Ben Solomon for The New York Times
The Giants' Prince Amukamara forcing an interception during the first half against the Jets, who won, 24-21, in overtime.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The preseason game between the Jets and the Giants on Saturday night was meant to answer some questions for each team's coaching staff. Most notably, could the Jets rookie Geno Smith play well enough to win the starting quarterback job over Mark Sanchez, the incumbent?
A less imperative question, but one that needs answering, is this: Can the Giants' offense score some touchdowns?
In a tedious game that ended with a 24-21 Jets victory in overtime, neither team got what it wanted. There was little competent offensive play by either team, and the ceaseless Jets drama under Coach Rex Ryan advanced to a new level of bizarre.
Looking overmatched, Smith threw three interceptions and carelessly stepped out of the back of the end zone for a safety. And yet, by the end of the game, he may have won the starting job by default. In the fourth quarter, Sanchez took a hard hit on his upper right arm and shoulder and left the game. His arm and shoulder were X-rayed, and he left MetLife Stadium without changing clothes or speaking to reporters.
Ryan said he did not know the severity of the injury. "I'm happy to get the win," he said.
The Giants' Eli Manning, a 10-year veteran, was poised and mistake-free but not especially productive. The Giants scored a touchdown on their first play from scrimmage — an 84-yard scamper by David Wilson — but they never crossed the goal line again. Worse, the Giants' starters converted one of eight third-down tries.
A 32-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff won the game for the Jets with 8 minutes 4 seconds remaining in overtime. But the game will not bolster the confidence of either team, and the coaching staffs are likely to think they still have many questions left unanswered.
Giants Coach Tom Coughlin shook his head when asked about the errors of his offense.
"Some of the things we did out there are ridiculous," Coughlin said. "Whatever is going on with the offense, we've got to solve it and solve it fast."
The troubles for the Giants' first-string offense closely resembled the problems they had in their last preseason game, when they failed to score three times despite being inside the opponent's 10.
The Giants' attempts to score from the Jets' 2 late in the first half were representative of their struggles throughout the preseason.
On third down, the Giants first tried running back Andre Brown up the middle. No gain. Then Manning tried to connect with Hakeem Nicks in the corner of the end zone. The pass was batted out of Nicks's hands.
"I can't explain it," Coughlin said. "I don't think there's any reason for us floundering like that."
As for the Jets, the quarterback who looked the best was the third-stringer, Matt Simms. He threw a 22-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter that helped get the game to overtime.
Sanchez was sacked on his first play from scrimmage and later fumbled a shotgun snap that was recovered by the Giants.
Scrambling on another pass, Sanchez threw on the run and was immediately hit by Marvin Austin, the Giants' 312-pound defensive end. After lying on the field for about 90 seconds, Sanchez walked off the field, gingerly flexing his right arm as he made his way to the bench.
Smith completed 16 of 30 passes for 199 yards with one touchdown. He also threw interceptions of several varieties.
In the first quarter, he threw a pass behind receiver Ryan Spadola that hit Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara in the chest. Amukamara held on for the interception.
Late in the quarter, Smith was under pressure when he threw a reckless pass deep over the middle. It went right to Giants free safety Stevie Brown, who made an easy interception.
In the second quarter, Smith tried to connect with tight end Jeff Cumberland on a quick slant, but Smith did not see Giants defensive end Justin Tuck dropping back into coverage.
The ball came directly at Tuck, who caught the ball for a third interception.
In the third quarter, going against the Giants' second-team defense, Smith led the Jets on a seven-play, 57-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Bilal Powell.
EXTRA POINTS
Stevie Brown, who had a breakout season in 2012 for the Giants, sprained his left knee returning an interception late in the first quarter Saturday. Tom Coughlin did not know the extent of Brown's injury, but he did not sound optimistic. "I feel bad for Stevie Brown," Coughlin said. "He planted his foot the wrong way." ... Terrell Thomas, who had not played since the 2011 preseason because of two serious knee injuries, was the Giants' nickel cornerback in the first half.
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