Jets and Giants Offer No Presents

ROBBINS NEST

By Lenn Robbins, The New York Extra/TheNYExtra.com

Only the holiday season can take the sting out of this: Metropolitan area professional football is awful. This season was over shortly after it started. The Jets opened 1-5. The Giants did the same.

Now, here we are, filled with good spirit and well wishes, and searching for a team to root for in the playoffs.

The tenants of MetLife Stadium owe us.

So, here’s the deal. We’re a big believer in patience. Look at the most successful franchises in the NFL and they all have one thing in common: They have been remarkably consistent in the front office and one the sideline and it shows.

Perhaps the best example of that is the Pittsburg Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger has had one elite season in the last three. Injuries have decimated the roster. Yet the Steelers have laid a foundation and Mike Tomlin is the epitome of a man in charge, a man who won’t waiver, a man you can put your football faith in.

The Steelers (7-6-1) are alive for the AFC North Division title, if not a Wildcard playoff spot.

Do we have that consistency in New York? Nope.

Giants coach Joe Judge does a lot of explaining but the team has simply not improved in his two seasons. If anything, they’ve regressed. It is, of course, not solely his fault. GM Dave Gettleman has made some good picks outside of the first round but the money picks – QB Daniel Jones at No.6, RB Saquon Barkley at No.2, Andrew Thomas at No.4, Deandre Baker at No.30 – are all errors.

If Gettleman is fired, and it would be an immensely hard sell fans on retaining him, the new GM reserves the right to hire his coach. Judge becomes the latest Bill Belichick assistant who didn’t succeed in his act as a head coach.

This is a pivotal draft for Joe Douglas. He needs to complete the mission of building a formidable offensive line and he needs to make the right call on an edge rusher. Than it comes down to Zach Wilson being what Douglas concluded he was – a franchise QB.

We know there will be no presents under this year’s tree. But the Jets and Giants will each have two picks in the Top 10. Both teams need help on both sides of the ball and that is this draft’s strength.

In other words, we better not be having this conversation at this time next year.

49ers -3 over TITANS – The 49ers are all in this season. The Titans were until losing Derrick Henry

$ PACKERS -7.5 over Browns – Call it the Insurance Bowl. Aaron Rodgers gets better rates than Baker ‘The Commercial Maker’ Mayfield.

CARDINALS -1.5 over Colts – We’re about to learn a lot about Zona coach Kliff Kingsbury and QB Kyler Murray. Man, we hate picking against this tough Indy team.

$ Buccaneers -10 over PANTHERS – Fans and players will be prohibited from throwing any electrical devices. Oh yes, Tampa Bay has the greatest QB of all time and Carolina has a gaping hole behind center.

Chargers -10 over TEXANS – What if we told you we think there’s a chance Houston found its QB of future in 3^rd-round pick David Mills. We know the Chargers have found there’s in Justin Herbert.

EAGLES -9.5 over Giants – That the Giants are getting 9.5 points against a team with a rookie coach and a question mark at QB (Jalen Hurts) tells you all you need to know about Big Blue.

Ravens +3 over BENGALS – Toughest call of the week. We are equally impressed with the Raven’s organization as we are with the Steelers.

$ – FALCONS -6 over Lions – Matt Ryan just might get an unexpected playoff appearance.

JETS +1 over Jaguars – Do not let children under the age of nine watch this game, especially if they want to play QB.

VIKINGS +3 over Rams – We will pay for RedZone to have a box on Justin Jefferson vs Jalen Ramsey all game long.

Bills +2 over PATRIOTS – Almost every rookie QB has hit a wall at some point, right Mac Jones?

SEAHAWKS -6.5 over Bears – What does the future hold for Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson in Seattle?

Broncos -7 over RAIDERS – How did the Broncos not have one Pro Bowl player?

$ CHIEFS -7.5 over Steelers – The changing face of the QB position is on full display: Roethlisberger has been a great pocket passer. Patrick Mahomes is the prototype tri-threat quarterback – he throws, he runs and does stuff we just haven’t seen.

COWBOYS -10 over Washington Football Team – Dallas can clinch the NFC East on national television. Jerry Jones might buy another yacht.

SAINTS -3 over Dolphins – We think QB Ian Book is going to impress. We know the Saints defense will.

Home team in CAPS

$ Best bets

7-9

Last Week: 7-9; Best Bets: 2-1.

Season, 111-107-3; 19-12.