Well, that was a tough watch. Just when fans thought the New York Giants’ stunning 21-18 Week 4 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers was going to be the catalyst for something bigger, Jaxson Dart and Co. pulled up to New Orleans and poured ice water on all of it.
The rookie quarterback may have looked better in Week 5 than he did in his debut, but it was a tale of two halves for the young signal-caller, for sure. His first half went about as well as fans could have hoped, while the remaining 30 minutes were anything but. Don’t get it twisted — this might be his second career start, but it’s about as unacceptable a loss as he could have had. It was the Saints, after all.
It was an epic collapse on Sunday afternoon. After scoring touchdowns on back-to-back drives to open the game, it was turnover city and zero points from then on. Three fumbles ultimately did this team in, and what felt like a safe 2-3 record quickly turned into 1-4. Dart finished his second-career start 26-of-40 for 202 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Here are five takeaways from the rookie’s up-and-down performance against the Saints:
5 observations from Jaxson Dart's first career loss vs Saints
Dart likes to start off hot
It’s been two starts for the 22-year-old rookie, and it’s been two games in a row where the offense scored a touchdown on its first drive of the game. Not only is he perfect on opening-drive touchdowns, but on the opening drive in New Orleans, he finished five-of-five for 44 yards and a touchdown pass to tight end Theo Johnson.
The best thing about starting off hot is not having to play from behind. Too often, this Giants team finds itself playing a predictable game due to the scoring circumstances. Dart allowing the team to play with a lead makes everything easier on both sides of the ball.
The Dart Go-kart is gassed up
When in doubt, run it out. Dart didn’t use his legs too often, but when he did, great things happened. We’re talking a career-long 20-yard run after avoiding defender after defender in the backfield late in the first quarter.
No one’s going to mistake the former Ole Miss Rebel for Lamar Jackson, but he ended the game with a respectable seven rushes for 55 yards. Utilizing his legs — especially when plays break down — will be a huge advantage for a Big Blue offense lacking its top playmaking threat for the season... unless he fumbles — more on that in a bit.
Dart calls 'Bullseye' with his tight ends
No Malik Nabers? No problem... at least, that’s what tight ends Theo Johnson and Daniel Bellinger are thinking after their performances in the Superdome. Bellinger came into Week 5 with three catches on the season and left with four for 52 yards.
It wasn’t only the fourth-year tight end who was putting in the work. Johnson, the second-year 6-foot-6, 260-pound behemoth, also had himself a day. He entered the game with two career touchdowns, and by halftime, he’d already matched them. He finished with six receptions for 33 yards and two touchdowns. Now, if only they could produce for all 60 minutes.
He needs to take better care of the football
There’s no denying that his fumble in the third quarter was unacceptable. The rookie was caught scrambling in the pocket before escaping, with a hit from defensive end Cam Jordan awaiting him. In a moment of “holy smokes, that’s Cam Jordan,” the 22-year-old just let go of the football, leading to a Saints turnover.
Sure, that was terrible. But his second turnover might have been worse. Trying to make a play on fourth down in the fourth quarter, he tried to do too much, rolling out to his right, throwing off his back foot to lob a duck right into cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry’s arms for the interception.
But wait! There’s more. Dart turned the ball over for the third time, late in the fourth, throwing another interception to McKinstry. That’s a nightmare.
Consider this his official “welcome to the NFL” game. Be a goldfish. Move on.
He'll have to put two halves together
For some reason, his second half looked nothing like his first half. Yes, the two turnovers look bad, but solely focusing on those doesn’t do it justice — he just looked off coming out of halftime. Whatever the reason was, he never recovered, and it ultimately did the Giants in. They’ll need him to play all 60 minutes if they’re going to ever be taken seriously. This was a bad loss to a previously winless Saints team.