Unfortunately for fans of New York football, whether they cheer for the Giants, the Jets, or both, things are looking exceptionally bleak.

This state of affairs hasn’t reached its lowest point yet. The Giants recently parted ways with Daniel Jones just days after moving him from the starting position, and the Jets dismissed general manager Joe Douglas after letting go of coach Robert Saleh not long before.

It appears there’s even more misery ahead. The season still has plenty of football to offer—or at least the idea of it. After a turbulent week, the situation could worsen, potentially ruining the holiday vibes, all while season ticket holders see no refunds.

On a positive note: The Jets (3-8) have a break this weekend. With Baker Mayfield and the tough Bucs heading to the Meadowlands, it might only result in one loss for the New York scene. Meanwhile, the Giants (2-8) will spend Thanksgiving in Dallas, and perhaps they could snag a win.

But the burning question remains: Which New York team is the more pathetic one?

The Jets have had no winning seasons since 2015 and went all-in on Aaron Rodgers in 2023. Soon, they’ll need to develop a new long-term plan with a new GM and coach—if A-Rod, nearing 41, decides to play another season, thanks to a coach who believes he can still get results out of him.

On the other hand, the Giants have seen only two winning seasons since 2016, pushing hard for Saquon Barkley. They let their star running back go last spring after committing heavily in 2023 to keep Daniel Jones, their first-round pick in 2019, with a hefty four-year, $160 million deal. Poor choices.

Barkley, who took his talents to the Philadelphia Eagles, is shining this season and could be the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. It’s a shame that Giants fans booed him during his recent return to MetLife Stadium, despite his exemplary conduct while in New York. Interestingly, Barkley finally triumphed over the Cowboys—only after switching teams to do it. Jones had one solid season with a single playoff victory, and he received a $40 million-per-year raise.

At what cost? NFL teams need to be cautious when shelling out big bucks, especially when market rates for quarterbacks are skyrocketing. Giants GM Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll made significant errors here, and the team is suffering the consequences. The idea that one should prioritize spending on a quarterback rather than a running back due to perceived value is fundamentally misguided.

Should you choose a game-changing running back over an average quarterback? Absolutely. While the injury risk for running backs is higher, a truly exceptional player warrants investment. People often dismiss running backs as common; however, mediocre quarterbacks like “Danny Dimes” are similarly easy to come by, with inflated draft values.

It’s similar to using analytics during games. Statistics may point to going for it on fourth down, but if your backup guard is being dominated by a star defensive tackle, following that advice could result in disaster.

At times, basic intuition, experience, and a solid understanding of football strategy need to override purely statistical analysis. Schoen and Daboll inherited Daniel Jones, but they didn’t have to commit the franchise to him long-term.

Perhaps Jones will develop into a better player, free from the pressures of being the next Eli Manning, and avoid becoming another Sam Darnold.

It’s worth noting whether Schoen might face job loss due to misjudgments regarding Barkley and Jones. If Giants owner John Mara isn’t contemplating this, then that compounds the problem—even if the Giants are currently outperforming the Jets in the ownership department.

And then there are the Jets. Last month, at the NFL owners meeting in Atlanta, owner Woody Johnson proclaimed that the Jets had the best roster they’ve had in years. Just prior, he had released Coach Saleh and acquired Davante Adams amidst a prolonged holdout of Haason Reddick, who was traded from the Eagles.

A month later, the architect of that roster—Douglas—was also let go. Conveniently, reports began circulating that Johnson had suggested benching Rodgers, countering the earlier notion that the Jets were going to great lengths to accommodate him.

The Jets, after mistakenly selecting Zach Wilson as their quarterback with the second overall pick in 2021, have been in disarray so much that it raises doubts about whether top coaching candidates will find the franchise an attractive opportunity. The situation might take a turn if Johnson, who previously held the role of Ambassador to Ireland under Donald Trump’s administration, secures another position in the upcoming administration, but that is uncertain. Under Trump’s past four-year term, the Jets had disappointing seasons with records of 5-11, 4-12, 7-9, and 2-14.

Who would actively seek out this position? Well, none other than Ryan, who just recently expressed a desire to be the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. The former Jets head coach (2009-2014) has made it clear he wants to return.

In an interview with ESPN Radio, Ryan was asked if he would dismantle the Jets. In true Ryan fashion, he responded with confidence.

“Dismantle? We’re here to destroy the opponents,” he said. “This team has too much talent to play at the level we’ve seen. … No one has witnessed a team that will compete as fiercely as this one will in the future. Believe me, if I’m in charge, you can take that to the bank.”

He’s really emphasizing his point, which might oddly make him a suitable candidate in the Jets’ chaotic environment. Ryan brought the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship games in his first two seasons and was in charge during 2010, the last time the Jets and Giants both had positive win records. However, his tenure ended with a disappointing 4-12 record in 2014. Coaches like Todd Bowles, Adam Gase, and Robert Saleh followed, with only Bowles achieving a winning season over the past ten years.

Earlier this week, Ryan claimed that if he were coaching this season, the Jets would likely be “perfectly undefeated.”

It’s important to note that this is also the same individual who once introduced Trump at a rally. Now he’s making bold statements about going undefeated, but without any substantial evidence.

Bringing Ryan back would certainly generate excitement and attention, fitting right into the Jets’ circus atmosphere.

While it may take time for both the Jets and Giants to become competitive, one thing is clear as they work on rebuilding: there will certainly be a steady stream of drama.

Quick slants

• Las Vegas Raiders rookie Brock Bowers currently leads all tight ends with 70 receptions and 706 yards, putting him on track to break two rookie receiving records set last season by Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua with 105 catches and Detroit Lions’ Sam LaPorta with 86.
• Since Week 5, Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix has achieved a 106.3 passer rating, the fourth highest in the league among quarterbacks with at least 145 attempts. Only Jared Goff, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow have better ratings during this time. After struggling without a touchdown in his first three starts, Nix has turned it around with a 14-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio since then.
• The Lions (9-1), who lead the NFL with 336 points and a +159 point differential, are one of only five teams since the 1970 merger to score at least 325 points with a +150 point differential after 10 games. The last team to achieve this, the Drew Brees-led New Orleans Saints in 2009, went on to win the Super Bowl.
• When Jim and John Harbaugh meet on Monday Night Football with their respective teams, the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens, their parents won’t be present at SoFi Stadium. Jack and Jackie will be celebrating the “Harbaugh Bowl” from their daughter Joani’s home in Florida, marking their 63rd wedding anniversary regardless of the game’s outcome.