New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced a statewide order limiting public events to 500 people in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, both the New York Jets and New York Giants will play their games at MetLife Stadium without any fans in attendance.
The NFL plans to start the upcoming season on time, unlike the other major sports leagues that had to suspend or delay their seasons.
The Jets and Giants share MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and typically play their home games in alternating weeks.
“Today Governor Murphy announced that, due to the ongoing public health crisis, his Executive Order limiting outdoor public gatherings will apply to events at MetLife Stadium until further notice,” the Giants and Jets released in a joint statement. “This decision was reached after careful consideration of the current state of the COVID-19 crisis, in discussions with the Giants and Jets, and in consideration of the health and safety of our fans, players, and staff, which will continue to be the primary focus for our teams.”
Joint Statement from the Giants and Jets pic.twitter.com/e8MGmXpimv
— New York Giants (@Giants) July 20, 2020
Tough Seasons Ahead
The Giants will proceed with their first season after Eli Manning retired following a bittersweet final two seasons. Second-year QB Daniel Jones inherits the tough job of replacing a beloved star who won them two Super Bowls. Jones has no shortage of haters who can’t wait for him to fail after the Giants took a huge flier on him with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
In the other home locker room, it’s a make-or-break season for Sam Darnold and the New York Jets. Darnold and the Jets finished strong in the second half of last season with a 6-2 record. The Jets had a strong 2020 NFL Draft that included a potential steal with Denzel Mims. Can Adam Gase improve upon last year’s tumultuous 7-9 season? Or will the team revert to their old LOLJets ways?
Both the New York Jets and New York Giants are 80/1 odds to win the 2021 Super Bowl, according to a recent update by William Hill.
According to the Westgate Super Book in Las Vegas, the Jets are 8/1 odds to win the AFC East and the Giants are 12/1 odds to win the NFC East.
Self-Deprecating Ghosts
Fans in the tristate area are already thanking Gov. Murphy for sparing them a public shellacking, while both teams are ensconced in rebuilding mode. The Giants went 4-12 last season. They won 12 games in the last three seasons. In comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs won 12 games last season, and 34 games since 2017.
There’s no shortage of ghost stories about the old Meadowlands. After almost a half-century, rumors still persist that the mafia whacked Jimmy Hoffa and buried him in the end zone while of the old Giants stadium while it was still under construction. “The Simpsons” even spoofed the Hoffa end zone conspiracy theory in an episode.
Whether Hoffa is haunting the Meadowlands or not, we know that for now, there will be ghost fans at MetLife Stadium for this upcoming NFL season.
