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Which New York NFL team is the bigger mess? Giants or Jets?

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Which New York NFL team is the bigger mess? Giants or Jets?

Four more weeks. That’s all New York City football fans must endure. Four more weeks, and this terrible, horrible, no good, very bad season from … will finally be over.

In case you’re someone who doesn’t live in New York — we don’t mean you, Buffalo, your Bills are great — or follow their wretched football teams here’s a snapshot of what’s been going on in the Big Apple lately:

The most interesting part of the New York Giants’ most recent game happened not on the field but in the sky when a fan flew an airplane over MetLife Stadium towing a banner that pleaded with the team co-owner John Mara to “plz fix this dumpster fire.”

The most interesting part of the New York Jets’ most recent game happened in the postgame locker room when star wide receiver Garrett Wilson wondered if losing is in the team’s DNA after the franchise missed the postseason for the 14th straight year.

Welcome to NFL football in New York. It’s a disaster.

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At least some New Yorkers have Juan Soto to look forward to. (Sorry, Yankees fans).

So, what exactly has gone wrong? Pretty much everything.

The Jets thought they were a quarterback away from not only playoff contention but Super Bowl contention when they traded for Aaron Rodgers two offseasons ago. So far, that experiment could not have gone much worse. They are 3-10; the head coach was fired after a Week 5 loss; the general manager was fired during their bye week; and the team has somehow managed to lose five games where they had a lead in the fourth quarter. Wilson said after Sunday’s overtime loss to the Dolphins that the Jets are like Murphy’s Law: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

And they’re not even the worst team in New York.

At 2-11, the Giants are one game worse and are riding an eight-game losing streak with zero wins in the division or at MetLife Stadium. After a brutal 6-11 season in 2023, the Giants were supposed to show some progress in their third year under general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll. Instead, things have been so bad that they released their starting quarterback — the one they’d very recently given a four-year, $160 million contract — in the middle of the season, while the rest of the roster has been decimated by injuries.

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With postseason hopes dead before December, fan bases for both teams have already been turning their attention to the possibility of landing a top draft pick. For the record, the Giants currently sit at No. 2, according to Tankathon. The Jets would pick at No. 7.

But the future, of course, encompasses far more than just the draft, and we’re wondering which team has more work to do to turn things around. That requires an analysis of what needs to be fixed and who’s in charge of fixing it. For that, we turn to The Athletic’s Jets reporter Zack Rosenblatt and Giants reporter Charlotte Carroll. They discussed three of the biggest questions facing these franchises moving forward. After reading their answers, you can decide which New York Football team you think is the bigger mess.

Neither team has a franchise QB (and hasn’t for a while). Do the Giants or Jets have the better path to finding one?

Giants: Some of the only good news for Giants fans over the past few weeks has been that their draft positioning keeps getting better and better … because they keep losing. According to The Athletic’s NFL projection model, the Giants have a 46% chance of picking No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, their “hold” on a top pick in the draft is tenuous. Six teams, including the Jets, have three wins, and if the Giants joined them, they could fall down the board due to the strength of schedule tiebreaker.

But if the Giants do secure a top pick, they’ll have a chance to select one of the draft’s best quarterbacks. Right now, that looks like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward. Some evaluators believe neither is worthy of a top pick, but the Giants are going to be feeling the pressure to find their next franchise QB. Patience might not be an option. Maybe it works out, and they get their guy. Or maybe they’re right back where they started after over-drafting Daniel Jones in 2019.

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No matter what the Giants do in the draft, however, they’ll need to add a veteran bridge quarterback in free agency. Drew Lock, a free agent at season’s end, hasn’t shown enough to be that player. The same goes for Tommy DeVito, an exclusive rights free agent who can be brought back on a minimum salary. The Giants will want the option of letting their top pick sit and learn rather than having to force him into the starter’s role from Day 1. And if the Giants don’t end up getting a quarterback, they’ll need a capable starter who can keep the offense afloat until the following offseason.

