Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for 111 yards and a touchdown and ran for 54 yards and another score to lead the New York Giants to a 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
The Giants improved to 1-3 with the win in Week 4 at MetLife Stadium. Dart, a first-round draft pick from Ole Miss, made his first NFL start after coach Brian Daboll benched veteran Russell Wilson earlier in the week.
Dart completed 13 of 20 passes. He threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Theo Johnson in the second quarter and ran 8 yards for a score in the fourth quarter that gave New York a 21-15 lead.
After the game, Dart praised Wilson, who served as the backup. "I want to give a big shoutout to Russell Wilson. I know this week probably wasn’t the easiest thing but he handled it like a professional. Have a ton of respect for him," Dart said.
Daboll said Dart made solid decisions against a Chargers defense that entered the game 3-0. "It wasn't perfect, didn't expect it to be in this first game," Daboll said. "Thought he made good decisions, that we ran the ball well."
Daboll confirmed Dart will start next week against the Buffalo Bills. Wilson, who signed with the Giants in the offseason, had gone 0-3 as the starter. The Giants declined further comment on Wilson's role.