The New York Giants kicked off their preseason with a tough 13-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but let’s be real, a lot of that went out the window when rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields snagged a 15-yard touchdown from Jaxson Dart. That play was pure fireworks, showing off the size, athleticism, and strong hands we’ve all been hearing about. Fields wrapped up the game with three catches for 34 yards, making a serious case for himself. Dart, after taking a sack and even a brief trip to concussion protocol, came right back out to deliver that dime. Talk about resilience!
Who Stepped Up Big Time
Beyond Fields, a few other guys really flashed. Sixth-round pick Jack Kelly was seriously impressive, logging a team-high five tackles. He’s been solid all summer, and Saturday proved it. He was even a huge part of the reason Darius Alexander got his sack, walking the running back right into him. Alexander, a second-year player, showed off his pass-rushing skills with that sack, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit. Chauncey Golston, a versatile backup edge defender, chipped in with a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits in limited action.
On special teams, Braxton Berrios looked like he’s locking up a roster spot. He was the first punt returner, part of the first kickoff return group, and had two 15-yard punt returns plus a 9-yard catch. If he stays healthy, he’s in. New tight end Isaiah Likely also showed some chemistry with Dart, grabbing two third-down catches for first downs, totaling 11 yards. Even Odell Beckham Jr. made a brief appearance with two catches for six yards. Just seeing him back in a Giants uniform at MetLife was pretty cool, gotta admit.
That Familiar Defensive Struggle
Now, for the part that’s gonna sting. The first-half run defense. This has been an issue for years, and even though Harbaugh has made fixing it a major emphasis, it still looked rough. Giving up 5.2 yards per carry, with 62 yards on 12 rushes in the first half? Yikes. Sure, the Giants were missing front seven starters D.J. Reader, Shelby Harris, Brian Burns, and Tremaine Edmunds, but you can’t just shrug that off. It’s a fundamental problem that needs to get fixed.
Even with the loss, seeing guys like Fields and Kelly step up big in their first game is huge for the Giants. That offensive connection between Dart and Fields, plus the third-down reliability from Likely? It’s exactly the kind of early season pop you want to see. Now, if they can just sort out that run defense while the key starters heal up, this team has something to build on. It’s early, but there are definitely bright spots to watch as the preseason rolls on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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