Jets vs. Giants score: Aaron Rodgers' touchdown pass helps Gang Green win the battle of New York

The Jets won a high-scoring duel in the Big Apple

At 6:12 p.m. ET, the Aaron Rodgers era officially began in New York. It began, fittingly, with a 10-yard strike to Garrett Wilson, Rodgers' new favorite weapon and the league's reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

The Jets punted on their opening drive, but they found pay dirt on their second drive when Rodgers hit Wilson for a 14-yard touchdown pass. The score was the first of many in the Jets' 32-24 win over the Giants in both teams' preseason finale. 

Rodgers went 5 of 8 for 47 yards during his two series of work. He wasn't sacked, but Rodgers was hurried by new Giants linebacker Isaiah Simmons into an incomplete pass on third down on the Jets' opening drive. 

Moments after Wilson's touchdown, New York went up 14-0 following Brandin Echols' 67-yard pick-six on a pass thrown by backup Tommy DeVito. The Giants got on the scoreboard when Jashaun Corbin's 1-yard scoring plunge that capped off a 14-yard drive. New York was a perfect 4 of 4 on third down on the drive that included DeVito's 11-yard completion to David Sills V on a third-and-10 play. 

The Giants, who unlike the Jets did not play their starters, ended the half with a pair of Graham Gano field goals. Gano's first field goal, a 57-yard boot, was set up by a 28-yard run by former Jaguars starting running back James Robinson. 

Despite the Giants' best efforts, the Jets never lost their lead after Tim Boyle connected on a pair of fourth quarter touchdown passes to Alex Erickson. The Giants kept things interesting, however, when Sills caught a touchdown pass with 42 seconds left. Big Blue's comeback hopes ended just moments later when the Jets recovered their ensuing onside kick. 

Here's a closer look at what transpired in the Big Apple. 

Dynamic duo 

In Green Bay, Rodgers enjoyed prolific partnerships with Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams. It appears that Wilson will become Rodgers' next partner in crime, as the two showed off their rapport on Saturday night. The duo connected three times for 30 yards, not including the pass interference call on a Rodgers throw to Wilson that set up their touchdown connection. 

Becton wins starting job 

Robert Saleh must have liked what he saw of Mekhi Becton on Saturday night. The Jets' coach tabbed Becton as his starting right tackle during his postgame press conference. A former first-round pick, Becton started his career at left tackle before injuries wiped out most of the past two seasons. He has since worked his way back to health and has been rewarded with a starting spot on the Jets' offensive line. 

Jets win battle, but Giants win war 

On paper, this game will go down as a win for the Jets. But the Giants were the superior team once the Jets took their starters out. Big Blue dominated on the ground (outrushing the Jets 125-41) and had more first downs and total yards than their New York counterpart. 

Offensively, the Giants received big games from DeVito and Sills, who connected six times for 81 yards and a score. 

DeVito continues strong summer 

While he was sacked four times, DeVito took the Jets' best punches and kept swinging. All told, he finished the night with 210 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 19 of 29 passing. An undrafted rookie, DeVito completed 67.2 percent of his throws during the preseason with a respectable 85 passer rating. 

"I think Tommy's improved since he's been here," Giants coach Brian Daboll said of DeVito. "He's improved in the practices, in the meeting room. Since he first got here, I think he's come a long way. Has certainly learned a lot. You can tell it's important to him. He's gone out there and played well and executed when we've played. I'm proud of how he's competed and how he's improved." 

New York Sack Exchange

Pass rush was one area where the Jets did win the night. The Jets have five sacks (compared to the Giants' one sack) that included two takedowns by Bruce Hector, a veteran defensive tackle who signed with New York shortly after winning an XFL title with the Houston Renegades. 

Gipson shines 

Along with Hector, fellow backup Xavier Gipson helped his cause to make the Jets' roster on Saturday night. A undrafted rookie who played collegiately at the FCS level, Gipson led the Jets with 71 yards on seven receptions. 

"I thought 82 really took a big step forward in his attempt to make the team," Rodgers said of Gipson. "He had multiple plays where he was short of the sticks on catches and made guys miss." 

Week 8 preview

The two teams will face each other again in Week 8. Unlike Saturday night, that game will feature both teams' starting lineups. Barring injury, the game will likely include Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, two players who played key roles in the Giants' surprising playoff run a season ago. 

[Aug 26, 2023 at 9:09 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

David Sills might have possibly earned a roster spot with his performance tonight.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 8:40 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Jets backup QB Tim Boyle just carved up the same defense that Zach Wilson faced and didn't do too much against.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 8:14 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Graham Gano drills another long field goal, this time from 56 yards out.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 8:12 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

James Robinson is running with intent tonight. Just dragged a few Jets defenders for a gain of 10 yards.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 7:34 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jets offense really hasn't done anything after its second drive. Giants overall depth showing itself in this game. Gemon Evans, the Giants' third string cornerback, forced the Jets' most recent punt when he broke up a deep pass from Zach Wilson intended for Mecole Hardman. 

[Aug 26, 2023 at 7:29 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Graham Gano continues to excel with the Giants. Just drilled a 57-yard FG. As good as the Jets looked early, the Giants have been the superior team when the backup units have been on the field at the same time. 

[Aug 26, 2023 at 7:21 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Nice run by former Jaguars RB James Robinson. Nice block by Matt Peart to spring Robinson free for 28. 

[Aug 26, 2023 at 7:14 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Giants cap off a 14-play, 81 yard drive with Jashaun Corbin's short TD run. Really nice drive by the Giants. They were 4 of 4 on third downs on the drive that included DeVito's 11-yard completions to Sills on a third-and-10 play early in the drive. 

[Aug 26, 2023 at 7:12 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Tough scene for the Giants as Wyatt Davis gets carted off the field. Would be a bad loss for an offensive line that is already thin. 

[Aug 26, 2023 at 7:10 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The Giants might not have enough players to finish this game without going to starters.