Picture this: a fresh-faced rookie quarterback bursting onto the NFL scene, turning heads and etching his name alongside all-time greats like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson in just his first three games. That's the electrifying story of Jaxson Dart, who's got New York Giants supporters dreaming big after their thrilling 34-17 upset over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.
If you're new to football, let me break it down – an 'opening-drive touchdown' means scoring on the very first possession of the game, which sets an aggressive tone right from the kickoff. According to NFL records, Dart has now joined an exclusive club: he's only the second quarterback since 1991, alongside Mahomes, to pull off this feat in each of his initial three career starts. It's the kind of stat that screams potential and has fans buzzing with excitement.
But Dart didn't stop there. He also matched the impressive rushing prowess of Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts, becoming one of just three signal-callers in the Super Bowl era (that's post-1966, when the big game really took shape) to rack up at least 50 yards on the ground in every one of their first three outings. And get this – he's the very first rookie QB to topple a reigning Super Bowl MVP (that's Hurts from the Eagles' recent championship run) within those early games. For beginners, think of the MVP as the league's top player vote; beating that guy as a newbie? That's huge.
Now, in the bigger picture, these numbers are fun flashpoints, but they don't guarantee Dart will be a superstar for years to come. After all, who even tracks obscure rookie matchups against MVP defenders in high-stakes primetime games? It's niche stuff that highlights his hot start without predicting the future. And this is the part most people miss: early success can be fleeting in the NFL's brutal grind.
What makes Dart's opening-drive touchdowns stand out is how differently he's achieving them compared to Mahomes' days with the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes kicked off his streak in a low-pressure spot start during Week 17 of 2017, stepping in for Alex Smith after the Chiefs had locked up a playoff spot – no real stakes there. He extended it over four straight games bridging the 2017 season finale and the first three of 2018, often relying on his cannon arm and precise passing to carve up defenses.
Dart, on the other hand, has thrived by keeping opponents guessing with his legs. Coming out of Ole Miss, scouts praised him as an athletic standout who could make things happen on the run – check out this detailed scouting report for more on his dual-threat skills (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10142256-jaxson-dart-nfl-draft-2025-scouting-report-for-ole-miss-qb). The Giants have smartly played to his strengths, handing him the ball on designed runs and scrambles. In his three starts, he's already churned out 30 carries for 167 yards and two scores, including a gutsy 19-yard scamper for a touchdown against the Eagles that had the crowd roaring. For context, scrambling means improvising when the pass protection breaks down, turning potential sacks into big gains – a skill that's revolutionized modern quarterbacking.
This mobile approach echoes how the Baltimore Ravens unleashed Lamar Jackson late in 2018. They eased him into the starting role by emphasizing his running game, giving him breathing room to grow as a passer. Jackson averaged at least 11 rushes per game in his first seven starts as a rookie, much like Dart's aggressive usage now. It's a patient strategy that builds confidence, but it comes with risks like injuries from all that pounding.
But here's where it gets controversial: is leaning so hard on a young QB's rushing ability a smart long-term plan, or does it set him up for burnout before he masters the passing game? Dart has miles to travel before truly stacking up against icons like Mahomes or Jackson, whose careers exploded into MVP territory. Still, Giants fans have endured years of quarterback mediocrity – think endless interceptions and lost seasons – so why not savor this spark of hope while it shines? It's a rare treat in a franchise that's been hungry for it.
What do you think – can Dart keep the momentum going and avoid the sophomore slump that traps so many rookies, or is this just the honeymoon phase? Drop your takes in the comments; I'd love to hear if you're all-in on the hype or taking a wait-and-see approach.
