The Jets and the Giants collide for the second time this year (Jets posted a 16-10 win in the preseason) as these cross-swamp rivals meet in the regular season for the second time in four years.

The Jets and Giants have split their previous eight regular season meetings, the Giants posting a 13-6 "road" victory in 1996 at East Rutherford (of course) in the last meaningful battle between the clubs.

As for the Jets' last tilt as visitors in this series, the Green and White managed a 10-6 win in 1993.

While the venue doesn't mean much these days (clubs have shared Giants Stadium since 1984), the road team is 6-2 in the eight previous encounters between the teams dating back to 1970.

It's also worth noting that only the first regular-season meeting -- Giants managed a 22-10 win at Shea Stadium in 1970 -- between these two teams took place in New York. The Jets posted a 26-20 overtime victory in 1974 at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut, while East Rutherford, New Jersey (Giants Stadium) has hosted the last six meetings dating back to 1981.

Numbers: Jets RB Curtis Martin has carried 160 times for 678 yards (4.2 avg.) and one touchdown in his last six games, rushing for 100 or more yards in four of those contests -- this after totaling 97 carries for 364 yards (3.8 avg.) and two touchdowns in his first five games in '99. Including playoffs, during the Bill Parcells Era with the Jets (1997-99), QB Vinny Testaverde has thrown 31 touchdown passes and just 11 interceptions while being sacked only 21 times in 17 games with the team. However, five other Jets quarterbacks (since-departed Neil O'Donnell and Glenn Foley, as well as Ray Lucas, Tom Tupa and Rick Mirer) have combined to throw 30 TD passes and 21 interceptions while being sacked 81 times. Including playoffs, the Jets have allowed just 220 points in 17 wins (17 or fewer points in 14 of those contests) while giving up 280 points in 12 losses dating back to '98. Including playoffs, they have committed just 20 turnovers in 17 wins, 28 turnovers in 12 losses dating back to '98. The Jets have allowed 32 sacks in 11 games in '99, this after allowing just 25 sacks in 16 games in '98. They have limited the opposition to 17 or fewer points in four straight games.

In 26 starts dating back to 1997 (17 with Panthers, 7 with Saints, 2 with Giants), Giants QB Kerry Collins has thrown 10 touchdown passes and just four interceptions in eight wins, 14 TD passes and 36 interceptions in 18 losses. Since 1996 (including playoffs), Giants have committed just 29 turnovers in 29 wins, 76 turnovers in 30 losses and a tie. The Giants have scored 320 points and committed just 14 turnovers in 13 wins, while scoring just 171 points and committing 36 turnovers in 14 losses dating back to 1998. They have forced 35 turnovers and totaled 50 sacks in 13 wins, while totaling just nine takeaways and 28 sacks in 14 losses dating back to '98. The Giants have committed four or more turnovers in three straight games.

Things to look for: The Jets defense played one of its best games of the year at the RCA Dome but Jets' QB Ray Lucas and friends just couldn't find the end zone. That doesn't figure to be much of a problem this week against a Big Blue unit that has slumped in recent weeks. And if Giants QB Kerry Collins comes up mistake-prone once again, Jim Fassel's team can kiss the playoffs goodbye.

Etc.: Jets head coach Bill Parcells owns a 35-19 regular-season record in December/January (18-12 with Giants from 1983-90, 12-5 with Patriots from 1993-96, 5-2 with Jets from 1997-98), including 32-12 since 1986.

The Jets are 9-23 lifetime vs. NFC East teams (1-1 in '99), 4 of those victories vs. the Giants. They are 10-20 vs. NFC teams dating back to 1992 (1-1 in '99).

The Giants have lost three straight games. They are just 6-12 vs. AFC teams dating back to 1995 (0-2 in '99).