Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart ran for a 15-yard touchdown on the opening drive of his first career start and the New York Giants finished off a 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at East Rutherford, N.J.
Dart was 13-of-20 passing for 111 yards and another touchdown as the Giants (1-3) won for the first time after turning away from veteran QB Russell Wilson, who started the first three games.
Dart had 54 yards rushing while rookie Cam Scattebo added 79 yards on the ground.
New York cornerback Andru Phillips and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence each returned interceptions inside the Chargers’ 5-yard line that the Giants turned into 11 points.
Justin Herbert was 23-of-41 passing with a season-low 203 yards for the Chargers. His two interceptions came after he entered with one on the season. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton ran for 128 yards and a touchdown for Los Angeles (3-1).
The Giants lost wide receiver Malik Nabers in the second quarter to a reported ACL tear, while the Chargers lost left tackle Joe Alt to a reported high ankle sprain in the first quarter.
Dart moved the Giants 89 yards in nine plays on the first drive of the game, scoring on a 15-yard run up the middle on first down.
After Lawrence intercepted Herbert at the line and returned the ball to the Chargers’ 3-yard line, New York failed to find the end zone but took a 10-0 lead on a 22-yard field goal from Jude McAtamney.
After the teams traded second-quarter field goals, the Chargers pulled within 13-10 on a 36-yard TD pass from Herbert to Quentin Johnston (eight receptions, 98 yards) with 27 seconds remaining in the first half.
Phillips gave New York the ball at the Chargers’ 3-yard line with 3:33 remaining in the third quarter, then the Giants scored two plays later on Dart’s 3-yard shovel pass to Theo Johnson and built a 21-10 advantage following a 2-point conversion.
The Chargers answered three plays later when Hampton ran for a 54-yard TD, while Herbert ran for the 2-point conversion, to bring Los Angeles within 21-18.
The Giants had the ball at the Chargers’ 4-yard line with 7:51 remaining but turned it over on downs. New York’s defense forced a punt and the offense took over with 2:52 remaining, while the offense ran off all but the final 18 seconds.
–Field Level Media