Jets: Certainly not the Jets. Rodgers is under contract for 2025, but as of now, it seems highly unlikely that he will return in 2025 — especially since his return would trigger a $35 million option bonus in 2026. The Jets will need to lose out (or close to it) to truly get into the mix for one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft, and none of these prospects are viewed as can’t-miss players. Unless the new GM has a sneaky trade up his sleeve, there are not exactly many appealing options in free agency — and no, Sam Darnold won’t be returning. Most likely, the Jets roll with Tyrod Taylor (or another bridge quarterback) before handing the keys off to someone else down the line — whether that’s a rookie in this draft class or a future one.

OK, excluding quarterback, which roster has the most heavy lifting to do to become playoff-caliber?

Giants: My beat partner, Dan Duggan, delivered a great, in-depth breakdown of the Giants’ building blocks. But the synopsis is this: While there are some high-quality players on the roster, they don’t have nearly enough to feel good about the foundation. As Duggan noted, in three years, Schoen hasn’t drafted or signed a single Pro Bowler.

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Now, there are encouraging signs from rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, running back Tyrone Tracy, safety Tyler Nubin and cornerback Dru Phillips. But the Giants will need to once again invest in the offensive line after going veteran-heavy this offseason. Right guard Greg Van Roten is 34 years old and on a one-year deal, while stopgap right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is signed for just one more season. The lack of depth on the defensive line has been exposed with injuries to Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches and D.J. Davidson. Plus, cornerback has been a weak spot due to uneven play and injuries.

Assuming the Giants emerge with a top pick and don’t fall in love with any of the quarterbacks, they could go the route of trading down, collecting more draft picks and filling out the roster that way. The team also isn’t in bad shape in terms of cap space, with about $58 million next year, according to Over The Cap, so they could plug some holes through free agency.

Jets: The Jets already have a playoff-caliber roster — maybe not as much as I would’ve argued they did a year ago, but they have a core of talent that makes the job opening more appealing than many people are giving them credit for. This is the best offensive line Joe Douglas has assembled in his six years — low bar, but true — and four of the five starters are young and under contract for 2025: Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann and Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson are two talented, young players to build an offense around — and on defense, they’ll bring back a solid core, including cornerback Sauce Gardner, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, linebackers Quincy Williams and Jermaine Johnson, edge Will McDonald and safety Michael Carter II. There are plenty of holes to fill on this roster, but the Jets are starting with a good baseline of talent.

Neither ownership group is faring very well with their respective fan bases right now. Which one is better positioned to turn things around the quickest?

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Giants: Mara craves stability — something this franchise hasn’t had in a long time. In October, the team co-owner said the Giants were not making any in-season changes and that he did not anticipate making any changes in the offseason either. That was six losses ago. Have things changed?

We’re going to find out. The big question for Giants ownership is whether they will stick with Schoen and Daboll or if they’re going to have to start over again. A new head coach would be the Giants’ fifth in a decade, while a new GM would be the Giants’ third since 2017. The decision will obviously have huge ramifications, not the least of which will be whoever in charge will get to select the franchise’s next starting quarterback.

Jets: Historically, you’re better off banking on the Giants turning things around quicker than the Jets — though neither ownership has had a particularly sterling resume in recent years. The biggest difference is Woody Johnson’s involvement — he has more of a hand in the Jets decision-making than Mara does for the Giants, at least on the surface, and until that changes, the Jets are going to have a hard time getting to a place where they’re consistently making the playoffs. If Johnson is willing to turn the keys of the organization over to a general manager and let him run the show, then the Jets can get back on track sooner than later.


OK, we’ve laid it all out for you. Now it’s time for you to choose. Which team is the bigger mess?

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(Photos of Woody Johnson and John Mara: Matthew Stockman and Rich Schultz / Getty Images)

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Prep sports roundup: Redondo Union takes down No. 1 Mira Costa in boys volleyball

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Prep sports roundup: Redondo Union takes down No. 1 Mira Costa in boys volleyball

Redondo Union didn’t care that Mira Costa’s volleyball team was ranked No. 1 in California. This was their South Bay rival coming to their gym Thursday night, and anything can happen when a team digs deep and doesn’t fear losing.

