Preseason football is usually a slog. You’ve got third-stringers running the wrong routes and kickers missing chip shots while the starters chill on the sidelines in bucket hats. But the August 16, 2025, matchup between the New York Jets and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium actually felt like it mattered. Maybe it was the "Snoopy Bowl" pride, or maybe it was just the fact that the Giants' offense finally looked like it had a pulse.
The Giants walked away with a 31-12 win, but the score is the least interesting thing about this game. Honestly, the real story was the quarterback hierarchy in East Rutherford and a few rookies who might have just played their way into significant regular-season roles.
Jaxson Dart stole the show at MetLife
If you’re a Giants fan, you’ve been waiting for a reason to get excited about the future of the pocket. Enter Jaxson Dart. The rookie wasn't just "good for a rookie"—he was surgical. He finished 14 of 16 for 137 yards and a touchdown. The wild part? He ended his night with 13 consecutive completions. He looked calm, making reads that usually take young guys three years to figure out.
Dart also added a touchdown on the ground with a 1-yard sneak. It’s that kind of efficiency that makes people start whispering about the depth chart. Russell Wilson started the game and threw a 80-yard "moon ball" to Beaux Collins on his first pass, which was vintage Russ, but he also threw a pick and looked a bit shaky on some of the shorter stuff.
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Jameis Winston even got in on the action later, going 6 of 11 for 111 yards and scoring his own rushing touchdown. It’s a weirdly crowded room for the Giants, but after years of offensive stagnation, having three guys who can actually move the ball is a "problem" Brian Daboll will gladly take.
The Jets’ ground game vs. the Giants’ air raid
On the other side of the tunnel, the Jets played it a bit safer. They held out big names like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. Instead, they leaned on the run. Breece Hall and rookie Braelon Allen split the work early, and honestly, they looked like a thunder-and-lightning duo that could be terrifying by October. They combined for 42 yards on a single first-quarter drive that ended in a Nick Folk field goal.
The Jets' passing game was a different story. Justin Fields got the start and had a 5-yard scramble, but the explosive plays just weren't there like they were for Big Blue. The Jets ended up with only 192 passing yards compared to the Giants' massive 398. That’s a 206-yard gap. In a league that’s increasingly about the vertical threat, that's a number that’s gonna keep the Jets' coaching staff up at night.
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Standout performers you might have missed
- Beaux Collins (WR, Giants): He only had one catch. But it was an 80-yard bomb that set up the first touchdown of the night. If he can be a consistent deep threat, it changes the entire geometry of the Giants' offense.
- Quentin Skinner (WR, Jets): He was basically the only bright spot in the Jets' late-game passing attack. He caught a 4-yard TD from Brady Cook in the fourth quarter and finished with 48 yards. He high-points the ball like a veteran.
- Dean Clark (DB, Jets): This guy was everywhere. He had a sack, a pass breakup in the red zone, and an interception off Tommy DeVito. For an undrafted guy, he’s making it very hard for the Jets to cut him.
- Makari Paige (S, Giants): After a rough debut last week, he bounced back with a diving interception of Adrian Martinez.
What most people get wrong about the Snoopy Bowl
Look, people love to say the Jets vs Giants preseason game is meaningless because it’s "just exhibition." But that’s not true for the guys on the bubble. Take Cor’Dale Flott, for example. With Deonte Banks out, Flott got the start and broke up a huge third-down pass intended for Garrett Wilson. That play alone might have secured his spot in the rotation.
There’s also the discipline factor. The Jets were a mess last week in Green Bay—10 penalties. This time? Zero in the first quarter and only seven total. That’s a massive step forward for a team that has historically shot itself in the foot with yellow flags.
Why the 31-12 score is actually deceptive
If you just look at the box score, it looks like a blowout. And yeah, 31-12 isn't close. But the Jets' defense was missing its three best players (Gardner, Williams, and Jermaine Johnson). When those guys are on the field, Russell Wilson isn't getting five seconds to stand in the pocket and wait for an 80-yard route to develop.
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The Giants’ efficiency was the real takeaway. They averaged 7.8 yards per play. That is an insane number for a preseason game. They were aggressive, they took shots, and they actually converted in the red zone. For a team that has struggled to find the end zone for years, that’s the kind of confidence boost that can carry over into the regular season.
Actionable insights for the regular season
If you’re looking at how this game impacts your expectations for the season, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Giants' QB Battle isn't over. Russell Wilson has the experience, but Jaxson Dart has the "it" factor. If Russ struggles in the first few weeks of the regular season, the "Start Dart" chants at MetLife are going to be deafening.
- The Jets' RB depth is elite. Braelon Allen isn't just a backup; he’s a legitimate change-of-pace back who can punish tired defenses. Expect the Jets to be a top-10 rushing team if the offensive line stays healthy.
- Special teams matter for roster spots. Kene Nwangwu had a 38-yard punt return for the Jets on the very first play. Those are the kinds of hidden yards that win close games in December.
The Giants move to 2-0 in the preseason while the Jets drop to 1-1. But the real winner was anyone who wanted to see some actual, competent football in August.