Jets QB Aaron Rodgers and the Giants' Jihad Ward get separated during Saturday's preseason game.
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(East Rutherford, NJ) – The New York Jets and Giants play each other every preseason in a game sometimes affectionately known as the Snoopy Bowl, in honor of MetLife – the sponsor of both teams’ home stadiums.Then, every four years, both teams play during the regular season.
Here in 2023, it’ll be week 8. October 29. Two days shy of Halloween, it will be a raucous atmosphere in the Meadowlands. Fans will be dressed up as ghouls, goblins – perhaps there will be some Bill Parcells costumes. But the passion will be running high, and it’s not just because of the “regional rivalry” between both teams.
This year, there’s some extra drama backing the contest. During last weekend’s preseason game, controversy ensued when Jets WR Randall Cobb injured safety Bobby McCain with a blindside block. Giants edge defender Jihad Ward then got in Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers’ face and let him know he wasn’t happy. As captured by HBO Hard Knocks, Rodgers responded by saying he didn’t know who Ward is. That didn’t sit well with Ward, who later called it “sucker s—t.”
It appears the bad blood between both teams goes even deeper. Also on Hard Knocks, Rodgers referred to MetLife Stadium as “JetLife.”
And veteran receiver Sterling Shepard, the longest tenured member of the Giants, took exception, telling the Daily News Pat Leonard: “That’s what he called it? ‘JetLife’ 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. That’s what our job entails is to protect our home stadium.”
Every NFL game is intense, and every game on a team’s schedule could mean the difference between making or missing the playoffs. But it’s a safe bet to circle week 8 on the calendar.
