Is there a team in the NFL that generated more excitement than the New York Giants in Week 1? Their clinical beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys pushed them to the forefront of national football conversations and ignited some breakout hype for their most impressive players.
But for each player, the caveat of "It's only Week 1" still lingers. Sure, the Jaxson Dart and Isaiah Likely connection was electric, but can they really carry that into the rest of the season?
With strong showings in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, New York's top performers in the season opener can solidify their breakout statuses.
4 Giants who can build on encouraging starts entering Week 2
Cam Skattebo
The Giants beat the Cowboys with physicality and unrelenting control. Skattebo was a key factor in those areas, taking his 18 carries for 81 yards and a score. Matt Nagy clearly wants to lean on the running game, and the second-year back seems to be the focal point of that attack.
But maintaining control of the game is a much more daunting challenge against the Rams. Skattebo's Week 2 efficiency is New York's key to dominating the time of possession again. With another downhill performance, he'll establish himself as the engine of Big Blue's offense, even if Dart is its face.
Jaxson Dart
Speaking of Dart, his job doesn't get any easier in Week 2. Even without Myles Garrett in the lineup, Chris Shula's defense is as talented as they come. Aaron Donald's return makes the front as dangerous as any the Giants will face this year, and the Rams have significantly improved their secondary.
If Dart is going to continue on the breakout trajectory he started in Week 1, he needs to stay under control against Los Angeles. He has the tools to take this game over, but Shula will do everything he can to throw him off his rhythm.
Isaiah Likely
We saw the Likely breakout coming from a mile away, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable. The offseason addition stole the spotlight in Week 1 with two touchdown catches and a few lead blocks on explosive runs. Even if Malik Nabers takes over as Dart's top target, Likely is a perfect second option.
We're not expecting him to score twice again against the Rams, although we certainly wouldn't complain. Instead, Likely needs to continue offering Dart a reliable target on third downs. As that trust builds up, the tight end will step into the Travis Kelce role in Nagy's offense.
Jevon Holland
Holland's interception against the Cowboys was one of the most important plays of the game. He's off to a good start in his fight to regain the reputation he lost last year, but the Rams will test him.
Stafford pushed the ball down the field more than any other quarterback in 2025, attempting 106 passes of at least 20 yards. Holland will be tasked with keeping a lid on the Rams' passing attack. It's a tall task, but if he can do it, he'll shut down the free-agency whiff allegations that followed him after his disappointing 2025 campaign.
Add us as a preferred source on Google