Abanikanda scores on long TD run, Jets sack DeVito 8 times in preseason win over Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Israel Abanikanda helped the New York Jets get out to an early lead with a highlight-reel run.
Their sack-happy defense took over from there.
Abanikanda had a 45-yard touchdown run in the first half and the Jets sacked Tommy DeVito eight times in a 10-6 victory over the Giants in a battle of backups in the New York teams' preseason finale Saturday night.
"It was cool to see all those guys get after it," Jets coach Robert Saleh said.
Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Jets' projected starters watched the snoozer from the sideline, as did Daniel Jones and most of the Giants' starters.
DeVito, slated as the No. 3 quarterback behind Jones and Drew Lock, played the entire game and struggled to get anything going. He finished 14 of 27 for 103 yards.
DeVito was often on the run — gaining 48 yards on five carries — while facing constant pressure by the Jets (3-0), who got 2 1/2 sacks from Takk McKinley and two from undrafted rookie Braiden McGregor. DeVito said the Jets kept switching up their defensive fronts and then started using cornerback blitzes.
"They did a lot more than I was expecting," DeVito said. "I think we were ready for it, but they started amping up a lot of pressure, (including a) left corner blitz. I think literally they did that probably on the second drive. It was a little unexpected."
The Giants (1-2) went with only one projected starter — center John Michael Schmitz Jr. He left in the first quarter with an ankle injury, but said after the game he was fine. None of their six draft picks, including first-round wide receiver Malik Nabers, played.
The only potential Jets starters who played were defensive ends Micheal Clemons and Will McDonald, backups who got extended playing time in the preseason with Haason Reddick a holdout as he seeks a new contract.
Adrian Martinez, the UFL's regular-season and championship game MVP last season, started at quarterback for the Jets and led them on two scoring drives in the first half before being replaced by fellow rookie Andrew Peasley to start the third quarter.
Martinez went 12 of 20 for 99 yards and ran for 23 yards on three carries while trying to secure a roster spot behind Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor.
Undrafted rookie Ayir Asante fumbled the opening kickoff when he was hit by Tre Swilling and Qwan'tez Stiggers recovered, giving the Jets the ball at the Giants 45. Greg Zuerlein kicked a 38-yard field goal for an early 3-0 lead.
Abanikanda put the Jets ahead 10-0 early in the second quarter when he took the handoff, was spun around at the line and then slipped three tackle attempts before zipping into the end zone for a 45-yard touchdown.
"I knew it was going to pop off because I had a couple of runs earlier in the game for 10 yards here and there, so I knew one was going to pop for green," Abanikanda said. "I didn't know I was going to get that free."
It was one of only a few exciting moments for the fans at MetLife Stadium before they injected some energy into things themselves by doing "the wave" at the end of the third quarter.
Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick last year, finished with 83 yards on nine carries. He's competing for a roster spot behind Breece Hall and rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, who are locks to be in the Jets' backfield.
Rookie Jude McAtamney's 43-yard field goal cut the Giants' deficit to 10-3 late in the first half.
Zuerlein doinked a 33-yard attempt off the left upright as time expired in the second quarter and was wide left on a late 47-yarder.
McAtamney's 23-yarder early in the fourth quarter made it 10-6.
SACKS IN BUNCHES
Undrafted rookie defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III was involved in three straight sacks for the Jets in the second quarter. The former Miami standout teamed with Zaire Barnes on a sack of DeVito, then split the next two with McGregor.
INJURIES
Giants: DT Timmy Horne was carted from the field with an Achilles tendon injury after the defense's first snap. ... OT Evan Neal left in the first half with an ankle injury, but said he's OK. ... LB Ovie Oghoufo and CB Mario Goodrich each injured a hamstring in the first half and didn't return. ... OL Jalen Mayfield (lower leg/ankle) and CB Darnay Holmes (neck) left in the fourth quarter.
Jets: G Xavier Newman left with a shoulder injury on the Jets' first possession, but Saleh said he could've returned. ... TE Kenny Yeboah injured his groin, also on the first possession. ... OT Max Mitchell hurt his left shoulder in the first quarter.
UP NEXT
Giants: Open the season at home against Minnesota on Sept. 8.
Jets: At San Francisco for a Monday night opener on Sept. 9.