Off to their best start since 2002, the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers will face an opponent in the midst of quarterback change on Sunday when they visit rookie Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants at East Rutherford, N.J.
While the Giants (0-3) move on from Russell Wilson to Dart, the Chargers (3-0) are getting just what they want from the quarterback position behind Justin Herbert, who leads the NFL with 860 yards passing.
The Chargers also are keeping opponents in check with a defense that has allowed an average 16.7 points per game, fourth best in the NFL. The group’s 5.5 passing yards allowed per attempt is second best in the league.
Los Angeles started its season with victories over all three AFC West opponents. Now comes a cross-country flight against a somewhat unpredictable foe.
Los Angeles is coming off a 23-20 comeback victory over the Denver Broncos last weekend. Herbert threw a game-tying touchdown pass to Keenan Allen with 2:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, and Cameron Dicker drilled a 43-yard field goal on the final play of the game.
The downside of the victory was losing running back Najee Harris for the season to an Achilles injury. Rookie Omarion Hampton stepped up with 70 yards rushing and a touchdown.
The 27-year-old Herbert, who long ago secured his credentials as a franchise QB, confirmed the status further by becoming the youngest to reach 2,000 career completions. By games, he is the second fastest at 82.
“He’s the greatest,” said Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has never been shy to praise his players.
“Whatever (scenario) is happening, he’s one-of-one that I’ve ever seen at the quarterback position who’s got that talent, too ,to go with all the other (traits). He’s the fiercest.”
Dart will take his first step toward becoming an NFL mainstay while taking over for Wilson, who is with his third team in three seasons. A Pro Bowl QB last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilson completed just 59.1 percent of his passes through three games.
The change was made after Wilson threw a pair of interceptions in a 22-9 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend. Fans expressed their desire for a change with chants of “We want Dart.”
Dart has been under center for six plays in two separate games already this season but does not have a pass attempt. He has zero net yards rushing in two attempts.
“I think it will be a work in progress relative to him playing in his first game,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said. “There will be some things that he hasn’t seen. We’ll try to do the best we can for him relative to our scheme, but it’s going to take everybody. It’s going to take the offensive line, the defense, the kicking game, and he just needs to go out there and do his job.”
New York will try to rally around its young backfield, with rookie running back Cam Skattebo leading the Giants last week in both rushing (10 carries, 60 yards) and receiving (six catches, 61 yards).
On defense, the Giants have struggled with 405.3 yards allowed per game and 153.3 rushing yards per game — both 31st in the NFL. New York is allowing 27.7 points per game.
With kicker Graham Gano out with a groin injury, the Giants signed Younghoe Koo to the practice squad to compete with Jude McAtamney. Not practicing for New York on Wednesday were star wide receiver Malik Nabers (shoulder), tight end Theo Johnson (toe), defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (foot) and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (shoulder).
The Chargers were without guard Mekhi Becton (concussion), center Bradley Bozeman (back), wide receiver Deruis Davis (knee) and tight end Will Dissly (knee).
