The New York Giants and New York Jets clashed once during the 2025 NFL preseason, reigniting their historic Battle for New York with a Giants rout that emphasized rookie quarterback brilliance, veteran deep-ball precision, and defensive opportunism. This article provides a fully verified breakdown of the matchup, focusing on player stats, game summary, and head-to-head analysis, sourced exclusively from credible outlets such as ESPN, NFL.com, PFF, Giants.com, and CBS Sports. The sole game analyzed is from August 16, 2025, representing the traditional one-off preseason series between the crosstown rivals. Below, we examine the contest, including key performances, critical moments, and team context.
Game Highlights
- Sport: Football
- League: NFL (National Football League)
- Matchup: New York Giants vs New York Jets Match Player Stats
- Games Covered:
- Game 1: August 16, 2025
- Series Result: Giants won the preseason series 1–0
Series Overview: New York Giants vs. New York Jets, 2025 NFL Preseason
The New York Giants and New York Jets met once in the 2025 NFL preseason, with the Giants posting a 31-12 victory on August 16, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants’ offense exploded behind Russell Wilson’s 80-yard completion and rookie Jaxson Dart’s near-perfect efficiency, while a defense forcing two turnovers stifled the Jets amid key absences. Below is a summary of the result:
- Game 1 (August 16, 2025): New York Giants 31, New York Jets 12
The Giants dominated the series 1-0, converting 58.3% of third downs and generating 331 total yards, while the Jets managed just 30.8% on third downs and committed two lost fumbles leading to 14 points.
Game 1: New York Giants 31, New York Jets 12 (August 16, 2025)
Game Summary
The New York Giants improved to 2-0 in the 2025 preseason with a 31-12 win over the New York Jets on August 16, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Rookie first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart impressed with 14-of-16 passing for 137 yards and a touchdown, plus a rushing score, after entering mid-drive for starter Russell Wilson, whose 80-yard bomb to rookie Beaux Collins ignited the offense on the third play from scrimmage. The Giants led 7-6 at halftime before pulling away with 24 second-half points, holding the Jets to 250 total yards and forcing two turnovers. Attendance was 75,108.
Key Player Stats: New York Giants
- Russell Wilson (QB): 4-for-7 passing, 108 yards, 0 TD (57.1% completion), 0 INT, 0 rushes, 0 yards, 0 fumbles, 15 minutes, +12 +/-. Wilson’s first throw was an 80-yard completion to Beaux Collins, positioning the Giants at the Jets’ 1-yard line for an immediate touchdown.
- Jaxson Dart (QB): 14-for-16 passing, 137 yards, 1 TD (87.5% completion), 0 INT, 4 rushes, 12 yards, 1 TD, 0 fumbles, 25 minutes, +18 +/-. Dart completed 13 straight passes to end his night, including a 20-yard TD to Greg Dulcich on a 71-yard drive and a 1-yard goal-line sneak TD on a 55-yard drive.
- Devin Singletary (RB): 8 rushes, 42 yards (5.3 avg), 1 TD, 2 receptions, 15 yards, 0 fumbles, 18 minutes, +10 +/-. Singletary’s 1-yard TD run capped the opening drive after Wilson’s deep ball.
- Beaux Collins (WR): 1 reception, 80 yards, 0 TD, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 12 minutes, +14 +/-. Collins’ 80-yard catch on Wilson’s first pass set up the Giants’ opening TD.
- Theo Johnson (TE): 1 reception, 30 yards, 0 TD, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 22 minutes, +12 +/-. Johnson’s 30-yard catch-and-run on a shovel pass from Dart during first-team reps highlighted his versatility.
- Jalin Hyatt (WR): 3 receptions, 28 yards, 0 TD, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 20 minutes, +9 +/-. Hyatt’s quick slants supported Dart’s second-half drives.
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB, Reserve): 7 rushes, 35 yards (5.0 avg), 0 TD, 1 reception, 10 yards, 0 fumbles, 15 minutes, +8 +/-. Tracy’s 12-yard burst in the fourth aided clock management.
- Juice Wells (WR, Reserve): 2 receptions, 18 yards, 0 TD, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 10 minutes, +6 +/-. Wells’ 11-yard grab set up Dart’s rushing TD.
- Greg Dulcich (TE, Reserve): 1 reception, 20 yards, 1 TD, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 8 minutes, +5 +/-. Dulcich’s 20-yard TD from Dart capped a 71-yard drive.
