The New York Giants will play their first home preseason game at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, facing the New York Jets. The Giants are coming off a 34-25 win against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, while the Jets began their preseason with a 30-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Earlier this week, both teams participated in joint practices, with sessions held in Florham Park and East Rutherford. Coach Brian Daboll did not specify how much playing time starters would receive in the upcoming game after two days of joint practices.
Quarterback Russell Wilson played only one drive during last week’s opener but led the team into field goal range and completed six of seven passes for 28 yards. Wilson commented on his experience: “I thought we did a good job,” he said. “I thought our consistency throughout the whole game made some plays. I thought it was good to be out there, just be with the fellas and obviously to be a New York Giant, what a blessing it is to lead these guys and be a part of that. I think that every week we just want to keep getting better. It’s so funny because I think these preseason games mean so much, just being able to get out there and the culture in the locker room to pregame warmups, to the whole rhythm of how we do that and how we do that really well. And I thought we did a great job of that, even on the sideline, game on the line, just everybody was in tune.”
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart also made his NFL debut last week, completing 12 of 19 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 24 yards. His performance earned him praise from Coach Daboll: “Just about what I thought he would do,” Daboll said about Dart’s performance after the game. “Efficient, effective, aggressive, confident in the pocket. Some stuff we can work on, but he’s doing good.
“Look, there’s things he can be better at, but we missed some opportunities on third down, some drops that would have even been better for him and for us. But he’s a confident young player. He’s improved since he’s been here. Still have a long way to go, but I enjoy working with him. I like his demeanor on the sideline. He sees the game well.”
Dart expressed his approach as he continues learning: “I’m just trying to take advantage of the opportunities that I get, trying to watch the film as much as I can to go into depth and just keep learning,” Dart told reporters Wednesday.
Tight end Theo Johnson saw limited action during last week’s opener but caught both targets for ten yards from Wilson during their opening drive together—an indication of developing chemistry between them dating back to spring practice sessions.
Wilson praised Johnson’s progress: “Theo’s doing an unbelievable job of just stepping up, being confident, making plays,” Wilson said following Tuesday’s practice. “His confidence has been continually rising and his ability is just getting better and better. I think he really knows what I want him to do and he’s practicing it… If you ever notice Theo gets all this extra work on the side throughout practice… it’s communication… it’s vision… it’s feel…”
Running back Dante Miller contributed both offensively—with seven receptions for 80 yards—and on special teams by recording a solo tackle against Buffalo as he competes for a roster spot amid strong positional depth.
Coach Daboll highlighted Miller’s versatility: “He’s not just competing against running backs; it’s competing against other positions that are fighting for roster spots special teams-wise,” Daboll said Sunday. “…Special teams will be important… Turbo is firmly in that mix based on his performance… He got Player of The Game on offense for us this game…”
Offensive lineman Marcus Mbow showed flexibility by playing multiple positions along both sides of offensive line during last week’s contest—allowing only one pressure across 35 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
Dart noted Mbow’s composure under pressure: “He’s level-headed for sure… that’s one of his strengths because as a rookie you’re going to make mistakes…” Coach Daboll added: “I thought he did a good job; protected well; is athletic; knew all assignments…”
Rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter played limited snaps but registered pressures on each passing play during Buffalo’s three passing attempts while participating actively during joint practices with Jets’ offensive line units.
Carter addressed expectations around defensive unit hype: “It’s all cool but you can’t get into it too much,” Carter said about media attention surrounding Giants’ pass rush potential.” …We got to get to season and show that dominance before we can call ourselves anything.”
The Giants will continue evaluating players ahead of final roster decisions as they prepare for regular season kickoff.
