Dart Sharp ln Big Blue Debut
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
Bad Injury For Big Blue
Photo: Special to the New York Beacon
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart made his starting debut at MetLife Stadium Sunday to help lead his team to their first win of the season, a 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
There were highs in the win as the team stepped up to battle on both sides of the ball, but also New York faced some lows, as players, like star wide receiver Malik Nabers, faced injuries and Dart was examined for a concussion. Outside linebacker Brian Burns helped defense with explosive plays in crucial moments limiting the Chargers, while Dart took the offense down the field to score with a touchdown pass, two field goals and also ran for another touchdown himself.
“This experience was a special one, it being my first one,” Dart said. “I’m just grateful to have the guys around me that I had.”
According to ESPN Dart “joined Tim Tebow to become just the second player since 2000 to post a passing touchdown, rushing TD and 50 rush yards in a first start.”
The start to the season included tough matchups against the Washington Commanders, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Kansas City Chiefs. It was announced Dart would start following the Giants loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the third loss of the season.
“I obviously want to give a big shout out to (quarterback Russell Wilson) Russ,” Dart said. “I know that this week probably wasn’t the easiest thing, but he handled it like a professional and just was a mentor for me.”
The Giants scored on their opening drive as Dart rushed 15-yards for a touchdown. Jude McAtamney kicked two field goals in the second quarter. The Chargers fought back in the second quarter. Cameron Dicker kicked a 43-yard field goal when about 8:06 remained until halftime and quarterback Justin Herbert later connected with wide receiver Quentin Johnston for a touchdown with about 35 seconds left in the quarter. Star wide receiver Malik Nabers sustained a knee injury in the second quarter and was carted off the field. Giants safety Jevon Holland sustained a neck injury. The Giants led 13-10 at halftime.
New York returned after halftime to play a strong third quarter. Burns’s made a quarterback hit as Herbert passed with about 3:47 left in the quarter. Giants cornerback Dru Phillips intercepted Herbert’s’ pass. Dart tossed the ball to tight end Theo Johnson during the next possession for a touchdown and then to running back Cam Skattebo for a 2-point conversion.
“When you have a guy like that who just brings the juice every single day and gives it his all, the guys around him want to play harder,” Dart said about his connection with Skattebo.
“At the end of the game, that was huge, yeah, huge,” Coach Brian Daboll said about Burns’ efforts. “The guys played tough, all the guys: defense, special teams,offense. The coaches did a good job.”
Burns had four quarterback hits and one sack. Linebacker Darius Muasaued led the Giants defense with six combined tackles and assists. Dart completed 13 of 20 passes for 111 yards and was sacked five times. Herbert completed 23 of 41 passes for 203 yards and was sacked twice.
Aside from the action on the field it was exciting win for the fans to watch on a warm fall afternoon. Just ahead of October, breast cancer awareness month, the Giants promoted the NFL’s campaign Crucial Catch, a year-round campaign in partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to educate fans about early cancer detection and risk reduction.
The Giants travel to New Orleans to face the Saints Sunday.
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