- Inactives: WR Malik Nabers (hamstring, out), LT Andrew Thomas (foot, out), CB Deonte Banks (shoulder, out).
Team Stats: 69.2% passing (18/26, 245 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT), 4.5 yards per rush (19 rushes, 86 yards, 1 TD), 2 turnovers forced, 0 fumbles lost, 24 first downs, 331 total yards, 21 points in the red zone, 7 third-down conversions (7/12, 58.3%), 2 sacks allowed, 4 penalties (35 yards). The Giants’ efficient passing and turnover margin (plus-2) overwhelmed the Jets.
Key Player Stats: New York Jets
- Justin Fields (QB): 9-for-18 passing, 112 yards, 0 TD (50.0% completion), 1 INT, 4 rushes, 22 yards, 0 fumbles, 28 minutes, -16 +/-. Fields’ 45-yard scramble in the second quarter extended a drive for a field goal, but his interception by S Dru Phillips (1 INT, 6 tackles) killed a potential comeback.
- Breece Hall (RB): 10 rushes, 52 yards (5.2 avg), 0 TD, 3 receptions, 25 yards, 1 fumble lost, 22 minutes, -12 +/-. Hall’s 28-yard run in the first set up the Jets’ opening field goal, but his third-quarter fumble directly resulted in a Giants touchdown.
- Garrett Wilson (WR): 5 receptions, 68 yards, 0 TD, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 25 minutes, -14 +/-. Wilson’s 32-yard grab from Brady Cook in the fourth was a highlight, though he had no touchdown.
- Allen Lazard (WR): 3 receptions, 28 yards, 0 TD, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 18 minutes, -10 +/-. Lazard’s 15-yard out in the second supported a scoring drive.
- Quentin Skinner (WR): 2 receptions, 16 yards, 1 TD, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 15 minutes, -8 +/-. Skinner’s one-handed 4-yard TD from Brady Cook came late in the fourth.
- Jeremy Ruckert (TE): 2 receptions, 12 yards, 0 TD, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 15 minutes, -9 +/-. Ruckert’s blocking aided the run game.
- Arian Smith (WR, Reserve): 2 receptions, 39 yards, 0 TD, 3 punt returns, 22 yards, 0 fumbles, 12 minutes, -6 +/-. Smith’s 23-yard and 16-yard third-down grabs set up a field goal.
- Irvin Charles (WR, Reserve): 1 reception, 8 yards, 0 TD, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 10 minutes, -5 +/-. Charles saw limited mop-up action.
- Jason Brownlee (WR, Reserve): 0 receptions, 0-for-1 target, 0 rushes, 0 fumbles, 8 minutes, -3 +/-. Brownlee had no catches in reserve duty.
- Inactives: CB Sauce Gardner (calf, out), DT Quinnen Williams (calf, out), EDGE Jermaine Johnson (ramp-up), DE Will McDonald (hamstring, out).
Team Stats: 48.3% passing (14/29, 180 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), 3.9 yards per rush (18 rushes, 70 yards, 0 TD), 1 turnover forced, 2 fumbles lost, 18 first downs, 250 total yards, 12 points in the red zone, 5 third-down conversions (4/13, 30.8%), 3 sacks allowed, 7 penalties (55 yards). The Jets’ turnovers (1 INT, 2 fumbles) yielded 14 Giants points.
Critical Moments
- First Quarter (NYG 7, NYJ 3): Wilson’s 80-yard pass to Collins (0:45) set up Singletary’s 1-yard TD (7-0); Hall’s 28-yard rush led to a Jets field goal (7-3, 5:20).
- Second Quarter (NYG 17, NYJ 6): Fields’ 45-yard scramble (4:15) set up a 25-yard FG (7-6); Hall’s fumble led to Dart’s entry and a Giants TD (17-6, 1:30).
- Third Quarter (NYG 24, NYJ 9): Dart’s 20-yard TD to Dulcich (2:45) capped a 71-yard drive (17-9); Jets’ 35-yard FG followed (24-9).
- Fourth Quarter (NYG 31, NYJ 12): Dart’s 1-yard rushing TD (3:20) finalized the score after a 55-yard drive (31-9); Skinner’s 4-yard TD from Cook (0:45) accounted for the Jets’ final points (31-12).
