Who: New York Jets vs. New York Giants
When: 7:00 p.m. EDT
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Media: TV – WCBS/NFL Network, DirecTV – N/A, Radio – ESPN 98.7 FM, Sirius – 88, Sirius XM – XM 88, Internet Audio – NFL Fieldpass.
Their Previous Meeting: The last time these two teams met, it was a pivotal match-up that would ultimately determine the outcome of two vastly different seasons. For the Jets, while they managed to keep the game close until the Giants broke the door wide open in the fourth quarter, little went right that night and Brian Schottenheimer’s 59 pass plays were only the icing on the cake. Victor Cruz torched the Jets’ secondary, at least their tackling technique anyway, for 164 yards needing just 3 receptions to do so while Ahmad Bradshaw added two touchdowns on the ground in a 29-14 Giants victory. Overall, it was a forgettable day in Jets history and one they continue to catch considerable flak for.

Injury Report: Santonio Holmes (Ribs/Back–Out), Wayne Hunter (Back–Probable), Jeremy Kerley (Hamstring–Out), Dennis Landolt (Knee–Out), Sione Po’uha (Head contusion–Out), Ricky Sapp (Ankle–Out), Chaz Schilens (Ankle–Out), Eric Smith (Knee–Out), Ryan Steed (Undisclosed–Out), and Jordan White (Knee–Questionable).

Inactives
Jets: WR Santonio Holmes, WR Jeremy Kerley, WR Chaz Schilens, OT Dennis Landolt, S Eric Smith, LB Ricky Sapp, NT Sione Po’uha, and CB Ryan Steed.
Giants: CB Terrell Thomas, CB Brandon Bing, CB Michael Coe, LB Jacquian Williams, LB Michael Boley, OT Will Beatty, DT Shaun Rogers, DT Marvin Austin, DT Marcus Thomas, DT Chris Canty, TE Travis Beckum, and WR Hakeem Nicks.

Game Captains: T.B.A.

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Post Scriptum: The password to the chatroom is case-sensitive and must be entered as shown: slinkybowl

We knew this day would be coming. We just didn’t know the prelude would come down to two of the Jets’ most despised rivals battling it out for Championship glory. Ultimately, Big Blue once again confounded Brady and the Patriots and every writer, columnist and Giants fan is all too willing to remind you of it as the MetLife Bowl trophy awaits.

Although he may not say it publicly, for Rex Ryan there is some residual anger and humility from that game and while a preseason game doesn’t even begin to correct that, there is a brighter side. I think that game provided the kick the team needed to take a deep look within and figure out how to correct themselves and build a stronger future. That future starts with well the starters, specifically the offensive lineman. The line looked sluggish in their first outing sans Wayne Hunter and a blocking tight end has yet to be found. Hopefully some continuity will help tighten some loose ends …. or further confirm our suspicions.

While the linebackers were suspect in coverage, particularly Bart Scott, it will be interesting to see how the team has addressed this issue. The real story though will be the guys fighting for a roster spot. Aside from the Bollinger Bowl, which by then personnel decisions are more or less set in stone, this will be the last time the back-ups will have an extended in-game opportunity to impress the coaches as we’ll see the starters for the majority of Game 3. Given the recent rash of injuries to the receiving corp the Jets need someone to standout and they’ll have every opportunity with the team likely to limit the current top receivers Turner, Hill and Jackson.