For the past few decades, it has felt like the New York Jets have been in the shadow of the New York Giants. The Giants have won four Super Bowls since the Jets won their last, and the stadium the teams shared from 1976-2010 was officially called “Giants Stadium.”
With the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers, there’s a renewed sense of hope and optimism about the Jets. Following their 32-24 win over the Giants in the preseason finale, Rodgers referred to the stadium as “Jet Life Stadium.”
On Thursday, Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard responded, telling Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News,“That’s what he called it? Jet Life Stadium? If that’s how he feels then that’s cool. I don’t feel that way. Obviously. I feel like when we step on the turf that’s our home, we want to protect it.”
The bad blood between the two sides has heated up since last weekend’s preseason finale, with Giants linebacker Jihad Ward taking issue with Rodgers trash-talking him and accusing Rodgers and Randall Cobb of laughing about a Giants player getting injured, which Rodgers denied.
The last time the Jets and Giants both made the playoffs in the same year was 2002. The Giants made it last year and the Jets went out and acquired Rodgers, Dalvin Cook, and others, so fans and players on both sides are reasonably hyped heading into the season.
About Robert O'Neill