Week 4 was a bittersweet one for the New York Giants. While they did claim their first win of the season behind rookie Jaxson Dart, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 21-18, they also saw their top offensive weapon go down for the year in Malik Nabers.
In Week 5, Dart's flashes of stardom continued — but the Giants couldn't pull out a win, falling 26-14 to the New Orleans Saints.
Still, the rookie quarterback remained electric, especially in the first half, despite not having his top wide receiver in Nabers. Dart posted over 50 rushing yards and 200 passing yards, albeit with a few turnovers in his second NFL start.
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Here's how Dart continued to emerge for the Giants despite the loss, with tight end Theo Johnson becoming his top red-zone target.
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Jaxson Dart stats today vs. Saints
- Completions/Attempts: 26/40
- Completion Percentage: 65.0%
- AVG: 5.1
- Passing TDs: 2
- INTs: 2
- Rating: 73.1
- Rushing Yards: 55
- Rushing TDs: 0
In Week 4, when he took over for Russell Wilson as the Giants' QB1, Dart flashed his two-way skills by throwing for 111 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another 54 yards and a touchdown. That dynamic ability continued to shine against the Saints, primarily in the first half.
The 22-year-old had completed 11 of his 16 passes by halftime, leading a pair of touchdown drives. While the Giants found themselves trailing, partially due to a long Rashid Shaheed touchdown for New Orleans, Dart continued to live up to his hype.
On just four carries, Dart was the Giants leading rusher over Cam Skattebo (seven carries, 35 yards). With Nabers absent, the tight ends took over in the passing game for the Giants, with five receptions between Daniel Bellinger and Johnson.
Things changed dramatically for Dart in the second half, though. He didn't find the end zone again, throwing his first two NFL interceptions.
After cruising in the first two quarters, Dart struggled against New Orleans' defense in the following two quarters.
JAXSON DART INTERCEPTED AGAIN!
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 5, 2025
IT'S KOOL-AID SZN!!!!!
📺CBS pic.twitter.com/VjGehi8snx
MORE: How long will Malik Nabers be out?
Theo Johnson stats today vs. Saints
- Targets: 7
- Receptions: 6
- Yards: 33
- AVG: 5.5
- TDs: 2
Johnson tied for the Giants' lead in targets (7) with running back Cam Skattebo and wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson. Only Skattebo (45) and Daniel Bellinger (52) had more receiving yards than Johnson in the Giants' first game without Malik Nabers.
Perhaps more importantly, Johnson, a second-year tight end, matched his entire career total with two touchdowns against New Orleans. He was clearly a go-to weapon for Dart in the red zone for the second-straight week.
On New York's opening drive, Dart found Johnson wide-open in the end zone for a one-yard touchdown.
Another week, another Jaxson Dart opening drive TD 🎯
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
NYGvsNO on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/CEJuXypf96
Johnson's second touchdown was a bit tougher, as he held onto the ball from 15 yards out with two Saints defenders in the area.
JAXSON DART'S SECOND TD PASS OF THE FIRST HALF 🎯
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
NYGvsNO on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/niBlTC0C5q
The Giants' 2024 fourth-round pick, Johnson has worked his way up to the top of the team's depth chart. He totaled 331 receiving yards and one touchdown in 2024 as a rookie, but Johnson already appears to be one of Dart's favorite targets.
In Week 4, Dart found Johnson for his first touchdown of the season. The pair followed it up with another two scores in Week 5, building rapport that's much-needed for Brian Daboll's offense right now as Nabers sits out the rest of 2025.