Israel Abanikanda helped the New York Jets take an early lead with an impressive run. After that, their defense took charge.
Abanikanda had a 45-yard touchdown run in the first half, and the Jets sacked Tommy DeVito eight times in their 10-6 win over the Giants in their preseason finale on Saturday night.
“It was cool to see all those guys get after it,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. Aaron Rodgers and the other expected starters for the Jets watched from the sidelines, as did Daniel Jones and most of the Giants’ starters.
DeVito, who is the No. 3 quarterback behind Jones and Drew Lock, played the entire game but had a tough time. He completed 14 of 27 passes for 103 yards.
DeVito was often running — gaining 48 yards on five carries — while facing constant pressure from the Jets (3-0). Takk McKinley had 2 1/2 sacks, and undrafted rookie Braiden McGregor had two sacks. DeVito mentioned that the Jets kept changing their defensive looks and even started using cornerback blitzes.
“They did a lot more than I was expecting,” DeVito said. “I think we were ready for it, but they started amping up a lot of pressure, (including a) left corner blitz. I think literally they did that probably on the second drive. It was a little unexpected.”
The Giants (1-2) had only one expected starter — center John Michael Schmitz Jr. He left in the first quarter with an ankle injury but said after the game he was fine. None of their six draft picks, including first-round wide receiver Malik Nabers, played.
The only potential Jets starters who played were defensive ends Micheal Clemons and Will McDonald, who got extra playing time in the preseason since Haason Reddick was holding out while seeking a new contract.
Adrian Martinez, who was the UFL’s regular-season and championship game MVP last season, started at quarterback for the Jets and led them on two scoring drives in the first half before being replaced by fellow rookie Andrew Peasley at the start of the third quarter.
Martinez went 12 of 20 for 99 yards and ran for 23 yards on three carries as he tried to secure a spot on the roster behind Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor.
Undrafted rookie Ayir Asante fumbled the opening kickoff after being hit by Tre Swilling, and Qwan’tez Stiggers recovered the ball, giving the Jets possession at the Giants’ 45-yard line. Greg Zuerlein then kicked a 38-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
Abanikanda increased the Jets’ lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter with a 45-yard touchdown run. He took the handoff, was spun around at the line, slipped past three tackles, and sped into the end zone.
“I knew it was going to pop off because I had a couple of runs earlier in the game for 10 yards here and there, so I knew one was going to pop for green,” Abanikanda said. “I didn’t know I was going to get that free.”
It was one of the few exciting moments for the fans at MetLife Stadium before they livened up the atmosphere themselves by doing “the wave” at the end of the third quarter.
Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick from last year, ended with 83 yards on nine carries. He is competing for a roster spot behind Breece Hall and rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, who are expected to be in the Jets’ backfield.
Rookie Jude McAtamney’s 43-yard field goal reduced the Giants’ deficit to 10-3 late in the first half.
Zuerlein’s 33-yard attempt hit the left upright as time expired in the second quarter, and he missed a 47-yarder later. McAtamney’s 23-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter made it 10-6.
