MANHATTAN — Defense dominated as the New York Jets defeated the Giants 17-3 in a sloppy affair at the New Meadowlands Stadium in their annual pre-season game on Monday night.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw two interceptions and was unable to find the endzone against the Jets stout defense, which held Big Blue to just a first quarter field goal.
"There are things that we need to clean up, but we still have some time to do so," Manning, who threw for 200 yards, told ESPN. "There are just some little things, but those things can add up. But that's what the preseason is for, and we still have a little time."
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez completed eight passes for only 64 yards, but threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes in the second quarter to put the Jets up 7-3. Rookie running back Bilal Powell added a 1-yard touchdown run and Nick Folk kicked a 33-yard field goal for Gang Green in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring.
The game was the first played by wide receiver Plaxico Burress against his former team. However, Burress failed to make his mark on the game and did not register a single catch.
Things got a little ugly in the second quarter as Giants halfback Brandon Jacobs got into a scuffle with Jets rookie Muhammad Wilkerson, resulting in the ejection of both players.
"It was a fun game, man. That was two good football teams going at it," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "Obviously, it's a preseason game, but it's great competition. The fireworks will fly Dec. 24, that's for sure."
The game, originally scheduled for Saturday night, was postponed to Monday because of Hurricane Irene. The Jets and Giants will have a rematch during the regular season when they face off against each other on Dec. 24.
"I don't know if there are any tickets available for that Dec. 24 game but I think we just sold them because that was a typical Jets-Giants slugfest right there," Ryan added.