The Sea Hawks (14-2) were aggressive from the outset and came away with a 27-25, 21-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13 victory.

“Chemistry,” setter Tommy Spalding said about the Sea Hawks’ triumph. He’s one of three players headed to MIT, and all three had big matches.

At one point on back-to-back plays, Carter Mirabal had a block and Vaughan Flaherty followed with a kill off an assist from Spalding. Chemistry.

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JR Boice, a Long Beach State commit, was delivering kills, and Cash Essert’s serving and all-around play kept Mira Costa’s Mateo Fuerbringer looking frustrated. The Sea Hawks’ focus was on Fuerbringer, who came alive in the fifth set with six kills, but Redondo was able to come back from an 11-9 deficit.

It was only Mira Costa’s second loss in 25 matches. Redondo Union took over first place in the Bay League.

Baseball

Orange Lutheran 3, Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian 2: The Lancers advanced to the semifinals of the National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C., behind a walk-off single in the eighth inning by Andrew Felizzari. Brady Murrietta had tied the score with a squeeze bunt in the bottom of the seventh. CJ Weinstein had two doubles for the Lancers.

Venice (Fla.) 12, Harvard-Westlake 0: The Wolverines were limited to three hits at the National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C.

Casteel (Queen Creek, Ariz.) 3, St. John Bosco 2: The Braves suffered their first defeat in North Carolina. Jack Champlin threw five innings and also had two RBIs.

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Chatsworth 6, Taft 3: Tony Del Rio Nava threw six innings and had two RBIs in the West Valley League win.

Granada Hills 4, El Camino Real 3: A two-run single by Nicholas Penaranda in the seventh inning keyed a three-run inning for the Highlanders in their West Valley League upset. JJ Saffie had three hits for ECR.

Cleveland 4, Birmingham 3: The Cavaliers pushed across a run in the top of the 10th inning to break a 3-3 tie in the West Valley League win. Joshua Pearlstein finished with three hits, including a home run.

Sun Valley Poly 4, San Fernando 2: Fabian Bravo gave up four hits in 6 2/3 innings for the Parrots, who are tied with Sylmar for first place in the Valley Mission League. Ray Pelayo struck out eight for San Fernando.

Verdugo Hills 15, Kennedy 1: Cutlor Fannon had two doubles and four RBIs in the five-inning win. Anthony Velasquez added two singles and four RBIs.

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Westlake 9, Agoura 4: Jaxson Neckien hit a three-run home run to power the Warriors.

Thousand Oaks 7, Calabasas 5: Gavin Berigan, Jeff Adams and Cru Hopkins each had two hits for the Lancers.

Oaks Christian 11, Newbury Park 2: Dane Disney contributed three hits in the Marmonte League win. Carson Sheffer had two doubles and three RBIs.

Santa Monica 12, Simi Valley 4: Ryan Breslo and Johnny Recendez had two RBIs and a triple for Santa Monica. Ravi Chernack had three RBIs.

Dana Hills 7, Corona Santiago 0: Gavin Giese finished with eight strikeouts over six innings and gave up one hit for Dana Hills.

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Softball

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 10, Sierra Canyon 0: Kelsey Luderer contributed three hits and two RBIs while freshman Ainsley Jenkins threw five scoreless innings.

Chaminade 15, Louisville 2: Norah Pettersen had two hits and four RBIs.

Carson 10, San Pedro 0: Atiana Rodriguez finished with three hits, including a double and triple, and three RBIs.

Huntington Beach 6, El Modena 2: Willow Kellen had three hits for the Oilers.

Murrieta Mesa 15, Chaparral 0: It’s a 16-0 start for the Rams. Tatum Wolff hit two home runs.

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NHL star’s fiancée makes emotional return after undergoing harrowing heart transplant ordeal

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NHL star’s fiancée makes emotional return after undergoing harrowing heart transplant ordeal

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The fiancée of Buffalo Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin received a roaring welcome home in her first appearance of the season Wednesday night, months after undergoing a lifesaving transplant after she suffered heart failure during a vacation in France.

