments that left Titans coach Brian Callahan scratching his head. 

For example, with Tennessee poised to score and grab a 14-0 lead, Levis inexplicably decided to toss the football laterally at the last minute. The play resulted in a fumble, recovered by Jets linebacker Quincy Williams. 

Later, Levis heaved a ball down the middle of the ballpark that was picked off by Brandon Echols. The Jets quickly cashed in when Rodgers guided the Jets on a 12-play drive culminating in a touchdown pass to Braelon Allen to tie the game up at seven. 

Late in the game with New York clinging to a 24-17 lead, the Jets defense almost blew it. Salomon Thomas had Levis in his grasp, but the quarterback worked out of a sack and scrambled up the middle to the Jets 10 yard line for anew set of downs. 

Fortunately for New York, the Jets were able to put the clamps down at this point to preserve the win, but it certainly didn't come without any heartache. 

INJURY
While the win is huge for the Jets, there was a price to pay, and that is the loss of defensive end Jermaine Johnson, who tore his Achilles in the fourth quarter. He is out for the season. That is a huge blow to a unit that was already thin in spots with corner back D.J. Reed having missed the game due to injury, and C.J. Mosely dinged up by injuries the past two weeks. 

Does the Johnson injury mean the Jets finally negotiate with defensive end Haason Reddick who remains a hold out? The Jets need help badly on defense.

Giants Play Better, But Drop to 0-2

 Well, you can't pin all the blame on Daniel Jones for this one. 

Not when Jones threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns. He gave his team a chance to win the game. 

But the Giants defense decided not to come to play at all in Washington on Sunday, as the G-Men fell to 0-2 following a 21-18 loss. Washington's rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels did whatever he wanted throwing for 226 yards on 23-of-29 passing. 

Daniel Jones sacked in Week 2 at Washington. Getty Images.

 

Meanwhile Brian Robinson Jr. gashed Big Blue for 133 yards on the ground. Overall, Washington rolled up 425 yards of offense and help the football for over 37 minutes of action. 

Sure the Giants held Washington to six field goals, but it doesn't matter when your defense can't get turnovers, and can't make a rookie quarterback look like, well, a rookie. 

So here are the Giants at 0-2 for the 10th time in the last 12 seasons. It's a familiar sick feeling Giants fans have grown accustomed to. It feels like it will be a long time before Big Blue sees the win column this season.

Aaron Judge Goes Long as Yankees Trounce Sox

 Look out everyone Aaron Judge is starting to get hot again. 

After blasting his 52nd home run of the year on Friday with a Grand Slam homer to win it for the Yankees, the AL MVP candidate crushed a two-run blast on Sunday afternoon that propelled the Yankees to a 4-0 lead en route to an impressive 5-2 win over Boston. 

That is now 53 homers for Judge who still has an outside shot in the final two weeks at tying his own career high of 62. We shall see. 

But the biggest news is the Yankees have their slugger hitting well down the stretch. He is hitting .320 over his last seven games, and the Yankees have been winning in the clutch of late. Late inning victories over Kansas City and Boston on this recent home stand should make Yankees fans feel good. 

It should also feel good that New York has now built a three-game lead over Baltimore in the AL East. In a crowded American League playoff, the Yankees could use the number 1 seed to their advantage. It will be a harder road in the AL Playoffs without it this year. 

With 13 games to go, the Yankees are in the catbird seat for playoff and division clinchers in the coming days. 

And, hey, the Yankees Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots also cliched a spot in the Double-A Eastern League playoffs behind the superlative efforts of Spencer Jones and a revived pitching staff. 

Lindor to Have MRI on Back as Mets Dropped by Phillies

 Mets short stop and MVP candidate Francisco Lindor had to leave Sunday's game with back discomfort in the first inning after lining a base hit to open the contest. Lindor, who didn't play on Saturday after the back discomfort propped up on Friday night will go for an MRI on Monday in New York when the Mets return home to open a seven game home stand. 

"We're gonna do some images and see if there's anything concerning in there," Lindor said after the game. "If not, then we continue to try and get better. The goal is to be available as many times as I can in these last [13] games that we have left. And that's pretty much it."

 

Francisco Lindor rounds the bases. Getty images.

The Mets need Lindor to come through the evaluation with flying colors. He has been their best player in all facets of the game both defensively, offensively and as a clubhouse leader. 

