Takeaways from the Giants’ 21-18 win over the Chargers:
1. If you want to be all geeked up about Jaxson Dart, go right ahead. Given what has gone down with this franchise for far too long, seeing a rookie quarterback in his first NFL start is worth some excitement and optimism. Here is a warning, though: The kid has to protect himself. He took a pounding in this game and was limping around afterward with some sort of issue with his hamstring. He had to spend time in the medical tent to get checked out for a possible concussion — he was quickly cleared. He runs with abandon and drops his shoulder when he feels contact around him. This is all tough, aggressive and commendable stuff. What Dart should do is spend some time this week with Eli Manning, who did not play with such abandon and was one of the NFL’s great quarterbacks from a dependability and availability standpoint.
2. Second-year cornerback Dru Phillips had a strong game two weeks ago in Dallas, coming up with the first interception for the Giants. Phillips did not have a strong game last week against the Chiefs, as a critical pass-interference penalty led to a Kansas City touchdown. Phillips is a tough, competitive guy and he does not back down. He rebounded in a big way with an interception he returned 56 yards to the Chargers 3-yard line, setting up a Giants touchdown. Phillips is 23 years old and, moving forward, he is part of the solution.
3. Cam Skattebo is an exciting rookie running back, but the loss of Tyrone Tracy Jr. is felt. Skattebo needed to score on a run from the Chargers 7-yard line early in the second quarter, as a hole opened wide on the left side and Skattebo was one-on-one with cornerback Cam Hart. Skattebo tried to vault over Hart but failed to get high enough and Hart dragged him down on the 3-yard line after a 4-yard gain. Not quite good enough there. Skattebo is as tough as they come, but he averaged only 3.2 yards on his 25 rushing attempts.
