Malik Nabers vs. Sauce Gardner: 5 battles we hope to see at Giants-Jets joint practice

FLORHAM PARK - The Giants have already tested their mettle against the best team in New York in their preseason opener against the Super Bowl contender Buffalo Bills.

Now they'll see how they measure up against the team they share MetLife Stadium with.

The Giants are traveling to the Jets on Tuesday for the first of two consecutive joint practices in advance of Saturday's preseason game between the two teams at the Meadowlands. The scene will shift to the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in the shadow of MetLife on Wednesday.

Typically, teams will hold joint practices and, in a controlled setting, they can get the matchup work for their best players against one another. We can only hope that's the case with Giants-Jets.

There will be a lot of attention on the quarterbacks, and rightfully so. Giants rookie Jaxson Dart will again be in the spotlight coming off his impressive showing in his preseason debut.

Meanwhile, former Steelers teammates Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will be on opposite fields taking their chances against the first-team defenses.

Here are the five potential 1-on-1 showdowns you can sign us up for:

WR Malik Nabers vs. CB Sauce Gardner

Nabers has been outstanding and impossible to cover so far in his second summer as a pro. He stayed back in New Jersey for treatment and did not play in the preseason opener, and anyone looking to watch talented players must hope he participates this week against the Jets. Gardner just got paid and he's an elite player. Since Gardner stays in coverage on one side of the field, the Giants should be purposeful and make sure Nabers gets looks against him.

OLB Abdul Carter vs. OT Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou

Carter has been beyond expectations so far this summer. He had just six snaps in the preseason opener, yet made an impression with his overall instincts and athleticism. He goes back to Penn State with Fashanu and Membou is a rookie right tackle who is also talented. Seeing Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux against the Jets is going to be fun as well.

DL Dexter Lawrence vs. C Joe Tippmann

The Giants have been easing the best defensive tackle in football back after an elbow injury ended his season a year ago. So we might not see Lawrence going straight up against Tippmann much. This also could represent Lawrence's first big push of the summer if he's feeling fresh.

C John Michael Schmitz vs. Jets interior defensive line

Schmitz had a positive performance Saturday and it's imperative he has a leap year for this Giants offense to reach its potential. Can he do it? He won't see Jets star Quinnen Williams, who is sidelined with a calf injury. Veteran Jay Tufele played very well against the Packers in the Jets' preseason opener. Second-year pro Leonard Taylor impressed against the Giants last year as a rookie.

CB Paulson Adebo and Tae Banks vs. WR Garrett Wilson

Adebo has seen a lot of Nabers in camp, and while Nabers has made plays on him, the Giants' free agent acquisition has not been undressed in coverage, either. So let's set up these two days with Adebo seeing a lot of Wilson. The CB2 competition between Banks and Cor'Dale Flott, who has been sidelined due to injury, should get ramped up here as well.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Malik Nabers vs. Sauce Gardner: 5 battles to watch at Giants-Jets joint practice