- Rich Cimini
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Jordan Ranan
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Jordan Ranan
ESPN staff writer
- Jordan Ranan is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Raan covered the New York Giants. You can follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan.
The New York/New Jersey area offers many attractions, from Broadway to the Jersey Shore to famous landmarks on both sides of the Hudson River. Suffice it to say, the Chamber of Commerce “Hot” list does not include local football teams, at least not this year.
gave New York Giants And New York Jets has endured some pretty bad weather, but this one is uniquely terrifying. Based on combined winning percentage, this is the worst season for the New York City area since the Jets (formerly known as the Titans) joined the Giants on the local scene in 1960.
The Giants are 2-11. The Jets are 3-10. Do the math: That’s a .192 winning percentage.
There have been many over the years, most notably: In 1976, Joe Namath’s final season with the Jets, both teams finished 3-11 (214). The 1996 season was another rough one, as the Giants went 6-10 and the Jets 1-15 (combined .219).
We could go on, but you get the point. This is not a new trend. Just three years ago, the two teams stumbled to 4-13 (.235), leading to the Giants’ firing of Joe Judge — their third head coach firing in a four-year span.
The last time the Giants and Jets both posted winning records was in 2010, when the coaches were Tom Coughlin and Rex Ryan, respectively. The New York Metropolitan Area won’t have a winning record this season, but maybe they can avoid the indignity of “worst New York season ever” with three more wins between them.
In whose name Sam Darnold What is going on with these teams? Here’s a closer look from ESPN NFL Nation correspondents Jordan Ranan (Giants) and Rich Cimini (Jets):
Where does this season rank among the biggest disappointments in franchise history?
Jets: The Jets’ history is littered with disappointments, but this season epitomizes the greatest of them all. They got what they wanted – a healthy one Aaron Rogers — and yet they’ll probably win fewer games than last season (7-10). Zach Wilson.
They started this season with Super Bowl dreams and now they’re looking at a possible last-place finish. Unlike 2023, which died an instant demise (see: Rodgers’ season-ending injury in Week 1), this one has been pure agony for fans.
It’s been long, slow and painful, with weekly reminders of inefficiency and a poor list. Rodgers’ gambit will be remembered as perhaps the worst move in franchise history. — Kemini
Giants: It might not be the biggest disappointment in Giants history because they didn’t come in with the same high expectations as the Jets. The Giants over/under entering the season was 6.5 games. But while it’s not the biggest disappointment, it still has a chance to be the worst season in franchise history.
Think owner John Mara and Co. wanted to celebrate their 100th season with a 2-15 campaign that could include the first team to go 0-9 at home? As a rookie Malik Naberus “It’s just the New York Giants this year,” said Sunday of the streak. — Ranan
What happened to the quarterback?
Jets: Father Time is a scary dude, and he appears to be messing with the 41-year-old Rodgers, who looks nothing like the quarterback who won four MVPs. Green Bay Packers.
His arm strength is still there, but his legendary accuracy and corrections seem to be lacking. Maybe his surgically repaired left Achilles was a factor. Midseason leg injuries certainly affected him.
His supporting cast isn’t helping either. Too many penalties, too many drop passes. In a way, Rogers is a victim of his own presence. The coaching staff is so concerned with appeasing the future Hall of Famer that it has prepared everything around him, allowing other areas of the offense (ie the running game) to slip. is Example: The Jets have passed on 72% of their red zone plays, the most lopsided style in the league. — Kemini
Giants: Let’s see.
The Giants made their desire to change public. Daniel Jones In the draft during them Appearance on “Hard Knocks”. Then Jones, coming a Torn right ACLlooked like a shell of his former self. It was apparent that his relationship with coach Brian Daboll (who once threw a bullet in his direction out of frustration) was over.
Jones’s struggle eventually led to this. Being benched And later at his request he stepped in as a scout team safety at practice.
Then the giants turned. Tommy DeVito For a “spark” that never ignited, he hurt, they left. Drew Lock And stuck with it even when DeVito was healthy.
