Giants Come From Behind To Beat Jets, 21-20
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Ryan Nassib's 11-yard touchdown pass to Tavarres King with 2:31 to play gave the Giants a 21-20 victory in their annual preseason showdown against the Jets on Saturday night.
Nassib threw two touchdowns to King in the game -- the other coming on a 27-yard pass in the third quarter -- but the Giants backup QB otherwise struggled, completing 6 of 19 passes for 69 yards.
Both teams' first-string offenses did very little in the last regular-season tuneup for most starters, but Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick did connect with Eric Decker for a 22-yard score three plays after Darrelle Revis intercepted Eli Manning in Giants territory in the second quarter.
Fitzpatrick finished 9-of-16 for 76 yards with the score and lost a fumble before being replaced by Geno Smith just before halftime.
Manning was 10-of-15 for 65 yards with an interception while playing one series into the third quarter. The Giants' starters managed just 61 total yards against Todd Bowles' defense.
The Giants (1-2) didn't get past the 50-yard line until a facemask penalty on Brandon Bostick on a punt return put them at the Jets' 47 with 2:36 left in the third quarter. Nassib took advantage two plays later, connecting with King on their first TD strike to cut the Jets' lead to 10-7.
Giants defensive end Kerry Wynn returned an interception 73 yards for a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a pass from Bryce Petty that was tipped by J.T. Thomas III.
Jets second-rounder Christian Hackenberg began trending on Twitter after he went 4-of-6 for 79 yards on his first NFL drive, capping it with a 10-yard TD throw to Robby Anderson. He was also intercepted by Andrew Adams with 2:34 left, leading to King's go-ahead touchdown catch. Hackenberg finished 6-of-16 for 105 yards for the Jets (1-2).
Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz played for the first time since 2014, catching a pass for 4 yards. Cruz was limited to six games two years ago because of a knee injury and then missed all of last season with a calf injury. The 29-year-old Cruz missed the first two preseason games this summer with a groin injury.
Jets running back Matt Forte (hamstring) and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (leg) made their preseason debuts. Forte, signed in March after eight seasons in Chicago, had 28 yards on 10 carries and added two catches for 9 yards.
SITTING OUT
Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall was a surprise scratch with what Bowles said after the game was "sore hips." The coach said the decision was made Friday and he didn't seem too concerned about Marshall's status, saying he could have played if it had been a regular-season game. Anderson started in Marshall's place and had four catches for 65 yards and a TD.
ROOKIE WATCH
Giants: First-round CB Eli Apple had a solid showing against the Jets' starters, covering Decker at times. He didn't play last week because of a knee injury in the preseason opener.
Jets: Undrafted K Ross Martin, competing with veteran Nick Folk, kicked a 55-yard field goal in the third quarter and added a 29-yarder in the fourth.
QB COMPARISON
Giants: Nassib was 6 of 19 for 69 yards, including his two TD tosses to King.
Jets: Smith went 3 of 5 for 14 yards on two drives. Petty, trying to secure a roster spot, was 5 of 10 for 59 yards before being replaced by Hackenberg on the drive following his interception.
POSITION BATTLES
Giants: King made a case to be the last receiver on the roster, finishing with three catches for 38 yards and his two scores.
Jets: Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale took turns at RT with the starters, and one could start if Breno Giacomini (back) isn't ready for the regular season.
INJURY UPDATE:
Giants: LB Jonathan Casillas (rib), CB Leon Hall (concussion), rookie LB B.J. Goodson (concussion) and FB Nikita Whitlock (foot) left with injuries.
Jets: LB David Harris left late in the first half with a shoulder injury.
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