Jets vs. Giants Final Score: Three Things We Learned

The Jets defeated the Giants tonight at MetLife Stadium by a 28-18 score. Here are three takeaways.

1. Any panic based on the first two preseason games should be gone.

I know there were not a lot of people who were in panic mode based on a couple of rough preseason games by the first team. There were, however, a handful of people saying something like, "I don't care if it's preseason. You can't look like that." The Jets' starters dominated the game. They played the entire first half and ended up winning 21-7. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for a pair of touchdowns. Chris Ivory and Zac Stacy were effective on the ground. The defense gave up 7 points but also scored 7 points on an Antonio Cromartie interception return run all the way back right before the half.

2. Stevan Ridley's odds of starting the regular season on the PUP list went up.

Ivory went for over 6 yards per rush, while Stacy put up over 80 yards from scrimmage. Stacy looked pretty good grinding out yardage through contact. Any urgency the Jets might have had to rush back Ridley went down on a night like this.

3. Eric Decker should not get much more time as a punt returner.

The Jets gave Decker a shot to return punts tonight, and it was not a thing of beauty. He didn't catch one, which allowed the ball to roll inside the 10. He muffed a second one, resulting in a 12 yard loss and a drive starting for the Jets at their own 5 yard line. It could have been even worse. On a night where Walter Powell returned a punt for a touchdown, it seems like he should get more of a look for the role when Jeremy Kerley isn't available.