In a year when Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo have not exactly been consistent enough in the lineup, Lindor has been the exception. He has been tremendous, and has lifted this franchise to incredible heights this year. Without him, the Mets have dropped two game in Philadelphia, including Sunday's 2-1 walk-off loss. 

It was the first time since May that the Mets lost a series to a National League opponent. 

With 13 games to go, every game matters that much more, especially with the Mets battling the Atlanta Braves for the final wild card slot. 

Should Lindor miss time, it could be a huge dent on the Mets playoff hopes. Stay tuned. 

Jets Defense a Total No Show vs. 49ers

 Well at least Aaron Rodgers completed an entire game this time. 

While all eyes were on the health and play of Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers going into their Week 1 match-up with the San Francisco 49ers, the facts are this New York's defense never came to play in a humbling 32-19 loss on Monday Night Football. 

Aaron Rodgers against San Francisco. Getty Images

Rodgers acquitted himself well on Monday. While he looked a little rusty and stiff in the pocket, when he needed to make plays he did. He showed that familiar zip with the football, completed passes in tight windows, and fooled San Fran on a beautiful fade down the field to his fellow former Packers teammate Allen Lazard for six points. 

The key here of course is: "when the Jets had the ball;" which wasn't often. The Jets held possession for only 21 minutes and 25 seconds; the lowest amount of T.O.P. in Rodgers' entire career. 

That is mainly due to the fact that the Jets defense was putrid on Monday. Gang Green was out-schemed, out-coached, and out-smarted all night. 

The Niners were without their stud running back Christian McCaffery and it didn't matter. Filling in was little know veteran Jordan Mason, who looked more like Marshawn Lynch in his prime the way he blasted through Jets defenders. Mason ran for 147 yards and a score. He would have had two touchdowns were one of them not called back for holding. 

Tip your cap to the 49ers offensive line which was spectacular against the Jets defense. They bullied the Jets all night, and New York had no answer. 

The result was 401 yards of offense on 70 plays for San Francisco. 

Even quarterback Brock Purdy was able to sit back and throw the ball all over the ballpark. 

Think the Jets miss not having John Franklin Myers (traded to Denver) or Bryce Huff (Free agency to Philly) around? How about Haason Reddick who remains a holdout? 

Maybe, just maybe General Manager Joe Douglas needs to hop on that phone and put an end to this ridiculous hold out before it is too late. The Jets need help defensively. 

Robert Saleh promised a better effort from the D moving forward. That must happen. Monday Night's result wasn't a season ender, but it certainly was a wake-up call to a team that believes it can compete with the big dogs come December and January. 

They have the quarterback to get them there, but he needs a little help too. 

Giants Fans Fed Up with Daniel Jones Amid 28-6 Opening Loss

 

If Week 1 was any indication, it is going to be a very long year for Daniel Jones and the New York Giants.

On a sun-splashed afternoon, with legends like Lawrence Taylor, Phil Simms, Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin, and Bill Parcells in the house to commemorate the franchises 100th anniversary, the Giants laid the biggest egg one could think of to start the season, losing to the Minnesota Vikings 28-6.

Right from the get go it didn't look good. The Giants offense went three-and-out on its first series. Then followed that up by sluggishly moving into field goal range after the Vikings fumbled the ball back to Big Blue on its first possession.

You knew something was not right. 

Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones. Getty Images

 

Before anyone could blink the Vikings and quarterback Sam Darnold caught fire. The former Jets first round pick was slinging the ball around MetLife Stadium like he never did before when he was wearing green & white.

He guided the Vikings on a five-play, 65-yard scoring drive late in the first quarter to take a 7-3 lead. Then he led Minnesota to another score, this one the length of the field in 11 plays. His 44-yard pass to Justin Jefferson was the key. A few plays later, Darnold found Jefferson in the end zone for the score to make it 14-3. 

 As for the Giants and quarterback Daniel Jones, they had nothing. Statistically, he was 22-of-42 for 186 yards, but he couldn't settle in. The pick six that Jones threw right into the waiting arms of Andrew Van Ginkel who skipped into the end zone for the finishing score sent Giants fans heading for the exits -- at least those that remained. 

 It was not pretty. Giants fans booed their team relentlessly. And it only got worse after the game was over. 

 

Dexter Lawrence snapped back at the fans when asked about the booing by reporters.

"Could I hear them? Get another question please. I don't respect it. I get it. They want to see their team win. It's just a rough patch," Lawrence said.

