Saturday night's preseason game at MetLife Stadium between the Jets and Giants isn't one many Green & White fans will be discussing this morning at their kitchen tables.
At the end of the contest, the scoreboard read 26-3 in favor of the G-Men.
But despite the lopsided loss, Jets Nation had to be pleased with the performances they witnessed from the team's secondary.
Interestingly, safeties Yeremiah Bell, LaRon Landry, Antonio Allen and Josh Bush all were making their home debuts for the squad.
And to say the least, the group was impressive.
Bell and Landry started the game, and when they were done after the first half, Allen and Bush came in.
Less than five minutes into the game, Landry delivered a hit to WR Victor Cruz that kept Cruz on the ground for several seconds. Yes, Cruz provided the Giants a 21-yard gain on the play, but the hit Landry produced is what the Jets know he is capable of accomplishing, week in and week out.
Then midway through the second quarter, Landry, the former Washington Redskin, intercepted a pass thrown by Giants quarterback Eli Manning and returned it 21 yards into Giants territory.
Landry left the locker room before reporters arrived following the game. But head coach Rex Ryan said the performance his hard-hitting safety put on was a positive sign.
"You know what I was most impressed with?" Ryan said. "It wasn't the interception or whatever and a couple of big hits and all that. It was the fact that he was dialing in on our defense. He's starting to pick it up.
"You're not worried about him mentally handling it. And it's just great to get him out there in extended time. He played a half today and that was great to see. And obviously, he's an impact player. Without question, he's an impact player."
Along with the interception, No. 30 also finished the game with two tackles. Bell contributed a pair of tackles in the loss as well.
Allen and Bush entered the game after the intermission and the rookie duo appeared much looser than they had last Friday night, when they made their NFL debuts in Cincinnati.
"I did a lot better," Allen said. "I felt like I was just playing instead of being hesitant as far as my assignment and what to do."
The 6'1" 210-pound Allen led the team with two tackles for loss. He brought down Giants rookie running back David Wilson for a 1-yard loss late in the third quarter and then in the final period he wrapped up RB Da'Rel Scott for a 3-yard loss.
"Overall as far as my performance, I thought I played pretty well," Allen said. "I had a couple tackles for a loss and came up filling some gaps, but there's always room for improvement. I'm just trying to get better and adapt to the game."
And just like the veterans ahead of him on the depth chart, Bush put together two tackles.
The outcome wasn't what the Jets were hoping for Saturday night, but the team will improve, regroup and move forward.
"Facing the defending champs, you're going to be amped up, and it's a rivalry, too," Allen said. "We were ready to play. We just came out on the short end of the stick."