Carolina Matovac, 25, was shown on the jumbotron during Wednesday’s game against the Boston Bruins. Fans cheered as she waved, and Dahlin, who was also shown on the screen in a split, cracked a smile at the crowd’s reaction.  

Carolina Matovac and Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres pose on the red carpet at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Feb. 1, 2024. (Nicole Osborne/NHLI via Getty Images)

“Welcome home to Carolina Matovac, the fiancée of our captain Rasmus Dahlin,” the arena announcer said. “She is back with us, attending her first game of the season. The Sabrehood loves you, Carolina.” 

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In an open letter to fans in September, Dahlin shared that Matovac had been feeling ill for several days during their trip, which led to her experiencing “major heart failure.”

“Fortunately, she received CPR on multiple occasions, and up to a couple of hours at a time to keep her alive, which ultimately saved her life. Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable. It is hard to even think about the worst-case scenario,” he wrote at the time. 

Rasmus Dahlin (of the Buffalo Sabres prepares for a faceoff during a game against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y., Oct. 9, 2025. (Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

Matovac remained on life support for weeks before receiving the transplant in France.

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JACOB WINTERTON, FORMER OHL PLAYER AND BROTHER OF NHL’S RYAN WINTERTON, DEAD AT 25 AFTER CANCER BATTLE

In January, Matovac revealed she was pregnant when her heart failed, adding that her unborn child was the reason she went to the hospital initially. 

“You will always hold a special place in our hearts as our first baby, even though we never had the chance to meet. Our love for you is endless,” she wrote in a post on Instagram on what was supposed to be her due date.

“Though you didn’t get to experience this world, you played a vital role in ensuring that I could continue to be a part of it.” 

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin follows the puck in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on April 1, 2025. (Marc DesRosiers/Imagn Images)

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Despite taking some time to be with Matovac as she recovered in their native Sweden, Dahlin is second on the team with 65 points, and the Sabres are on the cusp of ending an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Transgender women are banned from the 2028 L.A. Olympics by a new IOC policy

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Transgender women are banned from the 2028 L.A. Olympics by a new IOC policy

Transgender women athletes will be excluded from the Olympics beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Games after the International Olympic Committee implemented a new eligibility policy on Thursday.

Eligibility for women’s competition will be determined by a one-time, mandatory genetics test, according to the IOC. The test requires screening through saliva, a cheek swab or a blood sample.

No woman who transitioned from being born male competed at the 2024 Paris Summer Games, and it is unclear if any transgender women currently compete at an Olympic level. The new policy, however, aligns with President Trump’s executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s or girls’ sporting events in the United States.

The eligibility policy approved by the IOC is not retroactive and does not apply to recreational sports programs.

The IOC said in a statement that it “protects fairness, safety and integrity in the female category.

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“Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females.”

Until now, individual sports federations determined whether transgender women were allowed to compete in women’s categories, with the IOC providing only recommendations. Sports that placed restrictions on transgender athletes included track and field, boxing, swimming and rugby.

The IOC Executive Board approved the new policy after 18 months of study. It mirrors the guidelines approved by the World Athletics Council in June, determining eligibility for the female category through screening for the absence or presence of the SRY gene.

The IOC policy leans on scientific research that considers the presence of the SRY gene fixed for life and represents evidence that an athlete has experienced male sex development. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene will be eligible to compete in women’s sports.

SRY (which stands for sex-determining region Y gene) is found on the Y chromosome. In the cell, it binds to other DNA, leading to testis formation, according to the National Library of Medicine. Even men who lack Y chromosomes still have a copy of the SRY region on one of their X chromosomes, which accounts for their maleness.

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Jane Thornton, the IOC medical and scientific director, last year presented to the executive board findings that transgender athletes born with male sexual markers retained physical advantages, even those that had received treatment to reduce testosterone.

Kirsty Coventry, a former gold-medal Olympics swimmer from Zimbabwe, was elected a year ago as the first woman president of the IOC. She campaigned on the importance of protecting the women’s category.

“At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat,” Coventry said Thursday in a statement. “So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.”

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