Giants’ Jaxson Dart aces his second preseason test

It sure looks as if coach Brian Daboll is doing everything possible to elevate rookie Jaxson Dart into the backup quarterback role.

And Dart is doing everything he can to grab it.

Dart followed up a strong NFL preseason debut last week in Buffalo with a sensational showing for the Giants on Saturday night in a 31-12 victory over the Jets.

He left the field having completed his final 13 passes to six receivers, going 14-of-16 for 137 yards.

His passer rating was 123.2.

He tossed one touchdown pass and muscled into the end zone from a yard out for a rushing touchdown.

He looked completely comfortable in his first game at MetLife Stadium and the fans sounded juiced seeing him for the first time.

Daboll once again went with his starters.

Russell Wilson on first down on the fourth offensive series handed the ball to Tyrone Tracy Jr., who ran around the right side for a 12-yard gain.

And then, without warning, Wilson came out and Dart entered the game.

Dart on his first snap was asked to get the ball out of his hands quickly and he flipped a backhand shovel pass to tight end Theo Johnson, who scooted 30 yards.

Dart then was replaced by Wilson, whose night of work ended when he and rookie Beaux Collins got crossed up and Wilson lobbed the ball into the end zone and the pass was intercepted by Qwan’tez Stiggers.

The one-play cameo sure looked as if Daboll wanted to simulate a game situation where the starter (Wilson) had to come off the field for a play and the backup had to rush on without missing a beat.

There have been all sorts of trials and tests this summer for Dart, as Daboll has tried to see if the rookie can handle uncomfortable and unplanned moments.

If Dart passes enough of these tests, Daboll could go into the season having Dart as the backup quarterback and veteran Jameis Winston as the No. 3 quarterback for the beginning of the regular season.

Dart finished out the first half with the starting offensive line.

He got tripped up by Kingsley Jonathan attempting to scramble on third-and-6.

Dart had room to pick up the first down and grabbed his helmet in disgust as he hit the turf.

To start the third quarter, Dart expertly directed a nine-play, 71-yard drive, hitting Montrell Washington for 19 yards, picking up a first down on a quick toss to Dante Miller and then capping the drive by finding tight end Greg Dulcich over the middle for a 20-yard touchdown completion.

Dart on the next series continued to play pitch-and-catch with his targets.

He hit Gunner Olszewski for nine yards and his 13th consecutive completion was an 11-yarder to Juice Wells Jr., his former teammate at Ole Miss.

Dart’s quarterback sneak made it a 21-6 Giants lead.

It was not exactly a rousing outing for Wilson, as the Giants once again played without top receiver Malik Nabers.

Wilson went 4-for-7 for 108 yards, with one splash play.

Wilson from a clean pocket on the first series lofted one of his high-arching moon balls that is familiar to anyone who has seen him in action.

Collins, racing down the right side, used his long strides (he is 6-foot-3) to run past safety Andre Cisco.

Collins caught the ball in stride at the Jets 25-yard line and nearly took it all the way, as Cisco recovered to make the tackle on the 1-yard line.

Two plays later, Devin Singletary scored to make it 7-0.

The starting offense stayed out there for four series.

Wilson worked behind the usual starting offensive line (once again without left tackle Andrew Thomas) for two series and then Evan Neal replaced Greg Van Roten at right guard.

The starting defense also stayed on the field for most of the first half.

This personnel usage is a departure from what Daboll did the past two summers, when he kept his starters off the field for the bulk of the preseason action.

The Giants starters were on the field last week in Buffalo and their playing time was extended a bit in the second preseason game.

It will not be a surprise if Daboll opts to minimize the risk of injuries, with the regular season nearing, and keep his starters safely on the sideline for Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Patriots.

Why the change in thinking for Daboll?

Well, the Giants the past two years did not look ready to play when they opened their season.

They were thrashed 40-0 by the Cowboys in the 2023 opener and were offensive duds in a 28-6 loss to the Vikings in Week 1 last year.

Both games were at home and both were stinkers.

Scoring only six points — two field goals — set a terrible tone for what came next and Daboll was adamant that he would get his key players more work this preseason, hoping that it pays off Sept. 7 in Washington.