Hackenberg Absolutely Stinks in Jets-Giants Clash

In the dress rehearsal for both the Giants and Jets, we got a pretty good indication of where both teams are heading this year, in Big Blue's 32-31 win on Saturday night. Let's take a look.

Christian Hackenberg:
In what should be his last chance to vie for the starting job in Week 1, Christian Hackenberg was putrid in the Jets 32-31 loss to the Giants on Saturday night. If that doesn't cost him the starting job, I don't know what will. Hackenberg had no command of the starting offense, and looked totally bewildered against the Giants pass rush. He threw a costly pick-six to Landon Collins who read him like a book to give the Giants a 12-0 lead. Later in the first half he threw another interception, that really wasn't his fault, considering Robbie Anderson was decked on the ball, which jarred the football loose. Still it was another pick-six as Big Blue built a 29-3 lead.

Overall, what has to concern the Jets about Hackenberg is this, before his late touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Jets had only three points in 18 possessions with Hackenberg under center this summer. That is awful! He is clearly not ready for primetime, and if the Jets are interested in winning any games this year, they shouldn't play him when it counts.

Bryce Petty:
If Petty was truly given a legit shot to be the starter of this Jets team, he would have earned it last night. Petty was brilliant, completing 15 of 18 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns. He has clearly been the most polished quarterback out there during live game action this summer, and if anything should be the Jets number 2. It was scary to see him go down in a heap in the fourth quarter on a knee injury. Fortunately it was just a sprained MCL.

Jets offensive line:
Again, this might be the worst offensive line in the NFL. The Jets failed to protect their quarterback, as Jason Pierre Paul ate them for dinner. Hackenberg took three sacks, and they gave up a safety on a busted play in the backfield. This unit stinks, period.

Eli Manning: 
Eli didn't play very long for the Giants  in this game. He didn't need to considering the defense was doing all the work. Manning was 7-of-14 for 121 yards and a pick. He wasn't spectacular, and it was clear that he missed having both Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall in the lineup. The Giants will score points this year, but it was kinda a downer for Big Blue that their offense wasn't dynamic against the Jets.

Giants Finally Score a TD: 
The Giants did score a touchdown in this game offensively, on Orleans Darkwa's one-yard plunge with 22 seconds to play in the first half.

G-Men's O-Line still shaky. 
Ben McAdoo was trying all kinds of different combinations last night on his offensive line. The Giants had a lot of trouble with this unit last year. There was a mix of good and bad on Saturday. They didn't do a good job holding the blitz early on leading to a Manning pick, but they did clear some lanes for the Giants to gain 9
1-yards on the ground. It was not an overwhelmingly good effort, unless you go deep into individual performances.

Giants D is sick! 
If the Giants offense is going to struggle this year, they will make it up with their defense. This is a very opportunistic unit. Put this group up against some of the more mediocre offenses in the NFL, and they could find a way to pitch a shutout. They harassed Hackenberg all night, and had the Jets on their heels for much of the game. JPP dominated with a sack and two quarterback hits. Landon Collins had another interception for a touchdown, and Damon Harrison was again productive up the middle.