New York Jets vs. New York Giants in MetLife Bowl: 5 Green Points

Aug 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver

(87) is congratulated by offensive guard

(67) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Jets 35-24. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets and New York Giants will play for MetLife stadium supremacy with the Snoopy Trophy at stake Saturday, but that’s not Jets head coach Todd Bowles’ focus.

Bowles opted to downplay the prized trophy at stake to emphasize the boring stuff like team progression and discipline on the field.

Those motives won’t grab headlines, but this is the type of coach the Jets need. Someone who’s grounded and doesn’t get caught up in the hoopla of a game without much consequence in its results but matters in substance.

Bowles sprinkled some tiresome coach-speak quotes in press conferences leading up to the MetLife Bowl. We’ll read in between the lines to get the gist of what this Week 3 preseason game means to his team.

The Jets will meet the Giants in Week 13 of the regular season and it’s clear Bowles doesn’t plan on opening the playbook for this exhibition matchup. In the bigger scheme of things, it’s about the Jets looking at themselves and asking, “What can I do better?”

We’ll connect the dots and explore five green points to watch out for from Gang Green’s perspective Saturday night against the Giants.

Next: Working on Offensive Continuity