EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – Eli Manning got his first dose of real NFL defensive schemes and it had to taste awful.

The top choice in the NFL draft in April, the Giants’ quarterback struggled against the New York Jets in a 17-10 loss Friday night. It was the Jets’ ninth successive win in the annual preseason series.

Usually, exhibition games feature vanilla defenses. But the Jets threw all kinds of defensive looks at the Giants, from both 4-3 and 3-4 alignments, with frequent safety blitzes and a nice mix of coverages. While Giants starting quarterback Kurt Warner handled them decently and led his team to a first-quarter touchdown on Ron Dayne’s 9-yard run, Manning seemed befuddled. Manning’s first pass was intercepted by Donnie Abraham, who jumped in front of the rookie’s intended receiver. Abraham also picked off Eli’s brother, NFL co-MVP Peyton Manning, last week in Indianapolis. But Abraham left the game after spraining his knee.

Manning also was intercepted by Reggie Tongue in the third quarter, missed badly on several other passes and never looked comfortable in going 4-for-14 for 20 yards with two interceptions, two sacks and a fumble. He played into the fourth quarter, but wasn’t much better as even the Jets’ backups were aggressive defensively. His performance could cost him in the Giants’ QB derby, because Warner was 9-of-11 for 104 yards. In all, the Jets had five sacks, including John Abraham’s in the second quarter on which Manning fumbled. After a scramble for the loose ball, safety Omare Lowe snared the ball and ran it in for a 27-yard touchdown and a 17-7 lead.

“We want to get after the quarterback,” linebacker Sam Cowart said. “Donnie Henderson is a great defensive coordinator and he’s done a great job of making this an attacking-style defense.”

Earlier, Warner guided the Giants from their 30 to the Jets 14, but Tim Carter fumbled at the 6. Then Toby Gowin’s short punt set up Dayne’s fourth TD of the preseason.

Doug Brien’s 23-yard field goal got the Jets going, and Curtis Martin, getting extended action in an exhibition game for the first time in several years, sparked an 80-yard touchdown drive. Martin had gains of 11 and 10 yards before Chad Pennington found Matt Dominguez on a crossing pattern for a 15-yard score and a 10-7 lead.

Pennington survived this game, something he didn’t manage last year, basically destroying the Jets’ season before it began. He broke his wrist in the first half and by the time he returned, the Jets were out of playoff contention.

So even though he wasn’t particularly sharp Friday night, he stayed healthy – and the Jets couldn’t complain about that.

Notes: Giants DT Lance Legree recovered two fumbles and had a sack. … Giants starting CB Will Allen left with a sprained left knee. … Martin finished with 50 yards on 12 carries. … Head linesman Tom Stabile missed the second half with a hamstring problem.

AP-ES-08-27-04 2214EDT