The voices clamoring for the Giants to make a quarterback change weren't appeased last week, but it sure didn't take long for the players and coaching staff to hear a new round of complaints directed toward the subject.
A primetime home opener didn't at all inspire the Giants' seemingly-improved offense on Sunday night. Early injuries to key players, constant pressure in the trenches, and questionable play-calling allowed the vulnerable Chiefs to leave MetLife Stadium comfortably with a 22-9 win.
From start to finish, the Giants barely posed a threat. Russell Wilson, who threw for a whopping 450 yards in their Week 2 loss to the Cowboys, was held to just 160 yards and 18 completions on 32 attempts. He also connected on some passes to the Chiefs — a pair of second-quarter interceptions.
What prompted extra boos from the crowd was the utilization of rookie backup Jaxson Dart, who registered a few snaps in between drives and was only asked to scramble.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll was asked about the quarterback situation after the game, and whether a change from Wilson to Dart could come as soon as next weekend. While he refused to answer the question, he did acknowledge that the on-field product warranted the jeers.
"We fell short offensively. We ran the ball much better, but our passing game wasn't good enough," Daboll said. "That's about it, not good enough… I'd be booing too, to be honest with you, in terms of not being good enough. Not scoring, not finishing. I understand that. That's the nature of it."
There were clear chants of "We want Dart" from the crowd when Wilson subbed back in from his couple of breathers, but the rookie quarterback didn't pay any attention to the noise. Dart focused on his responsibilities, and regardless of what his role looks like next week, he'll be up to the task.
"I feel for a lot of guys in the locker room," Dart said. "I'm confident in this group — the coaches, the players around us to be prepared each and every week. We're going to figure things out. Whatever role is offered to every guy on this team, we're going to do our jobs to stay together."
While the Giants managed to keep the score close for much of the night with some bend-not-break defense, the inadequate gameplan and lack of rhythm on offense dug them into their first 0-3 hole since 2021.
What was the plan for Malik Nabers, seriously?
It was no surprise to see the Chiefs' defense — guided by mastermind coordinator Steve Spagnuolo — stymie the superstar receiver with intense pressure, but the frustrations stemmed from the Giants' failure to get him involved in any capacity.
Somehow, someway, Nabers logged his first reception — a four-yard curl route grab — at the 14:40 mark of the fourth quarter. He finished the game with seven targets, but he only caught one other ball for an additional nine yards. That's it.
Injury was nearly added to insult, too. Just seconds after the four-yard catch, Nabers collided with defenders in the end zone on a deep shot from Wilson and appeared seriously hurt. He got up under his own power moments later, but required evalution in the blue medical tent before returning.
"They just did a good job covering for the most part," Wilson said of the Chiefs' scheme. "Obviously, we always want to try to find ways to get [Nabers] the football. I tried to take a shot in the red zone, they made a play… There's moments in the game that we're trying to find him. He's a tremendous football player. Obviously we love what he's capable of."
Daboll stated the obvious on Nabers' insignificant role: "We've got to do a better job with that, no question about it."
Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Graham Gano battling injuries
The Giants couldn't complete the first quarter without sharing disconcerting injury news. Graham Gano was announced as questionable moments after kickoff due to a groin issue suffered in warmups, and starting running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. hurt his right shoulder on a hard collision with defenders along the sideline.
Gano's groin pull wasn't severe enough — he ultimately returned to action early in the fourth quarter and drilled a 25-yard field goal — but the veteran kicker revealed that he felt "a lot of pain" and only wanted to push through on short-yardage tries. The Giants have a kicker problem, again.
As for Tracy — who was also initially listed as questionable — he was later ruled out and appeared to be wearing a sling on the sideline before the game ended. The severity of the injury wasn't clarified by Daboll.
The incident occured on a 2nd-and-8 play near midfield, with Tracy as the recipient of a check-down pass to the left from Wilson. After catching the ball, Tracy ran for three yards and then took a grueling hit from Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson.
Tracy stayed down on the Chiefs' side of the field for a few moments after the tackle. And while he got up on his own, he walked back over to the Giants' side grimacing, with the trainer supporting his right arm. He was on the field for the Giants' first two snaps, and finished with 29 yards on seven carries.
Cam Skattebo thrived with an increased workload
The rookie running back entered Sunday knowing that he'd see more action in the backfield, but the injury to Tracy created greater opportunity that he seized.
With poise and physicality, Skattebo rushed for 60 yards on 10 attempts and added 61 receiving yards on a team-high six catches and eight targets. He also scored the Giants' lone touchdown — a 13-yard scamper that knotted the game at 6-6 with 1:44 left in the second quarter.
Skattebo produced three explosive runs (10-plus yards) and forced seven missed tackles, according to the NFL's Next Gen Stats. In the Giants' first two games, they combined to force only three missed tackles.
So, if Tracy does miss any future game action, the Giants have a reliable Plan B. Skattebo changes the tempo and provides much-needed energy.
"Cam's a tough competitor," Daboll said. "I thought he ran hard, did a good job in the passing game when he got the ball in his hands. A good young player… We'll see where Tracy's at. I have confidence in Skatt, though."
Andrew Thomas returned… but on a snap count
The Giants' star offensive tackle made his anticipated 2025 debut against the Chiefs, and his steady impact on the left side of the line was visible. But his first taste of game action since Week 6 of last season came with preestablished restrictions.
Thomas watched the second half from the sideline, and Daboll revealed postgame that the former second-team All-Pro was on a 25-play snap count. His body responded fine to the work, according to Daboll — the Giants can't afford to risk reaggravating his Lisfranc injury that took so long to heal.
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