Giants vs Patriots: Jaxson Dart's Return

The Giants head into Foxborough to take on the surging New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. Although 2-10, they have played close with better teams of late but haven't been able to finish. Their previous three games against the Bears, Packers, and Lions were all one-score losses with an average losing margin of 6 points. If it weren't for the fourth-quarter collapses, there is a strong possibility they could have a few more wins under their belt.

Those losses aside, there's good news to be excited about for this matchup: Jaxson Dart will be stepping back in as the Giants' starting quarterback after missing the last two weeks with a concussion. He takes his spot back from Jameis Winston, who kept the Giants competitive in the Packers and Lions games, posting 567 yards passing, two touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown, and one receiving touchdown. Mr. "Do-It-All" Winston now slides back to No. 2 on the depth chart.

Let's get to it and take a look at the Giants' offense and defense and how they match up against Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel, and the Patriots. It'll be an exciting battle between two young rookie quarterbacks.

The Offense

As I alluded to, Jaxson Dart is back. The rookie phenom picks up where he left off after missing two games with a concussion and should immediately bring a spark back to the offense. He has been eager to return, and I think it’s important to first share the video Art Stapleton posted of Dart speaking on the firing of former coach Brian Daboll. Dart hasn't spoken to the media since Daboll was fired, and I respect the leadership he showed in speaking highly of the coach who advocated for him during the 2025 draft process and who played a key role in his early development.

Dart heads into Week 13 with new head coach Mike Kafka and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly calling the shots. Since Daboll’s firing, they’ve done a good job operating the offense and were able to move the ball downfield with Jameis Winston. Dart will add more fire to the offense, which is not the problem for this team anymore. The line has been playing great, and guys like Wan'Dale Robinson, Isaiah Hodgins, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. have stepped up as key contributors in both the run and receiving games.

The Patriots are sixth in points allowed in the NFL, per Pro Football Reference, but Jaxson Dart has posted 20+ points in every start this season. When you have a dynamic quarterback it really doesn't matter what defense is being thrown at him because he will find ways to beat soft zones, take shots, or use his legs as a runner. He is a pure dual threat and can give this Patriots team fits.

The Giants offense will face a solid defense led by the mind of Mike Vrabel. His scheming, coupled with key playmakers at all levels such as Christian Barmore, Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis III, and Christian Gonzalez make for a tough match up. They’re middle-of-the-pack against the pass but excellent at stopping the run, allowing just four yards per attempt through 12 games, per Pro Football Reference. The Giants are missing Cam Skattebo, but Tyrone Tracy Jr., with Devin Singletary mixed in, has proven serviceable in the run game. Since Skattebo's Week 8 injury - coupled with Dart in and out of the lineup - the Giants have still rushed for 100+ yards in every game. There could be an opportunity here to lean on the run and the solid blocking of the line up front to open up the field a bit more.

I think there are ways Dart and the offense can beat this Patriots defense. Milton Williams was just placed on IR, a big blow for New England, and they narrowly beat a Joe Burrow–less Cincinnati Bengals team last Sunday. If the Giants stick to Dart’s strengths and Kafka continues to be aggressive, they can absolutely beat the Patriots for their first road win of the season.

The Defense

Things may look different on defense this week, as the Giants fired Shane Bowen last week - a move everyone expected after another blown fourth quarter lead in Week 12. The Giants have now fired both their head coach and defensive coordinator in a two week span. They will look to get back on track after Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions lit them up last week.

Through 12 weeks, the Giants defense ranks dead last in rushing yards allowed, opponent rushing yards per attempt, and 26th in passing yards allowed, per Pro Football Reference. They’ve blown multiple fourth quarter leads and have had no answers for the run. They have been ravaged by injuries at all levels and have missed key starters every single week. It doesn't get better for them now that Drake Maye - a guy that Joe Schoen and management were very high on and even tried to trade up for in the 2024 draft - has this offense clicking.

The Patriots have rattled off nine straight wins and Maye has been the most important piece. He has thrown for 3,000+ yards, a 21:6 TD:INT ratio, and a 71% completion percentage. That completion percentage alone is tied for first amongst qualified quarterbacks. So yeah, Maye is pretty damn good and has been very consistent all season.

Paulson Adebo will be back in the lineup looking to disrupt Maye's rhythm through the air. Adebo hasn't played since Week 7 in Denver and will look to get back on track as the Giants' No. 1 corner. He has had a down season by his standards - just four pass deflections and zero interceptions - but he’ll be anchoring the outside where he’ll need to corral the likes of Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins. It will be interesting to see how interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen deploys Adebo against the Patriots wide receivers. Adebo is a great press man corner which Shane Bowen did not lean into enough while Adebo was healthy. I’d love to see him get more chances to press the Patriots receivers and disrupt their routes early.

The Patriots will succeed if Maye has a clean pocket and time to throw. The Giants pass rush is down a man with Kayvon Thibodeaux out, and Dexter Lawrence will be playing at half strength as his elbow injury continues to flare up. The defense needs to pressure Maye as much as possible to give Adebo and the secondary a chance. There must be balance between the front and back end of the defense for the Giants to have any chance at keeping points off the board.

My hope is that the firing of Shane Bowen lights a fire under this defense and leads to a better showing against a very solid Patriots offense.

Final Thoughts

The Giants are 2–10, but could easily have a few more wins if not for questionable coaching decisions from former staff members. This team is looking forward to 2026, but with Jaxson Dart back this week, they’ll look to challenge the streaking Patriots on the road.

Dart should be back to his normal self, mixing his legs and arm to keep the Patriots defense on its toes. There’s an opportunity here for the Giants to pick up their first road win in Dart’s return.

Drake Maye looks to continue building his impressive sophomore résumé and move his team to 11–2 and in full control of the AFC East. He and Mike Vrabel are locked in, and it’s hard not to feel like the Patriots have the clear advantage heading into this matchup.

But like I always say: Anything is possible in the NFL. Upsets happen all the time, and the Giants are primed for one with their rookie quarterback back in the lineup calling the shots. This should be a fun one in the Dart vs Maye match up.