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Giants vs. Chargers score: Jaxson Dart leads New York to massive upset over Los Angeles in NFL debut

With a lot of help from the defense, the Giants took down the undefeated Chargers

By Kevin Steimle

Sep 28, 2025 at 6:40 pm ET • 1 min read

Giants coach Brian Daboll was a happy man after New York's win on Sunday. Daboll found his quarterback Jaxson Dart on the field after New York's first victory of the season and gave him a hug.

The Jaxson Dart era in New York is officially underway and got off to a winning start, as the Giants upset the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers, 21-18, on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Dart was efficient, but somewhat limited by a left hamstring injury he suffered in the first half. The bad news is the Giants may have lost star wide receiver Malik Nabers to a torn ACL. Nabers was carted off in the first half, and the fear is that he tore his left ACL.

Dart got his NFL starting QB career off to a good start with a 15-yard touchdown run on his first drive. The Giants went up-tempo in the Ole Miss product's first game.

Dart was efficient, but not spectacular, in the first half in leading the Giants to a 13-10 halftime lead (7 of 11 for 59 yards; six carries for 44 yards and a TD), but the rookie began grabbing his left hamstring to stretch it out late in the first half and was noticeably limping on the last drive before halftime as the Chargers have turned up the pressure.

Dart's first touchdown throw came on a three-yard shovel pass to tight end Theo Johnson.

"It's just a football game, that's just the best way to describe it," Dart said after the game when asked how he felt mentally and physically. "Obviously, this experience was a special one, being my first one."

Rookie Cam Skattebo ran for 79 yards on 25 carries as the Giants rushed for 161 yards on the afternoon.

For Los Angeles, Justin Herbert threw two crucial interceptions that put the Giants in good field position. He finished 23 of 41 for 203 yards passing. Dart only threw for 111, but added 54 yards on the ground with a passing and rushing touchdown. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton was a beast and rushed for 128 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown, on just 12 carries.

Giants pass rush dominates

Abdul Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux combined for 20 pressures, per NextGen stats. Carter had five quarterback hits, Burns 4 and a sack, Thibodeaux 3 and a sack. Herbert was under duress most of the day and wasn't really able to throw the ball deep downfield.

Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence also added an interception and almost took it to the house.

Major loss

New York lost Nabers in the first half with what is believed to be a torn ACL. The rest of the receivers were basically non-existent the rest of the game once Nabers left and the Chargers brought more guys on the pass rush. The Giants may need to add another pass catcher.

The Chargers suffered a huge loss, too, as left tackle Joe Alt left the game in the first quarter with a high ankle sprain.

Quotable

Lawrence says the Giants have "ballers" on their defensive line that want to dominate every game: "We put that pressure on ourselves, we want it. We embrace it, we don't shy away from it. We've got to continue to be consistent and show up every week."

"I want to give a big shoutout to Russ, I know this week probably wasn't the easiest thing but he handled it like a professional." - Jaxson Dart

Updates

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Sep 28, 2025 at 6:17 pm ET

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Sep 28, 2025 at 4:38 pm ET

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Sep 28, 2025 at 4:17 pm ET

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Giants pull off upset of Chargers

Jaxson Dart, with the help of a great defensive effort by the Giants, pulls off the upset of the previously unbeaten Chargers. Los Angeles had the ball and tried to get in field goal range, but couldn't time ran out after a catch by Quentin Johnston.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 4:13 pm ET

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Chargers get ball back with chance to tie

The Chargers will take over at their own 16, trailing, 21-18, with 18 seconds left. Cameron Dicker is one of the most accurate kickers in the league and has a strong leg.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 4:06 pm ET

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Giants looking to run out the clock

The Giants have the ball with 2:34 left in the game. First down at their own 41. The Chargers are out of timeouts.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 4:01 pm ET

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Brian Burns with big-time sack

The Chargers were driving, but Brian Burns comes up with a sack on third down to force a punt. Three minutes left in the game as the Giants look to pull off major upset.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 3:59 pm ET

