The New York Giants secured a 31-12 victory over the New York Jets on Saturday night, moving their preseason record to 2-0. This marks the second consecutive game in which the Giants’ offense has surpassed 30 points, a notable change from previous seasons where high-scoring games were rare.
Head coach Brian Daboll addressed reporters after the win, with quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart, as well as outside linebacker Abdul Carter, also speaking to the media.
The Giants’ offense has shown improvement this preseason. Last season, they did not reach the 30-point mark until Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts. In contrast, this year’s team posted 396 total yards against Buffalo in their opener and followed up with 478 yards versus the Jets.
Daboll attributed part of this success to playing his starting offense during preseason games—something he had not done in previous years—and highlighted veteran quarterback Russell Wilson’s impact on the team. Wilson’s experience has reportedly helped simplify offensive communication and execution for teammates.
“I think clarity equals confidence,” Wilson said after the win. “I think confidence equals success. I think a lot of times in this game there’s so much terminology, there’s so much this and that, and I think as a veteran, as a leader, as a guy who’s played a lot of ball, I think the quarterback-receiver, quarterback-o-line, the quarterback-running back, all the tight ends, we’re all working every day to be our best daily. And I think a lot of that is just communication, the coaching staff does a great job.
“I think (assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike Kafka) is doing a great job of leading us. I think Dabs does a great job too. I think (quarterbacks coach) Shea (Tierney) in our quarterback room. We have great communication and just I think all of it becomes the passion and obsession with the game. I think we’ve got one of the best offensive line coaches in (offensive line coach) Carm(en Bricillo) in terms of how he teaches the game and so we’re just all communicating at a high level. That’s what makes this game fun and when you can put the pieces together and then to do it on the field and to do it in practice and continue to be constantly on that quest for knowledge and constant quest and searching for more, that’s the fun part. So, I think it’s a great blessing to lead a great group of guys.”
Wilson played four drives against the Jets and connected with wide receiver Beaux Collins on an 80-yard pass that reached down to the one-yard line.
“What a great ball by Russ, right?,” Daboll said to the media. “Eighty-yard bomb, dropped it in the bucket. Great protection by the offensive line off an action pass. Really just great vision by Russ to lay it up there and we were an inch short, whatever it was.”
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart continued his strong preseason showing with another solid performance: completing 14 out of 16 passes for 137 yards with one touchdown through air plus another rushing score.
“He’s still got a lot to learn but he’s growing every day,” said Daboll about Dart’s progress since being drafted in this year’s first round.”Like I said, that’s why we drafted him… He’s done a good job for us since he’s been here in every area you could do… but it’s early…he’s making strides everyday…”
Dart described being surprised when Daboll substituted him into Saturday’s game unexpectedly during an ongoing drive led by Wilson—a scenario designed by Daboll as preparation for unpredictable moments.
“I was like ‘Serious?’ He was like ‘Yeah.’ …He is making up scenarios where you never know when your number is going to be called…” Dart said.
Despite positive signs from Dart during preseason games—markedly efficient performances—Daboll made clear that Wilson remains their starting quarterback.
“Russ is our starter and we’re going to keep developing Jaxson…” Daboll stated.”We have plan… It’s specific…we just have to keep working with him…”
Saturday marked both Wilson’s first home appearance at MetLife Stadium as Giant—and Dart’s debut before home fans—as several new additions experienced playing before local supporters for first time since joining roster during offseason.
“Just to be back in this stadium – this stadium means a lot to me…” Wilson said.”I remember pulling up…to remind myself that I’ve been here before…that feeling of winning Super Bowl then put on blue & white …is tremendous honor…”
Dart also expressed excitement about performing at MetLife Stadium: “It was sick…Going out there warmups seeing stadium before filled up then feeling energy crowd come in…”
The Giants’ offensive line contributed significantly over two games: allowing only two sacks across 89 pass attempts while helping generate more than 65 points combined thus far this preseason—despite injuries sidelining key players such as left tackle Andrew Thomas who continues rehabbing from last year’s foot surgery but reportedly improves daily under team supervision.
Among linemen praised was rookie Marcus Mbow who handled both tackle positions without surrendering any sacks through two contests; Evan Neal debuted at guard after shifting inside from tackle—a move watched closely throughout offseason—with positive initial results according Pro Football Focus metrics cited postgame by Daboll:
“He got some movement in run game did his assignments…(It was his) first game there played over thirty plays so we’ll get him some more work upcoming week,” Daboll commented regarding Neal’s adjustment process.
