Is Giants Jet a Real Rivalry?

Regionally, yes. In terms of rankings, not really.

For the next couple of days, the Giants and Jets will share practice facilities—Flowham Park on Tuesday and Rutherford on Wednesday—giving us hope that it’s time to see some real competition. They’ll clash at MetLife Stadium on Saturday at 7 PM.

Here are five key matchups to keep an eye on:

Giants WR Marik Neighbors vs. Jets CB Sauce Gardner

If Neighbors can shake off his toe injuries, this matchup is crucial for discussions about the league’s top receivers. Facing off against Gardner, who is now the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, seems like a fitting place to start. Gardner had a solid season with the Packers and is looking for a rebound this year.

Jets WR Garrett Wilson vs. Giants CB Paulson Adebo

Adebo, with his large three-year, $54 million contract, is stepping up as the top cornerback. His first challenge is against Garrett Wilson, who’s just received a hefty paycheck himself and has built a strong rapport with QB Justin Fields. It would be interesting to see them in a one-on-one drill, although Adebo won’t be traveling with receivers during 11-on-11 plays.

Jets RT Armand Membou/Lt Olu Fashanu vs. Giants Edge Abdul Carter

The Membou-Carter matchup features a rookie looking to make a name for himself. Fashanu is also going up against a former college teammate. So far, Carter seems to struggle with blocking—his preseason debut against a Pro Bowler like Dion Dawkins didn’t go well.

Giants QB Russell Wilson vs. Jets LB Jamian Sherwood

This matchup initiates a strategic game. Will Wilson adapt his play at the line of scrimmage like he usually does? The Jets recently extended Sherwood’s contract to $45 million, highlighting a shift in their defensive strategy, especially now that CJ Mosley is also involved.

Jets RBs Breece Hall/Braelon Allen vs. Giants Defense

The Giants have struggled with rush defense for the past two years, and although they’ve invested in improvements, concerns linger. The Jets aim to be a power-running team, which showed promise last year against the Packers. Allen, weighing in at 235 pounds, has the potential to break through defenses.