Through four starts, Dart has looked well-equipped to handle the rigors of the NFL. He is 2-2 as a starter, has completed 60.2 percent of his passes, has a 7-3 TD-INT ratio and an 89.3 passer rating and has added 178 rushing yards and three scores on the ground to his stat line. He’s done it while playing against three quality opponents in the Chargers, Eagles and Broncos, and no one has overpowered him.
The unfriendly confines of Lincoln Financial Field, however, are a different beast.
“You know you’ve got to stay close to your brothers in the locker room, just stay as tight as a group because the team and this fan base, they’re going to get a little bit antsy on the sidelines,” tight end Daniel Bellinger said, via the New York Post . “I would tell him: Listen, focus on yourself, focus on the team and stick together and don’t worry about outside noise.”
The Giants heard plenty of noise well before selecting Dart with the first pick in April, but since trading Russell Wilson for Dart, they’ve largely tuned it out. They also have bragging rights over the Eagles, adding to the animosity that awaits them in Philadelphia.
Fortunately, the Dart seems built for the challenge. He’s usually a confident rookie with the stats to match, and if he were to lead the Giants to the postseason at the rival Eagles, he’d be a hero in New York.
The rookie will look to add another memorable chapter to his fledgling professional career with a win on Sunday.