In a bid to secure a victory against their crosstown rivals, the New York Jets have devised a two-step plan to exploit the defensive vulnerabilities of the New York Giants. Despite recent improvements, the Giants' defense remains an exploitable unit that the Jets are determined to capitalize on. Let's delve into the strategies the Jets plan to deploy to score points against the Giants' defense.

Step 1: Ground Game Dominance with Breece Hall on First Down

Analyzing the Giants' defense in the first half of the season, it becomes evident that one of their significant weaknesses was stopping the run. Opponents capitalized on this vulnerability, punishing the Giants on the ground in the initial stages of the game. This allowed them to establish long, efficient drives, seize early leads, and force the Giants' struggling offense into catch-up mode.

The Giants' struggles at stopping first-down runs in the first half were particularly glaring. This weakness persisted throughout the early part of the season, where opponents consistently gained substantial yardage on first down rushes. Against recent opponents, the Giants continued to struggle, allowing 5.7 yards per rush attempt on first down.

With the Jets' willingness to air it out on first down in their previous game, opponents will now be forced to respect the threat of the pass. This presents a perfect opportunity for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to exploit the Giants' first-half run defense weakness by feeding running back Breece Hall. By establishing a strong ground attack on first down, Hall has the opportunity to consistently set the tone for the Jets' offense. The goal is to generate significant yardage, ideally 5-6 yards per carry, setting the Jets up for favorable second and third-down situations.

Step 2: Utilize Garrett Wilson's Skills with Downfield Play-Action Throws

Garrett Wilson, the Jets' premier wide receiver, will play a crucial role in the team's offensive game plan against the Giants. Recognizing the Giants' difficulty in defending opposing No. 1 receivers, the Jets intend to exploit this weakness by involving Wilson heavily in the passing game. According to FTN Fantasy, the Giants have allowed the 10th-highest DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) to opposing No. 1 wide receivers.

To optimize this matchup advantage, the Jets plan to target Wilson, specifically when he lines up outside the numbers. The Giants have struggled to defend wide receivers in this area, allowing the third-highest passer rating against passes thrown outside of the numbers. The Jets aim to exploit this weakness, particularly on downfield throws. The Giants have surrendered the second-highest passer rating and the most EPA (Expected Points Added) per attempt on these types of passes.

By aligning Wilson outside and utilizing play-action throws, the Jets hope to expose the Giants' defense, which relies heavily on man coverage. The aggressive man coverage leaves the Giants vulnerable on the outside, with their cornerbacks often left isolated against talented receivers.

Looking Ahead: Jets' Determination to Capitalize on Giants' Defensive Flaws

As the New York Jets prepare to face the New York Giants, their offensive strategy revolves around exploiting the weaknesses in the Giants' defense. While the Giants have shown improvement in recent games, they remain a bottom-10 defensive unit in terms of the entire season's performance. The Jets' two-step plan, featuring Breece Hall's dominance on first down and targeting Garrett Wilson's skills on downfield throws, aims to capitalize on the Giants' defensive vulnerabilities.

The success of these offensive tactics will be revealed on game day, as the Jets seek to outmaneuver the Giants' defense and secure a meaningful victory in the Big Apple rivalry.