This was nearly the ideal scenario for Jaxson Dart’s first start in the NFL.
Dart showcased his skill with impressive plays, both running and throwing, while the Big Money Defense stepped up, leading the Giants to a surprising 21-18 victory over the previously unbeaten Chargers at MetLife Stadium.
The crowd could be heard chanting “Let’s Go Giants” as the fourth quarter wore on.
Yet, something felt off.
No banner-towing planes flew over the stadium today, likely due to the weather, though ominous clouds lingered overhead.
Star receiver Malik Nabers suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the first half, raising fears of a season-ending torn ACL, which changed the team’s dynamics moving forward.
If Dart can maintain his winning form, perhaps Coach Brian Daboll will take notice.
The Giants kicked off Dart’s debut with an 89-yard touchdown drive. Dart connected twice with Nabers for 20 yards before a penalty pushed them back. With determination, Dart took matters into his own hands, scoring a 15-yard touchdown run.
The defense was aggressive, recording three stops in the first quarter.
The Giants took a 10-3 lead until things took a turn.
With a free play opportunity, Dart threw a deep ball towards Nabers. The scene quickly turned somber as he was clearly in distress. The Giants’ sideline was on edge as they assessed their star player’s situation.
As a cart rolled onto the field for Nabers, the entire crowd went silent. He acknowledged the fans with a wave before disappearing into the tunnel, his face obscured by a towel.
The drive, unfortunately, ended with a field goal after Dart’s efforts fell short, just before the Chargers closed the gap to 13-10 right before halftime.
Dart managed to pass the concussion test early in the third quarter. His hamstring was fine, but he took a tough hit that sidelined him temporarily. In his absence, backup Russell Wilson took two snaps but struggled with a fumble recovery.
After a loud pre-game warm-up, Dart made history, becoming the seventh NFL quarterback since 1970 to defeat an unbeaten team in his first career start.
The Giants’ defense played an instrumental role in supporting Dart. They pressured the Chargers’ quarterback and managed to snag a couple of interceptions, putting the team in a favorable position.
Dexter Lawrence even scored a pick that led to a field goal, though some players seemed to expect a defensive pass interference call that didn’t happen.
When needed most, Brian Burns made a significant tackle, halting the Chargers’ momentum and forcing a punt with mere minutes left in the game.
Still, Dart remained a bit inconsistent, throwing for only 111 yards on 13 completions, yet one important throw to Theo Johnson helped manage the clock effectively.
After struggling for a while, the offensive team finally found rhythm. Dart connected with Travisquerse’s favorite, Patrick Mahomes Johnson, for his first career touchdown pass, extending the lead to 21-10 with a two-point conversion.
As the game progressed, with the Giants leading 21-18 in the fourth quarter, they had the chance to seal the win from the 4-yard line. But a series of missteps—including a tough run that resulted in Dart losing yards—meant they didn’t capitalize.
Dart tried to lob a pass to Onedale Robinson, but it was intercepted, leaving the Giants in a precarious position.
Ultimately, the defense had to stay strong as Dart’s era began without Nabers at his side.
