Aug 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) warms up prior to a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
The NFL has never seen a season opener quite like the one New York Giants sophomore quarterback Jaxson Dart delivered in Week 1.
Jaxson Dart is the first QB in NFL history to have a season opener with:
3+ passing TDs
50+ rushing yards
130.0+ passer rating pic.twitter.com/b51EooKmoM
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 14, 2026
Dart became the first quarterback in league history to throw for three or more passing touchdowns, rush for 50 or more yards, and post a 130.0 passer rating in a season opener — a combination that had eluded every quarterback before him.
MORE: Matthew Stafford, Drake Maye make NFL history & not in a good way
A dominant debut performance
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) walks off the field at halftime during a preseason opening game between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Dart’s stat line spoke for itself. The 23-year-old completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts for 230 yards and three touchdowns, adding 54 rushing yards on the ground as the Giants topped the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 in Week 1. He didn’t turn the ball over once, finishing the night without an interception despite being sacked twice. It was a complete showing from a young quarterback who is only entering his second year in the league, and it instantly put his name in the record books.
Dart’s rookie season last year hinted at this kind of dual-threat potential. He threw for more than 2,000 yards across 14 games, tallying 15 passing touchdowns to go along with nine rushing scores. Sunday night’s performance suggests he may be ready to build on that foundation in a much bigger way this season.
MORE: Map of who USA is rooting for to win Super Bowl LXI
A milestone win for the Giants
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) high fives his teammates during a preseason opening game between the New York Giants
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) high fives his teammates during a preseason opening game between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The victory carried extra significance for New York beyond Dart’s individual achievement. It marked just the second time in the last 10 years that the Giants have won their season opener, and only their third win against the Cowboys in their last 19 meetings. The game also served as the coaching debut for John Harbaugh, who takes over as New York’s head coach after 18 seasons leading the Baltimore Ravens, a tenure that included a Super Bowl XLVII championship in February 2013.
With a signature win and a historic performance from their young quarterback now in hand, the Giants will look to carry that momentum into Week 2, when they travel to face the Los Angeles Rams next Monday.
– Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter –