Giants vs. Jets score, takeaways: Denzel Mims follows trade request with big performance in preseason finale

Mims helped the Jets cap off a perfect preseason

The 53rd preseason game between the Big Apple's two teams had a little bit of everything. Sunday's game featured big hits, game-changing plays on both sides of the ball and a last-minute, game-winning touchdown pass from Jets quarterback Chris Streveler to Calvin Jackson Jr. The Jets then withstood a Giants' Hail Mary pass into the end zone on the game's final play to pull out a 31-27 victory. 

The game, which was uncharacteristically physical for a preseason bout, did not include the majority of the Giants' starters, including Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. It did feature many of the Jets' starters though, as well as a veteran who played well following a recent trade request (more on that later). 

Let's take a deep dive into what transpired Sunday in East Rutherford. 

Mims responds to trade request 

Days after his agent requested a trade from the Jets, Denzel Mims let his play do the talking for him on Sunday. The former second-round pick had a 29-yard touchdown catch that tied the score in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with 102 yards on seven receptions. 

Speaking on the NFL Network broadcast Sunday, Jets GM Joe Douglas did not offer an update on Mims' situation. He did state that Mims remains a valuable member of the organization who they hope can contribute to the offense this season. 

Mr. August 

As he did during the Jets' first two preseason games, Streveler engineered a game-winning drive. Streveler, a 27-year-old NFL veteran who won a Grey Cup during his brief time in the CFL, went 13 of 17 for 170 yards and two touchdowns while leading the Jets to a 3-0 record this preseason. 

"I'm at peace with everything," Streveler said after the win. "I'm just thankful for every opportunity in this business, and I don't take anything for granted." 

QB competition? 

It has been assumed that Joe Flacco will be the Jets' starting quarterback if Zach Wilson isn't ready to go against the Ravens in Week 1. Flacco played well on Sunday, but he wasn't as sharp as Mike White, who threw a pair of first half touchdowns following Flacco's pick-six to Giants linebacker Austin Calitro. 

A former fifth-round pick of the Cowboys, White saw his first regular season action with the Jets last season. White started three games, going 1-2 in those games while throwing for 953 yards with five touchdowns, eight interceptions and a completion percentage of 66.7%. He threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the eventual AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. 

Taylor hurt 

Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor left the game after absorbing a big hit outside the pocket by defensive end Michael Clemons. Taylor, after staying on the ground for several moments, jogged off the field before he was eventually carted into the locker room. 

Taylor wasn't the only Giant who was unable to finish the game. Tight end Daniel Bellinger and defensive end Jayln Holmes were ruled out after both were evaluated for concussions. 

Webb lets it loose

Giants quarterback Davis Webb performed well while playing the majority of the game. He completed 10 straight passes during a stretch in the second half while leading the Giants on consecutive scoring drives. Webb finished the game with 202 yards on 30 of 38 passing. 

The 27-year-old quarterback has appeared in just one NFL regular season game during his career. He spent the majority of his college career at Texas Tech before playing one season for Cal, where in 2016 he threw for 4,295 yards with 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. 

Lawson's comeback 

Sunday was Jets linebacker Carl Lawson's first since he ruptured his Achilles' tendon last summer during a joint practice. Lawson helped record a sack by Taylor during his first game wearing the green and white. 

A 2017 fourth-round pick, Lawson recorded a career-high 8.5 sacks during his rookie season in Cincinnati. A torn ACL wiped out more than half of his 2018 season. Lawson rebounded with solid campaigns in 2019 and 2020 before joining the Jets last offseason. 

Alexander's big hit

Arguably the game's most impressive play was Kwon Alexander's jarring hit of Giants running back Antonio Williams. The hit forced Alexander to cough up the ball. 

The well-traveled Alexander is looking to make an impact in New York after previous stops in Tampa, San Francisco and New Orleans. He earned Pro Bowl honors for the Buccaneers in 2017 after leading the league with 108 solo stops. 

What's next 

The Giants will open the 2022 regular season with a road game against the Titans, who clinched the AFC's top seed entering the 2021 playoffs after going 12-5 during the regular season. The Jets will open the regular season with a home game against the Ravens, who started the '21 season at 8-3 before injuries contributed to them losing their final six games. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 4:07 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Streveler leads the Jets on a go-ahead touchdown pass with 22 seconds left. Streveler has been money this preseason. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 4:02 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Mims looks a little shaken up after making the last catch. He's staying in the game, though. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 3:56 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Giants take the lead, so Streveler will try to lead the Jets to a last-minute victory. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 3:42 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Denzel Mims said he wanted more opportunities, and he just got one with a 29-yard TD catch. Jets tie it up. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 3:37 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Gets young tight ends getting involved today, which I'm sure makes Joe Douglas happy. Jets want to get more production out of their tight ends this season. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 3:26 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Speaking on the TV broadcast, Jets GM Joe Douglas did not offer any update on Denzel Mims' status with the team. He called Mims a valuable member of the franchise who remains a viable part of NY's receiving corps. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 3:20 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Make it nine straight completions as Webb hits rookie TE Austin Allen for an 18-yard score. G-Men up front 24-17. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 3:16 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Davis Webb and the Giants' offense are on the move again. He's completed eight passes in a row dating back to the Giants' previous drive. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 3:08 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Looks like the Giants held on fourth and short. It looked like Ty Johnson was going to get it, but his slight hesitation and the Giants' pursuit led to the stop. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 3:00 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Nice drive by Webb and the Giants as New York ties the game. Webb has largely executed short throws and is 14 of 18 so far. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 2:47 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Giants start the second half with the ball, trying to tie up the score after giving up a TD right at the end of the first half. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 2:27 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Mike White looks vastly better than Joe Flacco today. Curious if White's performance so far would do anything to convince the Jets to reconsider who starts Week 1 if Wilson isn't ready. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 2:22 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Nice catch by Denzel Mims near the end of the first half. Mims, who publicly requested a trade last week, has two catches today. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 2:10 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Kwon Alexander delivers a crushing hit that led to a near turnover. The execution hasn't been great but physically this has the feel of a regular season game. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 2:04 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

This one has gotten interesting after a sleepy start. Braxton Berrios takes a quick pass and takes it 21 yards to the house. 

[Aug 28, 2022 at 1:59 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Mike White is in for Flacco, who went 7 of 12 with the pick-six while leading one scoring drive.