Look, I’ve watched enough preseason football to know that most of it is about as exciting as watching paint dry in slow motion, but Giants vs. Jets was a classic. Every once in a while, something happens that makes you sit up in your chair and remember why you fell in love with this game in the first place. Russell Wilson‘s 80-yard bomb to rookie Beaux Collins in the Giants’ 31-12 win over the Jets? That was one of those moments.
Big Blue barely got over the 25-plus point mark last year, let alone 30, and they did it in consecutive preseason games to start off the 2025 NFL season. The new quarterback additions seem to have them trending in the right direction.
The veteran quarterback, who many wrote off, launched what can only be described as a perfect moon ball that found Collins streaking down the field at MetLife under the lights in the “Snoopy Bowl”. It was the kind of throw that makes defensive coordinators wake up in cold sweats and gives Giants fans something they haven’t had in years.
Russell Wilson Silences the Doubters
Remember when everyone said Wilson was washed up? Pepperidge Farm remembers, and so does Wilson, apparently. The former Seahawks star has been quietly putting together a solid training camp, but this 80-yard strike was his way of announcing to the world that reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.
The throw itself was a thing of beauty, the kind of pass that would make Aaron Rodgers nod in approval while simultaneously plotting Wilson’s downfall. What made the play even more impressive was the pocket presence Wilson showed. He stood tall in the face of Jets pressure, stepped up at the right moment, and delivered the ball with the confidence of a man who’s been doing this at an elite level for over a decade.
Beaux Collins: The Rookie Making Waves
While Wilson deserves credit for the throw, let’s not forget about the man who hauled it in. Beaux Collins, a rookie who’s been turning heads throughout training camp, showed the kind of speed and hands that make general managers look like geniuses and make other teams wonder how they missed him in the draft.
Collins’ route running was crisp, his acceleration was impressive, and most importantly, he caught the ball. In an era where drops happen more frequently than Jets fans’ hopes getting crushed, actually securing a pass like this is worth celebrating.
Although he had a few bad reps with some miscommunication, this is someone who can make the team potentially as the 5th or 6th receiver on the depth chart and can develop.
The young receiver has been one of the pleasant surprises of Giants training camp, and this catch-and-run performance against the Jets was just the latest example of why the coaching staff is high on his potential. He’s got the size, speed, and apparently the hands to be a legitimate weapon in this offense.
The same can be said about Jaxon Dart’s former teammate Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr., as he is trying to make the team as that 6th receiver as an undrafted rookie. He made a nice yards after catch play on a screen to set up the Dart rushing touchdown.
Giants Offense Looking Dangerous in Preseason
Beyond the Wilson-to-Collins fireworks, the Giants offense showed flashes of what could be a significantly improved unit in 2025.
Jameis Winston continued to prove he’s more than capable backup material with his own impressive throws, including a 34-yard strike to special teamer/ undrafted rookie wide receiver Dalen Cambre that had Jets defenders looking lost.
The offensive line, which has been a source of concern for what feels like the past decade, actually gave the quarterbacks time to work. Evan Neal‘s transition to guard has looked smooth, and the protection schemes seem to be clicking better than they have in recent memory.
The addition of their fifth-rounder, Marcus Mbow, at offensive tackle, has been a great one, and it is showing results. The mid-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft has been dominant in the back-to-back games, including starters.
Even the running game showed signs of life, with Dante “Turbo” Miller having two nice outings as a depth running back who could make the team. When your running back is finding holes and your quarterbacks are slinging it downfield with confidence, good things tend to happen.
The Road Ahead for Big Blue
The Giants still have work to do before the regular season begins, but performances like this one give fans legitimate reasons for optimism. Wilson looks comfortable in the offense, the young receivers are making plays, and the overall team chemistry appears to be developing nicely.
Head coach Brian Daboll has to be pleased with what he’s seeing from his squad. The execution was crisp, the effort was there, and most importantly, players are making the kinds of plays that translate to wins when the games count.
That Wilson-to-Collins connection might just be the beginning of something special in East Rutherford. And if you’re a Giants fan who’s been starved for excitement, that 80-yard moon ball should tide you over until the real games begin.