The problem is the fans aren't going away. And if Sunday's loss is any indication the Giants are in for a brutal season. The loss was errily similar to last year's 40-0 beatdown the Giants took to Dallas in Week 1. That was the start of a 6-11 campaign. What was Sunday's the start of?

How angry are Giants fans? Well on social media video surfaced of fans heckling Daniel Jones as he left. Others were burning his jersey.

Many more were asking Head Coach Brian Daboll bench Jones for either Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito.

 Is it fair? No, of course not. Daniel Jones isn't solely to blame for all of the Giants problems. Any reasonable person can see that.

Perhaps Dexter Lawrence should take understand Giants fans frustration a little better. They have seen only two winning seasons in the last 11 years, and too many days like Sunday.

 

All Eyes on Daniel Jones As Giants Begin 100th Season

 The New York Giants are busy celebrating their 100th anniversary this season. Fans packed MetLife Stadium on Friday night to celebrate with a season opening fan fest that featured former Giants legends through the years. 

But as the season kicks-off Sunday, it almost feels solemn. That's because the expectations are not high coming into the season; at least not the fans, and certainly not the media. 

Daniel Jones Getty Images.

 

The Giants are coming off a disappointing 6-11 season that was quickly followed up by a disappointing off-season highlighted by Saquon Barkley's departure for Philadelphia. If the Hard Knocks series this summer that featured an seemingly miffed John Mara over Barkley's exit, Giants fans couldn't be happy to see their former first round pick from 2018 score three times for the Eagles on Friday night in Brazil. 

So when the Giants take the field Sunday to face the Minnesota Vikings to open the season, they will do so with all eyes on quarterback Daniel Jones. 

This is the guy General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll put all their faith in prior to the 2023 season when they extended Jones to a four-year, $160 million deal, and opted not to do so with Barkley. 

Jones was miserable last season. Poor play and injuries did him in in 2023.  This off-season wasn't much better. He had to compete with Drew Lock for the starting job. And yes, last season's December hero Tommy DeVito was looking over Jones' shoulder too.  

To say that Jones is under pressure to start the 2024 season would be a major understatement. One bad game; heck, one bad quarter, and fans will be calling for Lock, DeVito, or anyone who can throw a football. 

Eli Manning and Phil Simms, throw away your cell phones. 

 Putting it all on Jones isn't fair. But this is New York. Jones' predecessor certainly felt the wrath of Giants fans in the early stages of his career before leading Big Blue to stunning glory in Super Bowl XLII back during the 2007-2008 season. 

 Can he exersise his own demons? We'll find out soon. 

At least he has some help. Malik Nabers gives the Giants a bonafide number 1 receiver. And Devin Singletary, while he is not Barkely, was a decent back with the Buffalo Bills for years. And the Giants defense led by Kayvon Thibodeau should be solid. The addition of inside linebacker Brian Burns could be a huge plus moving forward. 

To say the Giants don't stand a chance, and are starring down the barrel at 4-13 is disingenuous. This is a talented team. Maybe not as talented or at the level of Philadelphia or Dallas, but the Giants could certainly find themselves in the mix with a few breaks here and there. 

PREDICTION FOR SUNDAY: 

GIANTS 24 - VIKINGS 22

The G-Men will do enough to top Vikings who are stuck with Sam Darnold at quarterback on Sunday. As for the season, the Giants should finish around 7-10.  

 

Scorching Hot Mets Lose McNeil for the Season

 The New York Mets have been one of the hottest teams in baseball of late, winners of eight straight games to climb right back into a tie for the final wild card out of the National League, so getting any kind of injury news is bad news. 

And this one hurts. 

Second baseman Jeff McNeil will be out for the remainder of the year with a fractured right wrist. He suffered the break while taking a curveball off his hand in the bottom of the fifth inning of Friday's thrilling 6-4, 10-inning Mets victory. 

"Frustrated -- this is not how you want to kind of end the season," McNeil told reporters on Saturday. "I want to be out there with the guys." 

 

 

McNeil has had a tough 2024. He battled only .238 with 12 homers and 44 RBI, and found himself in an unofficial platoon at second with Jose Iglesias. 

 

Iglesias, who became a clubhouse and fan favorite this year with his music recording debut of "OMG!" will get the bulk of the playing time at second. Iglesias is hitting .312 with three homers and 23 RBI. He also has a very flashy glove at second. 

McNeil is signed through the 2026 season, with an option for 2027. At 32 going on 33-years old, he is due to make $15.75 million in each of the next two seasons.