Grades for Jets-Giants

Here are the top takeaways from Saturday’s Jets-Giants game, including the highest-graded players for each team:

Jets:

–He’s so rarely been anyone’s Plan A, but QB Ryan Fitzpatrick showed well with the first team, going 8 of 12 for 119 yards and two touchdowns when the Giants’ pass rush couldn’t get home. For a team with plenty of talent at other positions, even getting adequate play out of Fitzpatrick could help this team make a big leap from 2014.

–Demario Davis slotted in next to David Harris with the first-string linebackers, and while he proved useful against the run (+2.8 run defense), he was subpar in pass coverage, picking up a pair of penalties. Still, his strong work against the Giants’ line makes him a viable two-down linebacker at the very least.

–Former Redskin Stephen Bowen was signed on the cheap and put forth a strong case that he should be playing in the first half of preseason games, rather than the second. The former Redskin D-lineman tallied three stops in just eight snaps of run defense, though he may have trouble finding playing time in the Jets’ stacked defensive line.

Top 5 graded players:

1. DL Leger Douzable (+3.2)

2. DL Stephen Bowen (+3.1)

3. DB Marcus Williams (+2.1)

4. DL Muhammad Wilkerson (+2.0)

5. LB David Harris (+1.8)

Giants:

–He was passable in the run game, but ninth overall pick OT Ereck Flowers struggled some in pass protection for the second straight week, conceding a sack and a hit while playing just over half of the team’s offensive snaps.

–In his first significant action in the NFL, safety Landon Collins stayed mostly clear of the stat sheet, often a good sign for a safety. He recorded one stop in the run game, though he undid some of his good work with a needless hands-to-the-face penalty against Jets WR Eric Decker.

–A late signing in 2014, LB Uani’ Unga earned his second green grade in three weeks, picking up six tackles on just 31 snaps, four of which were defensive stops. He’s still a bit of an unknown, but more strong play could see him break into a linebacker group that isn’t exactly littered with star talent.

Top 5 graded players:

1. OL John Jerry (+3.2)

2. DL Cullen Jenkins (+2.2)

3. LB Uani’ Unga (+1.8)

4. QB Ryan Nassib (+1.8)

5. OL Brett Jones (+1.3)