Giants’ Strong Starts with Jackson Dart

The Giants, led by quarterback Jackson Dart, had a notable showing with six players in the end zone during the first quarter.

In Dart’s initial three starts, he achieved a touchdown on the opening possession each time. This included a nine-play, 89-yard journey against the Chargers, an eight-play, 59-yard drive against the Saints, and a six-play, 54-yard drive against the Eagles. Remarkably, the Giants converted all four third downs during these drives.

This marks the first instance since 2009 that the Giants have scored touchdowns on their opening drive for three consecutive games. Dart’s performance is reminiscent of the team’s glory days prior to Phil Simms’ rookie year.

According to statistics from the Elias Sports Bureau, it hasn’t happened since 1978 for the Giants to score touchdowns on their first two possessions in successive games, which they did against the Saints and Eagles.

“One significant aspect of my college experience was getting off to a quick start, and I believe that’s crucial,” Dart shared. “We aim to motivate everyone to play quickly and perform at a high level.”

“On the first drive, you often encounter some unconventional plays that are more scheme-oriented than what we see elsewhere. This is a trend throughout the league—games initiate fast but tend to slow as teams adapt,” Dart explained.

Per NFL Research, teams that register a touchdown on their opening drive this season have a 25-10-1 record (not including games where both teams score touchdowns). The first team to score has a record of 58-34-1.

Head coach Brian Daboll emphasized the effort both players and coaches have invested, stating, “You have to commend the players for their execution.”

Under Daboll’s leadership, there were only four opening drive touchdowns in the past 54 games played by quarterbacks Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor, Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock, and Russell Wilson, compared to Dart’s three in just three games.

Dart recorded two drives with considerable touchdown scrambles and another with a passing touchdown to Theo Johnson.

“A strong start can transform the entire game’s atmosphere,” said right tackle Jermaine Elemunah. “If the first drive results in a three-and-out, it can be pretty demoralizing. Conversely, a lengthy, efficient drive can really disrupt the defense’s confidence.”

It’s quite a task to meticulously plan the opening plays, as a touchback at your own 35-yard line leads to different strategies than starting at the opponent’s 10-yard line following a turnover. But, diligence in preparation pays off.

“Every team has patterns for game starts—on third down, in the red zone—so we try to exploit those opportunities, especially during the initial drive,” receiver Darius Slayton mentioned. “Scripting the early plays helps establish a comfortable rhythm. The first 10 plays are typically well-practiced during the week, making them easier to execute.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s match against the Broncos, it will be tougher, as they’re currently giving up the second fewest points per game (15.8) in the NFL. Still, five out of their first six opponents have managed to score (predominantly field goals) on their opening drives.

Essentially, starting strong is vital, or else teams risk falling behind.

Against the Eagles, scoring 14 points in the first quarter was significant for the Giants, marking the first time in 82 games that they achieved over seven points in the opening 15 minutes, ending one of the longest scoring droughts in NFL history.

“I’m quite vocal about my comfort levels,” Dart added. “However, I also remain open to exploring new strategies. My goal is to play effectively and be efficient within our offensive structure.”

Fast starts matter for all teams, but especially for the Giants, whose defensive strength lies in their ability to pressure quarterbacks. The more early leads they gain, the greater their opportunity becomes.

“We excel at finishing games. Our defensive approach applies significant pressure on opponents—if we score, it’s unlikely they’ll match our pace immediately,” Slayton observed. “This can create an early sense of despair for them.”