The New York Giants are 2-1 since rookie Jaxson Dart took over for Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback. Dart has arrived, making an amazing splash and has breathed life back into this franchise, which has been dormant since their last Super Bowl victory fourteen years ago.
Dart has led the Giants to touchdowns on the first drive in each of his three starts and on their first and second possessions in back-to-back games for the first time this century. Since (at least) 1991, Dart and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes are the only quarterbacks to lead their team to a touchdown on their first possession in each of their first three career starts.
Dart is only the third quarterback in the Super Bowl era to rush for 50 or more yards in each of his first three career starts. Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts are the others.
The rookie led the Giants to a 34-17 upset win over the hated Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. It was Big Blue’s first win on a Thursday in a decade and only their second over the Eagles in nine tries.
Dart had a masterclass of a game, scoring an 81.8 passing grade and 82.3 rushing grade from Pro Football Focus. He is the first quarterback this season to record at least an 80.0 in both categories in a game.
After the big win, Dart was asked if he and the Giants made a statement to the league and the world.
“Yeah, I mean, it absolutely is because you have to have a lot of respect for that team. They just come off winning the Super Bowl. Top team in the league. Quite honestly, nobody really expected us to put up a performance like this,” he said. “As a locker room, as teammates, we felt confident. We just try to play hard for each other. We’re not trying to make statements. We’re just trying to play for each other and win games. We want to find an identity. I felt like we did a good job of putting that a little bit together tonight.”
The Giants are 2-0 at home with Dart under center. They have five home games left this season, but play three of their next four on the road. Trips to Denver and Philadelphia are the next two, and they will be challenging, but this team is showing signs of coming out of the wilderness, and Dart is leading the way with the assistance of fellow rookie and best bud, running back Cam Skattebo.
The duo has combined for some entertaining moments over the first six weeks of the season. They are bringing back the energy that has been missing in the building for the past decade. Skattebo looked like the reincarnation of Larry Csonka, barreling through the Eagles like it was a Pop Warner game. Dart added his own physical play to the effort, refusing to slide on several rushes, taking on tacklers in the same manner as his partner.
Their bromance was on full display on Thursday night, and the national television people ate it up with a fork and spoon.
“There’s a spark that comes from a lot of guys, too. Jaxson brings a spark,” Skattebo said after the game. “He’s a quarterback, a very competitive quarterback that knows what to do with the ball at the right times, and he can use his legs. He does a great job just being the general on the field, and props to him and props to the guys around him that help him be who he is.”
“Their energy is contagious — Skatt and Dart, they’re playing fearless,” said edge rusher Brian Burns, who had two sacks in the victory. “And that’s something I really respect. I hope that as they get older, they age well in this league and they’re going to make more calculated decisions. But right now? Hey man, balls to the wall.”
Full speed ahead, Giants fans.
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