As the winless New York Giants prepare to face the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, all eyes are naturally drawn to the offense, especially with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart making his first start.
Questions are aplenty about how quickly Dart can adjust to the NFL game, handle pre-snap reads, and manage the pace of a pro offense. But in a matchup against a high-powered Chargers attack, it could be the defense — and one corner in particular — that has the biggest chance to flip the game on its head.
A young corner that'll be tasked with countering some of the Chargers’ most dangerous pass-catchers, the onus on Dru Phillips to not only meet, but exceed performance expectations remains paramount for head coach Brian Daboll.
Dru Phillips gives Giants edge in Week 4 matchup vs Chargers
He'll have moments where he directly matches up against the likes of Ladd McConkey and veteran Keenan Allen, and each pass-catcher presents a different unique challenge: McConkey is an explosive vertical threat with the ability to make defenders miss after the catch, while Allen is a precise route-runner who thrives in timing-based concepts and short-to-intermediate patterns as a wily vet.
For Phillips, his ability to read, react, and disrupt timing in the shallow areas will be critical, especially as Los Angeles creeps towards the red zone.
Beyond his individual matchups, Phillips embodies the broader role the Giants secondary will need to play. With an offense in transition under a rookie quarterback, the defense will be under pressure to keep the game competitive and limit big plays.
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This means forcing third-and-long situations, breaking up passes in critical moments, and generating turnovers when opportunities arise. If Phillips can hold up against elite route combinations and prevent the Chargers from gaining easy yards, he’ll effectively give Dart and the offense a chance to find rhythm without being forced into high-pressure situations early.
The Chargers’ offense, with its blend of speed, route diversity, and veteran savvy, will test every element of New York’s coverage schemes. Players like Phillips will need to communicate effectively, recognize route combinations, and maintain discipline in coverage — particularly when tasked with shadowing top targets. A strong showing from Phillips could swing field position, create critical turnovers, and even alter the Chargers’ play-calling approach, forcing them to account for his presence.
In short, while much of the attention will focus on Dart’s first start, the Giants’ defensive backfield could hold the key to New York keeping things close as the second half arrives.