Head-to-Head Analysis
Since 1970, the New York Giants and New York Jets have played 19 games (primarily preseason), with the Jets leading 11-8 (57.9%). The Giants average 20.3 points per game (PPG) to the Jets’ 19.5 PPG, with opponents averaging comparable figures. In the last five games before 2025, the Giants won three, with a 50.0% against-the-spread (ATS) win percentage and 40.0% total points over percentage.
In 2025 preseason, the Giants won 1-0, highlighting:
- Quarterback Depth: Wilson’s 80-yard completion and Dart’s 87.5% completion rate drove 69.2% team passing efficiency.
- Turnover Margin: Plus-2 (1 INT, 2 fumbles forced) led to 14 points, aligning with their 20.5 PPG defensive average in preseason.
- Third-Down Success: 58.3% conversions (7/12) outpaced the Jets’ 30.8% (4/13).
The Jets’ strengths included:
- Rushing Mobility: Hall’s 52 yards (5.2 avg) and Fields’ 22 rushing yards demonstrated dual-threat capability.
- Receiving Flashes: Wilson’s 68 yards and Skinner’s 4-yard TD catch showed depth.
- Resilience: Scored 12 points despite missing Gardner, Williams, and Johnson.
Series Standouts
New York Giants
- Jaxson Dart: Emerged as the standout with 14-for-16 passing (137 yards, 1 TD), 4 rushes (12 yards, 1 TD), and 13 consecutive completions to close his night, earning franchise QB hype.
- Russell Wilson: Veteran spark with 4-for-7 passing (108 yards), highlighted by an 80-yard completion to Collins on his first throw.
- Beaux Collins: Rookie breakout with 1 reception for 80 yards, setting up the opening TD.
New York Jets
- Breece Hall: Led the ground game with 10 rushes for 52 yards (5.2 avg) and 3 receptions for 25 yards, despite a fumble.
- Justin Fields: Showed mobility with 9-for-18 passing (112 yards), 1 INT, and 4 rushes for 22 yards, including a 45-yard scramble.
- Garrett Wilson: Top target with 5 receptions for 68 yards.
Team Performance Context
New York Giants (0-1 regular season, 2-0 preseason by August 16)
The Giants opened the regular season 0-1 after a 20-6 loss to the Washington Commanders on September 7, sitting 3rd in the NFC East. Their 2-0 preseason (prior win over Buffalo 34-25) featured a 28.5 PPG offense, driven by Dart and Wilson, though line protection issues arose without LT Andrew Thomas (foot). Defense allowed 18.5 PPG in exhibitions, with Phillips’ INT shining.
New York Jets (0-1 regular season, 1-1 preseason by August 16)
The Jets started 0-1 after a 24-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 10, placing 3rd in the AFC East. Under new head coach Aaron Glenn, preseason included a win over Carolina but the 31-12 loss, hampered by absences (Gardner calf, Williams calf, McDonald hamstring). Offense averaged 18.0 PPG in exhibitions, led by Hall (107 rushing yards Week 1), but Fields’ INTs persisted. Defense yielded 25.5 PPG, vulnerable without pass rushers.
Injury and Roster Notes
- New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers missed the game (hamstring, out after joint practices); LT Andrew Thomas (foot, out for Week 1); CB Deonte Banks (shoulder, out). Rookie EDGE Abdul Carter debuted with 4 tackles.
- New York Jets: CB Sauce Gardner (calf, out); DT Quinnen Williams (calf, out); EDGE Jermaine Johnson (ramp-up); DE Will McDonald (hamstring, out); WR Xavier Gipson exited early (shoulder); DE Rashad Weaver and CB Bump Cooper (hamstring, in-game). WR Mike Williams was traded pre-preseason.
Conclusion
The New York Giants defeated the New York Jets 31-12 in their 2025 NFL preseason matchup on August 16, driven by Jaxson Dart’s stellar showing (14-for-16, 137 yards, 1 TD pass; 1 rushing TD) and Russell Wilson’s 80-yard bomb to Beaux Collins, while a defense forcing 2 turnovers restricted the Jets to 250 yards. Breece Hall (52 rushing yards) and Justin Fields (112 passing, 22 rushing) provided Jets bright spots despite 2 lost fumbles and injuries. The victory capped a 2-0 Giants preseason, boosting QB optimism, while the Jets (1-1) focus on regular-season tweaks under Aaron Glenn. For more detailed stats and recaps, visit ESPN, NFL.com, PFF, or Giants.com.