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Chargers trailing, but can take lead or tie

The Giants failed to convert on fourth down inside the Chargers' 5 and now Los Angeles is driving with a chance to take the lead.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 3:28 pm ET

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Chargers answer right back

Chargers rookie Omarion Hampton takes off for a 54-yard touchdown run after Los Angeles had fallen behind by 11. Justin Herbert runs it in for a successful 2-point conversion. Giants 21, Chargers 18

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Sep 28, 2025 at 3:22 pm ET

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Dart throws first career TD pass

Jaxson Dart throws a nifty shovel pass to tight end Theo Johnson for a three-yard TD and his first career touchdown pass. The Giants started the drive from inside the Chargers' 5 after an INT from Dru Phillips. Cam Skattebo runs it in for the 2-point conversion. Giants 21, Chargers 10

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Sep 28, 2025 at 3:15 pm ET

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Injuries are taking toll

Jaxson Dart doesn't look nearly as effective after the loss of Malik Nabers and since hurting his hamstring near the end of the first half. Gotta think Chargers are going to start pulling away soon. Giants 13, Chargers 10 midway through third quarter.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 3:00 pm ET

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Sep 28, 2025 at 2:59 pm ET

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Sep 28, 2025 at 2:57 pm ET

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Dart taken out for concussion evaluation

Jaxson Dart took off on a long run negated by a penalty but took a hit and the booth buzzed in to get Dart out for an evaluation.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 2:53 pm ET

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Injury updates

Chargers tackle Joe Alt and Giants WR Malik Nabers are both ruled out for the game.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 2:35 pm ET

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Chargers find the end zone

Chargers QB Justin Herbert hits Quentin Johnston on a 36-yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds left in the first half after converting a 4th-and-2 on an offsides call on Abdul Carter.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 2:33 pm ET

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Malik Nabers injury update: Giants star WR suffered torn ACL against Chargers, placed on season-ending IR

Jordan Dajani

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Sep 28, 2025 at 2:23 pm ET

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Sep 28, 2025 at 2:12 pm ET

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Malik Nabers down in pain with knee injury

The MetLife turf claims another victim as Giants WR Malik Nabers hits the ground hard and instantly started grabbing his left knee. Looks like it happened as he was going up for a deep ball. Nabers was carted off, does not look good.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 1:57 pm ET

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Joe Alt injury update: Chargers LT carted off with ankle injury as Los Angeles continues to battle OL issues

Austin Nivison

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Sep 28, 2025 at 1:46 pm ET

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Giants take 10-0 lead, after INT

The Giants were unable to get the ball in the end zone after Dexter Lawrence's pick. Cam Skattebo brought down on a nice one-on-one tackle. Field goal makes it 10-0.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 1:40 pm ET

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Big man INT, ends huge streak for Herbert

Giants All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence tips and catches an INT off Justin Herbert and rumbles 37-yards to the Chargers 4-yard line. Herbert's 396 pass attempts without an INT on the road ends.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 1:35 pm ET

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Giants punt on Dart's second drive

Cam Skattebo doesn't play on second drive, which is a strange decision. Giants punt after converting a third down and long. Dart really has no other options than Malik Nabers, nobody else getting open. Took a deep shot to Darius Slayton but he was well covered.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 1:24 pm ET

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Joe Alt leaves with injury

Huge blow early for the Chargers as offensive tackle Joe Alt is carted to the locker room.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 1:22 pm ET

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Chargers keep drive alive

Justin Herbert scrambles for 24 yards on a third-and-18 to keep the Chargers drive alive and the Giants offense off the field.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 1:21 pm ET

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Live line

The Chargers have dropped to -1.5 on the live line at DraftKings.

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Sep 28, 2025 at 1:13 pm ET

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Jaxson Dart TD run to begin career

The Jaxson Dart era got off to a great start as the rookie QB led the Giants on an 89-yard touchdown drive. Dart finished it off with a 15-yard touchdown run. The Giants went up-tempo as expected.