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NFL Preseason Roundup: Giants earn New York bragging rights
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It didn't matter if it was Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow at quarterback. The New York Jets could do little against the New York Giants' relentless defense.
Rookie Jayron Hosley returned an interception of Sanchez 77 yards for a touchdown, and the defending Super Bowl champions stifled the Jets in a 26-3 preseason victory against their hometown rivals Saturday night at MetLife Stadium.
Tebow, making his home debut for the Jets (0-2), led the Jets to their only points of the game on a 30-yard field goal by Josh Brown. But he, like Sanchez, struggled to get much of anything going while working with the second-team offense.
"As a defensive line, we were able to get some pressure," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. "And that's really what we need to do if we want to be a good defense. Defensively, as a whole, we played pretty well. We were able rush the quarterback. ... It's a step in the right direction, a plus for us."
Lawrence Tynes kicked four field goals, and former Rutgers fullback Joe Martinek had a 14-yard touchdown catch for the Giants (1-1). Eli Manning and the Giants starters were mostly quiet, too, with the Super Bowl MVP going 7 of 14 for 62 yards and an interception, but they didn't need much to win.
"I thought we had a couple good drives and moved the ball," Manning said. "We converted some third downs, had some opportunities, but didn't get in the end zone. Whenever you play the Jets, you're always going against a great defense."
Sanchez finished 9 of 11 for 59 yards and the costly interception, but was under pressure on nearly every play. He was sacked three times, including twice by Jason Pierre-Paul.
• Texans 20, 49ers 9: Matt Schaub threw a touchdown pass to Lestar Jean and Trindon Holliday returned a punt for another score as Houston's defense stifled visiting San Francisco.
• Bears 33, Redskins 31: Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall looked sharp as host Chicago beat Robert Griffin III and Washington. Bears backup safety Brandon Hardin was taken from the field on a cart because of a neck injury early in the third.
• Rams 31, Chiefs 17: Sam Bradford threw touchdown passes on his first two drives, and St. Louis made improvements on the other side of the ball in a victory against visiting Kansas City in the annual Governor's Cup. Lance Kendricks and Danny Amendola scored on catches of 23 and 8 yards, and Steven Jackson ran for 49 yards on seven carries.
First Published August 19, 2012 7:48 am
