The New York Jets couldn't have scripted a much better start. Through a few early series, the Jets looked exactly like the team they've spent all summer trying to become: opportunistic, physical, and aggressive.
Unfortunately, Most of the first quarter and the remaining three quarters told a much different story. The offense struggled to find consistency, the quarterback competition failed to provide much clarity, and injuries continued to mount.
The Jets stumbled to a 23-6 loss to the New York Giants in their preseason finale. This one ended mercifully with the Giants in victory formation. With the exhibition schedule now complete, New York leaves the summer with plenty of reasons for optimism, and a few lingering concerns.
With all of that said,
here is Jets Wire's instant analysis from the preseason finale. Here's some good, a lot of bad, and a few downright ugly things.
What went right for the Jets in the preseason finale vs. the Giants?
Here is a quick list of what went right for the Jets against the Giants:
- Odell Beckham Jr. hoped to make an impression vs. the Jets. Aaron Glenn's troops were determined that it wouldn't happen early. Jameis Winston targeted OBJ on the first drive. The pass was deflected, and Marcelino McCrary-Ball picked one off. That's another interception for this defense.
- The Jets would go on to score on their first drive, one punctuated by a Cade Klubnik six-yard scramble. Chip Trayanum punched one in from one yard out for six points.
- The Giants drove deep into Jets territory on their second drive, and this time they coughed it up in the red zone. Quan'tez Stiggers falls on a fumble in the end zone after Marcelino McCrary-Ball punched the ball out from Braxton Berrios' grip!
- Nate Lynn tallied another sack. We need to begin asking questions about why it took so long to land on a roster and how good he might be had he been with the Jets all spring and summer.
Check out some of the highlights:
Marcelino will take that ‼️
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 28, 2026
📺: #NYGvsNYJ on @nfloncbs, @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/P8gYg96E8J
FIRST TOUCHDOWN FOR CHIP TRAYANUM 👏
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 28, 2026
📺: #NYGvsNYJ on @nfloncbs, @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/YtCovoenyB
We see you Marcelino 👀
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 29, 2026
McCrary-Ball with the knockout, Stiggers with the recovery!
📺: #NYGvsNYJ on @nfloncbs, @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/kICSZPppY7
Nate Lynn with the pressure 😤
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 29, 2026
📺: #NYGvsNYJ on @nfloncbs, @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/weyHIG7634
What went wrong for the Jets?
- So, remember that kicking competition? Remember earlier this week when Jason Sanders was proclaimed the winner? Well, after the Jets found some early magic on offense and defense, Sanders provided a bummer after the first TD plunge by missing the extra point.
- Joe Ossai left the game with a foot injury, and his return was listed as questionable. That's not what you want for someone who's supposed to play an important role this season.
- As good as the Jets were on the first two defensive drives, they didn't have their best on the third. The Giants offense, led by Winston, scored a TD on a four-play drive covering 48 yards. Unfortunately, their first extra-point attempt traveled through the uprights to provide an early advantage.
- OBJ rebounded after that slip on the first drive. He went on to catch three passes for 53 yards. That included chain-moving catches of 13, 17, and 23 yards.
- Rookie right guard Anez Cooper went down and was checked out on the field. They seemed to be checking out his right upper arm/shoulder. Once on his feet, he headed straight for the locker room.
- It has been an injury-plagued summer for the Jets' draft picks: Kenyon Sadiq, D'Angelo Ponds, V.J. Payne, and now Cooper.
- Chip Trayanum's night unfortunately ended on a sad note. He was carted off the field after being hit by Trace Ford on the final play of the first half. He was ruled out, and it was reported that he was taken to a local hospital. Fortunately, he was awake and had movement of his extremities.
- Jason Sanders was well short on a 54-yard FG attempt. There was no wind. The conditions were ideal. One has to believe if the placekicker can't even reach from 54 yards, that there's a huge cause for concern.
What's the bottom line?
The bottom line is that the preseason is over, and for the most part, most of what was seen was encouraging. Kudos are for a Jets team hoping to prove something that gave us much to be excited about all summer. Still, as has been mentioned before, this team will go as Geno Smith goes. Fingers are crossed for more of what we saw from him on the first drive vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What's next for the Jets?
NFL rosters must be cut to 53 men by Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET. Waiver claims are due by Monday, August 31, at 1 p.m. ET. Each team can begin constructing practice squads of up to 16 players (plus an extra spot for an International Player Pathway participant) once that process ends.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Instant analysis: What went right, what went wrong in Jets loss to Giants
