By James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

EAST RUTHERFORD — The Giants are thumping the Jets, 29-3, at halftime.

And it all started when they made a change at ... right guard?

Yup. After a horrible first series, John Jerry was shown the bench and Brett Jones was installed as the first-team right guard. Offensive success, and points, soon followed.

What does it all mean? And what happened elsewhere for the first-team offense? Let's break it all down with some instant analysis:

Don't Edit

BRETT JONES IS IN

Ben McAdoo finally did something about his woeful offensive line. Will he stick with it?

After veteran right guard John Jerry had a pair of horrid snaps in pass protection on the opening drive, the second allowing Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson to force Giants quarterback Eli Manning into flinging up a jump ball interception, McAdoo yanked Jerry and put in reserve Brett Jones, who had taken some first-team snaps in practice this past week.

Don't Edit

(Amanda Marzullo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Jones wasn’t perfect, but he was better than Jerry. The Giants put together a solid drive in his first series, settling for a field goal after Manning was unable to connect with tight end Evan Engram on an end zone fade. On the next series, the Giants finally scored their first offensive touchdown of the preseason.

Is Jones the starter now? He should be. Jones played well on Monday in Cleveland. He played well last season in limited work. He played well Saturday against the Jets. Jerry has been poor this preseason. Et cetera.

This feels like a stand McAdoo has to stay with. He’s always talked about competition, position battles and trying different things with his embattled offensive line, but it’s never really come to pass. If it doesn’t here, will anyone be able to take McAdoo’s talk about the line seriously going forward?

Don't Edit

WHAT WOULD JONES AT RG MEAN?

If Jones is the new starting right guard, it could have a significant impact on how the Giants put together their 53-man roster a week from Saturday.

Jones is their backup center. If he’s playing at guard, does that open the door for Adam Gettis or Jon Halapio to make a late push as a third snapper? It’s unlikely the Giants would consider cutting Jerry – he just signed a three-year deal and they would take somewhat of a salary cap bath – but you never know.

Don't Edit

William Hauser | USA TODAY Sports

if Jerry is demoted to a reserve role, it could put pressure on D.J. Fluker. Fluker replaced Jones at right guard when Eli Manning left the game and backup Josh Johnson entered, giving Fluker his first snaps with the first-team offensive line, if not the entire first-team offense.

The snaps were a good sign for Fluker. But Jones is clearly ahead of him, and Jerry presumably remains in front as well. The Giants see Fluker, it seems, as a backup guard. If Jerry is no longer the starter, Jerry moves into that role. It could create a situation where undrafted rookie Chad Wheeler is considered a better tackle option than Fluker, and there’s not enough room on the roster for both Fluker and Jerry.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

ELSEWHERE ON THE O-LINE

The group wasn’t great. Manning felt pressure on several snaps. The interior seemed to get beat up at times, the tackles at others. But the run game found some semblances of life (nine carries for 41 yards with Manning in) and he was able to move around the pocket and get the ball out quickly for the most part. There were plays to be made – some were, others were incomplete passes.

Don't Edit

John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Giants are past the point of believing/hoping their offensive line will become anything more than serviceable. That is the best they can ask for, and the line appeared to fit that bill Saturday once Jerry got yanked and Jones went in.

When Manning left the game, things went downhill a bit. Johnson got sacked on his first drive, and it looked like it may have been on left tackle Ereck Flowers. Flowers' technique was up and down again.

Don't Edit

EVAN ENGRAM

When you’re wrong, you’re wrong. The Giants clearly have a plan to use Engram, and the possibilities look promising. Engram had two catches for 32 yards on three targets, including an impressive 19-yard catch in which he put a nifty double move on Jets linebacker Darron Lee. His other target was a fade to the end zone that could have been a touchdown if things broke an inch or two differently.

Engram probably got more attention his way due to the absence of Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Tavarres King, and it remains to be seen how much he’ll be on the field once everyone is healthy and the offense is in full swing. But for now, it definitely looks like Engram may surpass the modest statistical expectations the track record for first-round rookie tight ends suggests.

Don't Edit

FINALLY

The Giants scored their first offensive touchdown of the preseason. It was a 1-yard run by Orleans Darkwa. You can watch it below.

Don't Edit

Darkwa walks it in easily for 6 #NYG pic.twitter.com/jchAqaS5K1 — National Caucasian Distributor of Cold Takes (@EthanGSN) August 26, 2017

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

LEWIS AND RUDOLPH

Roger Lewis entered the game with added job security and a chance to hammer his spot on the 53-man roster home. Did he do it? Lewis had two catches for 32 yards on three targets. He had a drop, but he then hauled in a great 17-yard catch to set up the touchdown.

Undrafted rookie Travis Rudolph also made a bit of a move, turning a circus catch into a 57-yard gain. He likely remains behind Lewis, but if he keeps stating his case, Tavarres King's roster spot could soften as he deals with an ankle injury.

Don't Edit

ELI WAS FINE

Manning was 7-for-14 for 121 yards and an interception before leaving the game. The interception was a bad throw he shouldn't have made, but he was under extreme duress. He has to take the sack, and he probably does in the regular season. Manning won't play again until Sept. 10 in Dallas, but the Giants should have no issues with that. They've seen enough. He's ready.

Don't Edit

STERLING SHEPARD

He was the only wide receiver on the field for the Giants that will have any sort of significant role in the offense this season, and he looked the part with two catches for 47 yards including a nifty 31-yard grab.

Don't Edit

John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

There has been a concern the arrival of Engram and Marshall will take snaps and targets away from Shepard this season. If he plays like he did Saturday, the Giants will have to find ways to make sure that doesn't happen.

Don't Edit

KEEP KICKING

Aldrick Rosas nailed a 24-yard field goal and two extra points. Mike Nugent made a PAT and a 50-yard field goal. The battle rolls on, and no one is blinking.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.