Three Giants takeaways from their preseason win over the Jets

Jaxson Dart had what might have been the same reaction as Giants fans when coach Brian Daboll told him he was going in for Russell Wilson during a second-quarter drive Saturday.

“I was like, serious?” Dart said. “He was like, ‘Yeah.’ I was like, all right. I didn’t know I was gonna go in for one play and come back out.”

Daboll had previewed it during training camp, but it was the only time Dart was caught off guard during his second stellar preseason game. The rookie wasn’t flustered, throwing a quick sidearm pass to Theo Johnson that went for a 30-yard gain.

Dart wound up completing his final 13 passes to seven different receivers.

Here are three takeaways from the Giants’ second preseason win.

1. There’s no quarterback controversy — yet

Dart’s stats in his first two games have been impressive. He’s 26-for-35 for 291 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions, plus a rushing touchdown. He’s looked poised under pressure, has made mostly good decisions and hasn’t seemed overwhelmed.

Of course, Dart mostly has done this against backups, aside from his first drive against the Bills. Wilson led a 93-yard opening scoring drive Saturday, but the offense — with Malik Nabers sidelined — punted on his next three drives after failing to gain much ground.

Perhaps it’s why Daboll made it clear that Wilson will lead the team in the season opener.

“Russ is our starter and we’re going to keep developing Jaxson,” he said.

Dart’s great play should have fans excited, but they shouldn’t be unrealistic. He’s not playing in September or even early October unless Wilson looks awful or gets hurt. But Dart has shown that the Giants made a smart investment by moving up to draft him in the first round.

It’s hard to believe Dart won’t play meaningful reps this season, but it shouldn’t be rushed. It would be helpful for Dart if he got more first-team reps, but Wilson also needs reps to develop chemistry and be ready for Week 1.

2. The offense badly needs Nabers

The Giants were reminded how handcuffed the offense is without its star receiver. Wilson’s first pass was an 80-yard beauty to Beaux Collins that went to the Jets’ 1-yard line. After Devin Singletary scored two plays later, the first-team offense mustered 80 yards total on its next three drives and went 0-for-3 on third-down conversions in the first half.

Wilson’s last pass was an interception; he and Collins miscommunicated on a route and Jets cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers made an easy takeaway.

That play and the offense stalling again showed how important Nabers is. He didn’t practice last week, and given that Daboll is cagey about revealing injuries, it’s tough to say if he’ll be ready by Thursday’s preseason finale against the Patriots.

Without him, this offense might be quick strike but inconsistent. On the play in which Collins was tackled at the 1, it’s easy to see Nabers finishing it with a touchdown. He’ll also draw attention and free his fellow receivers for targets.

Wilson led five drives in two games, two of them scoring drives, but it’s hard to see how good this offense can be without Nabers taking game reps. For now, give the first-team unit an incomplete with hope that Wilson’s good plays are signs of things to come with a healthy Nabers.

3. Defense shined, but one minor concern

There was much to love from the first-team defense on three series. It forced punts on two drives and put constant pressure on Jets quarterback Justin Fields.

On third-and-6 on the starters’ final series, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter broke free to force Adrian Martinez into an incompletion. That sequence should please Giants fans, who are expecting a lot from a pass rush that also includes Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence.

Lawrence didn’t play Saturday and his presence was missed against the run. The Jets ran for 59 yards in the first quarter with the Giants’ starters in and finished with 141 rushing yards.

It’s a mild concern for a run defense that must improve. It’s less of a worry when Lawrence is healthy. It was the only low spot on a strong night as the Giants held the Jets to one touchdown and Makari Paige had an interception.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.