NY Jets lead Giants 17-10 at halftime: Confident Mike White, destructive Kwon Alexander

New York Jets take a 17-10 lead into halftime against the Giants, thanks to Mike White's quarterback play and Kwon Alexander's destruction.

By Geoff Magliocchetti

Aug 28, 2022 - 2:59 pm

Game Story

Michael Carter II, Javelin Guidry, New York Jets, Giants, Getty Images

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MetLife’s been painted green in the early going

Jets (17)

PASSING: Mike White (10 of 13, 142 yards, 2 TD)
RUSHING: Tevin Coleman (3 carries, 14 yards)
RECEIVING: Jeff Smith (3 receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD)

Giants (10)

PASSING: Davis Webb (8 of 12, 35 yards)
RUSHING: Tyrod Taylor (1 carry, 13 yards)
RECEIVING: Daniel Bellinger (3 receptions, 37 yards)

.@kwon 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪#NYGvsNYJ on NFLN/WCBS pic.twitter.com/FFinQzwmQJ

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 28, 2022

Weapons Of Pass Destruction

Like anything football-related in the month of August, anything the New York Jets accomplish on Sunday should be taken with even the tiniest grain of salt, especially considering that their rivals opted to sit their starters.

But after watching an undeveloped passing pair of Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder run wild in the rain on national television on Monday, the Jets’ defensive effort was downright dominant.

They allowed only 98 Giant yards on six possessions (all but one of which lasted five players or fewer) while Michael Clemons and Kwon Alexander went viral for big hits while Quinnen Williams and Michael Carter II united for a sack.

Carter made up for his offensive namesake’s lost fumble with an interception of Taylor that set up a 49-yard Greg Zuerlein field goal.

Two TD passes for @MikeWhiteQB 🎯#NYGvsNYJ on NFLN/WCBS pic.twitter.com/ndMsUGQRsu

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 28, 2022

The White Stuff

Perhaps fueled by the rise of preseason folk hero Chris Streveler, White relieved Joe Flacco (whose ill-advised attempt to the rushing Carter led to a pick-six for Austin Calitro), White provided a reminder of what he could bring to the table in the case of a long-term emergency involving Zach Wilson.

He took care of some sizable New York drives by leading them to scores on two of their final three possessions. Braxton Berrios took care of most of the work on a 21-yard score, but White’s 19-yard strike to Jeff Smith down the middle gave the Jets their halftime lead.

New Beginnings For Tight Ends

White’s entry afforded the Jets’ receivers a chance to show their stuff and White took advantage of the revamped tight ends room: Tyler Conklin, Lawrence Cager, Kenny Yeboah, Trevon Wesco, and C.J. Uzomah united for 63 yards on six receptions, almost all of which set up first downs.

Elsewhere, Denzel Mims had another solid first half to open what could be his final hours in a Jets uniform, earning 29 yards on two targets, both of which earned first downs.