The sad news for Big Apple football fans – those who follow the Giants, the Jets, or both – is that the situation hasn't reached its absolute lowest point yet. Not even with the Giants releasing Daniel Jones just a couple of days after demoting their starting quarterback. Nor with the Jets firing general manager Joe Douglas a few weeks after dumping coach Robert Saleh. There's still more football to be played this season, and it could get even worse. After such a busy week, it's a shame to add more mud to the holiday season without refunds for season-ticket holders.

Highlight: The Jets' Bye Week

The Jets (3-8) have a bye this weekend. With Baker Mayfield and the scrappy Bucs coming to the Meadowlands, it's only one (likely) loss for the New York scene. Then the Giants (2-8) will spend Thanksgiving Day in Dallas, presenting a winnable opportunity. But the real competition lies in determining which New York franchise is more pathetic.

Jets' Recent Moves and Future Strategy

Since 2015, the Jets have had zero winning seasons. In 2023, they went all-in on Aaron Rodgers. Soon, with a new general manager and coach on the way, it will be time to formulate a new long-term strategy without him. Even if A-Rod, approaching 41, decides to stick around for another year, as some crazy coach (like Rex Ryan) might think, it's a big question mark. The Jets have been a mess, and their quarterback miscalculation in drafting Zach Wilson with the second pick overall in 2021 is a prime example.

Last month, during the NFL owners meeting in Atlanta, Johnson insisted that the Jets had assembled the best roster in many years. He had just fired Saleh and traded for Davante Adams, with the holdout of Hasson Reddick (obtained in the spring from the Eagles) on its last leg. Roughly a month later, Douglas was fired. Reports surfaced this week that Johnson had suggested benching Rodgers, which contradicts the idea that the Jets were bending over backwards to accommodate him.

Who would be crazy enough to take on the coaching job? Ryan, of course. Months after publicly lobbying to become the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, the former Jets coach (2009-2014) leaves no doubt about his desire to return. During an ESPN Radio interview, he was asked if he'd "blow up" the Jets. His response was typically Ryan-esque. "Blow it up? We're going to blow the opponent up," he said. "There's way too much talent on this team to play the way we've been playing. … Nobody has seen a team that is going to play as hard as this team's going to play in the future, trust me. If I'm the guy, trust me." He's laying it on thick, which in a Jets kind of way, might make him a "fit."

Giants' Mistakes and Running Back Woes

Since 2016, the Giants have had only two winning seasons. They went all-out on Saquon Barkley but let him walk last spring after giving a huge commitment to keep Daniel Jones in 2023 with a four-year, $160 million extension. Barkley, who went to the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent, might be the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year. Giants fans who booed him during his recent return to MetLife Stadium showed a lack of class. It's funny that Barkley finally beat the Cowboys but had to join the Eagles to do it. Jones had one decent season with one playoff win and got a $40 million-per-year extension.

For what? Just because the market rate for quarterbacks is so high, NFL decision-makers need to be more careful with their cap dollars. The Giants' general manager Joe Schoen, flanked by coach Brian Daboll, failed miserably. The philosophy of spending on a quarterback rather than a running back because the position is more valued is flawed. A game-changing running back versus a mediocre quarterback? Sure, the injury risk is greater for a runner, but if the running back is special, it's worth investing in winning. You hear a lot about running backs being common, but so-so quarterbacks like "Danny Dimes" can also be easily found with inflated values in the draft process.

Schoen and Daboll inherited Jones, but that doesn't mean they had to commit to him long-term. Maybe Jones, without the pressure of becoming the next Eli Manning, will grow from his Big Apple experiences and become another Sam Darnold.

Quick Slants in the NFL

Las Vegas Raiders rookie Brock Bowers leads all tight ends with 70 catches and 706 yards, on pace to break two rookie reception records set last season when Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua caught 105 passes and Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta snagged 86.Since Week 5, Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix has posted a 106.3 passer rating, fourth-best in the league for quarterbacks with at least 145 attempts. Only Jared Goff, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow have higher ratings during that span. And after not throwing for a touchdown in his first three starts, Nix has a 14-to-2 TD-to-INT ratio since.With an NFL-high 336 points and a +159-point differential, the Lions (9-1) are just the fifth team since the 1970 merger to score at least 325 points with a +150-point differential after 10 games. A good omen? The last team to hit these marks at this point in the season, the Drew Brees-armed New Orleans Saints in 2009, went on to win the Super Bowl.When Jim and John Harbaugh face each other on Monday Night Football with their Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens, their parents won't be in attendance at SoFi Stadium. Jack and Jackie will watch the "Harbaugh Bowl" from their daughter Joani's house in Florida. And they will have much to celebrate, regardless of which team wins the game. Monday will mark their 63rd wedding anniversary.