EAST RUTHERFORD — Jaxson Dart twirled, blew kisses and flexed his arms as he ran out of the tunnel for pregame introductions. The packed crowd gave him a standing ovation when he took the field with the Giants’ offense for the first time. Energy and optimism filled MetLife Stadium, which has long craved to see a winner again.
The Dart Party was just getting started.
There were many qualities that the first-round rookie exhibited Sunday afternoon — athleticism and throwing on the run among them — but it was the fact that he ultimately made plays that scored the Giants a 21-18 upset win over the Chargers which made his debut a hopeful one.
Dart finished 13-of-20 for 111 passing yards and a touchdown, plus 10 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut as a starting quarterback.
Dart made such an instant impact that the Giants scored a touchdown on their opening series for the first time since last Thanksgiving in Dallas (nine games ago). He capped the nine-play, 89-yard drive with a 15-yard run down the middle of the field without being touched.
Clearly, Dart’s ability to run the read-option and abundance of physical traits open up all sorts of possibilities within the Giants’ playbook now.
A tip of the hat must also go to the Giants’ defense, which had two huge interceptions and made timely stops courtesy of its much-hyped pass rush finally coming up clutch.
Abdul Carter was a monster with five quarterback hits. Dexter Lawrence literally snatched a pass from Justin Herbert before it could reach the line of scrimmage for his first career interception. Dru Phillips’ pick and 56-yard return set up the touchdown that gave the Giants an 11-point lead in the third quarter.
And Brian Burns’ 16-yard sack with 3:46 remaining, which forced a Chargers punt, all but ensured that this promising day would not end in more Giants torment.
It wasn’t all sunshine and roses, despite the immaculate late September weather, as top receiver Malik Nabers left in the second quarter with what multiple reports stated is feared to be a torn ACL.
That surely hurts the Giants’ short-term outlook and isn’t ideal for Dart’s growth.
But the rookie knocked off an undefeated opponent and gave the Giants their first win of the season in his first NFL start on Sunday anyway. And that’s what has to give Giants fans hope that, finally, they have their quarterback.
Greg Johnson covers the New York Giants and NFL for MediaNews Group. Reach him at [email protected].
