The Giants cope with Jaxson Dart's absence thanks to experience of a “psychopath”
New York endured one of its toughest weeks of the season and still found a way to win
The most revealing part of the New York Giants ’ week wasn't the scoreboard, it was the way they handled everything that came before it.
New York returned from its Monday night loss to the Los Angeles Rams early Tuesday morning, then learned only hours later that starting quarterback Jaxson Dart was likely done for the season.
With little time to recover physically or emotionally, the Giants were suddenly preparing for another game without the player around whom much of the offense had been built.
John Harbaugh ’s response was simple: acknowledge the disappointment, then move on.
“The team was upset because Jaxson is our leader and everybody wants to see him out there and playing. He cares so much,” safety Jevon Holland said.
“Harbs summed it up when he said he woke up Tuesday and he heard that Jaxson wasn’t gonna be playing, he was out for the season, and it sucked, like it’s the end of the world.
"And then you wake up on Wednesday and you have to still do your job. And that's the reality of the situation.”
By Sunday, the Giants had done exactly that.
Message already shaping the Giants
The 12-7 win over Tennessee wasn't especially pretty, but it hardly needed to be. Jameis Winston did enough at quarterback, Cam Skattebo produced 100 yards from scrimmage and the defense carried much of the burden.
Rookie Arvell Reese emerged as one of the standouts, while Holland sealed the result with an interception of Cam Ward in the end zone with 17 seconds remaining. The victory mattered because of the circumstances.
New York had barely had time to reset after Monday night, yet the team found a way to survive a difficult game in poor weather and protect a narrow lead. Holland believes that resilience is already an extension of Harbaugh .
“Everything is a testament to Harbaugh,” he said. “A team takes the personality of the coach, and Harbs is a calm … he’s a calm psycho.”
That captures the balance Harbaugh has tried to establish, with composure without complacency.
“I mean, he loves the game, and he explains the game and the mindset for the game in such a unique way, but so clear to the fellas that we’re able to tangibly apply the things that he wants us to do,” Holland added.
“It’s building this football war machine, so that no matter what the circumstances are, we’re able to come out on top.”
Giants now face longer test without Dart
The challenge becomes more complicated from here. New York has already moved to strengthen the quarterback room by acquiring J.J. McCarthy from Minnesota, giving Harbaugh another option behind Winston while Dart recovers.
McCarthy arrives with obvious intrigue after previously enjoying his best football at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh , John’s brother. Whether that connection can help revive the former first-round pick remains to be seen. Winston , however, remains the starter.
“All the other conversation isn’t going to help us beat the Cardinals. So it’s irrelevant,” Harbaugh said. “Jameis will be the starter for as long as I can see into the future.”
One narrow win in September doesn't define a season, but the Titans game offered something the Giants have often lacked in difficult moments: stability.
That may be the clearest sign yet that Harbaugh ’s personality is beginning to take hold.