Does any of this sound logical? — Ranan
What is the common thread of constant losing?
Jets: From a macro perspective, the common denominator is owner Woody Johnson.
Since Johnson bought the team in 2000, the Jets have gone from a Super Bowl contender (2009 and 2010) to an annual laughing stock.
The playoff drought is 14 years, the NFL’s longest active streak. But football’s reason for losing is the perennially moribund offense. Since 2011, they’ve averaged a league-low 17.5 points.
There is no continuity (10 different play callers in that span) and no consistency at quarterback. They’ve tried the draft and gone on to become a legendary hire. Nothing seems to work. He Sam Darnold And Geno Smith Success elsewhere only indicates failure. — Kemini
Giants: Ownership is very simple. I’ll leave it to Amir and the Jets.
For the Giants, it’s their inability to fix the offensive line. It’s almost amazing to think that they haven’t gotten it right by accident at some point. The last 13 seasons. It’s multiple regimes and high draft picks that have flopped.
Even then the current mental confidence of three veteran offensive linemen (RT Germaine EleonoreRG Greg Van Rotten and LG Jon Runyan) in free agency the Giants ranked 23rd in pass block win rate this season at 57.6%. He ranks 30th in the NFL in pass block win rate since ESPN began tracking the stat in 2016. — Ranan
What has been the lowest point of the season so far?
Jets: Here’s the exact moment: 10:03 a.m., October 8. That’s when Johnson entered Robert Saleh’s office and Removed itthe first time in 25 years of ownership that he fired a coach during the season.
They were 2-3 at the time, getting ready to play. Buffalo bills for the first place. The vault room was stunned and has not yet been recovered.
After that, there was a series of low points, most notably a crushing 25-22 loss New England Patriots On October 27, Albrecht called the loss a “dark moment”, but that moment has been over two months since.
The Jets have lost a franchise-record five games in which they led in the fourth quarter. Each was a low point. — Kemini.
Giants: So many to choose from. It may be regressive bias but, in the end, this season will probably be remembered for the plane flying over MetLife Stadium. “Fix that dumpster fire.”
A plane is flying over the stadium hours before the Saints play with this message for Giants ownership: “Mr. Enough – Please Fix That Dumpster Fire.” pic.twitter.com/7DOUsGof1z
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) December 8, 2024
It is likely to live on in infamy as the 15 years he flew over the stadium in 1978 saying “we’ve had enough”.
But… believe it or not, it could be worse. Having the Eagles Saquon Barkley set Single-season rushing record Against their former team in Week 18 could bring them even lower. — Ranan
What is the reason for optimism?
Jets: There will be a new coach, a new general manager and a new vision for the future.
They have the resources to fill out the roster starting with eight draft picks. Chances are, they’ll have two picks in the top 40. This will help.
The cap situation is promising. They only have $34 million in projected cap space, but that’s misleading because they could clear at least $40 million with some cuts. Issuing receiver Deonte Adams alone will save $ 30 million.
Their “Core Four” — Garrett Wilson, Brace Hall, Mother-in-law Gardner And Jermaine Johnson — will enter his fourth season. The cupboard is not empty for the next government, but there is still a lot of work to be done. — Kemini
Giants: The Giants are primed for a top draft pick, giving them a promising young player (hello, Shadow Sanders?).
They’re also in good shape financially, according to the roster management system, expected to be $57 million under the salary cap. That’s ninth this offseason. They’ve got some major upside when looking at a 2024 draft class that looks like it could be their best in years.
Sanders is throwing to Nabbers, two quality edge rushers, a dominant interior defensive lineman and a standout left tackle (if Andrew Thomas is healthy) can at least allow fans to dream. — Ranan
Quote that sums up the season.
Jets: “Salvageable? We’re about to kick… you can add words after that. We’re going to do really well.” — Woody Johnson on whether the season could have been salvaged at 2-4 a week after Saleh was fired.
Giants: “Extremely [angry]. We played soft, and they beat the s— out of us.” — Dexter Lawrence II After a 30-7 loss at home until their bye week Tampa Bay Buccaneers.