
History Made: Former Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart Becomes First Rookie QB in 75 Years to Lead Giants Past Eagles

The New York Football Giants defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night, 34-17, in a win where former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart looked every bit the part of a seasoned veteran, not a rookie in just his third start.
Jaxson Dart is the first rookie QB to ever defeat a reigning Super Bowl MVP QB in primetime within his first 3 career starts ✅#NYGiants pic.twitter.com/XVIRULu4QI
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) October 10, 2025
Although the Giants move now to just 2-4, there’s a new energy and a new mentality around the team that reflects the toughness of Dart and his fellow rookie teammate, running back Cam Skattebo.
Here’s a postgame on-field interview with Dart and Skattebo.
Full Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo interview… Some absolute GOLD in here, worth the watch! pic.twitter.com/KxtHyDAnBZ
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) October 10, 2025
Jaxson Dart after playing 6 weeks of football with Cam Skattebo pic.twitter.com/4VVLR4FWZC
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) October 10, 2025
Dart and Skattebo accounted for six touchdowns versus the Eagles, using their legs and their charismatic energy to defeat Philadelphia and, frankly, give some hope to the embattled fan base.
Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo: the most exciting duo in the NFL pic.twitter.com/pNxAuQu2iv
— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) October 10, 2025
The wins over Philly have been few and far between for more than a decade. The Eagles had beaten the Giants in seven of the last eight meetings, 16 of the past 20, going back an entire decade.
But that would never enter the ultra-competitive Dart’s mind.
“We feel like anytime we go out there on the field, anybody we’re playing against, we have a chance to win,” Dart said.
“Doesn’t matter what Vegas says. It doesn’t matter what the spread is. I was watching Pat McAfee, they are talking about the point spread of who is going to win the game. We don’t care about that stuff. We feel like we’re confident to go out there, put on a good performance, and win games.”
Jaxson Dart
Dart has taken the team by storm, beating out quarterbacks Russell Wilson, the starter at the beginning of the season, and Jameis Winston.
Dart finished Thursday’s game 17-for-25 for 195 yards passing, one touchdown and zero interceptions. He also rushed for 58 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown.
Jaxson Dart is the first Giants rookie QB to defeat the Eagles in 75 YEARS 🤯
🏈 Travis Tidwell: Week 11 (1950)
🏈 Jaxson Dart: Week 6 (2025) pic.twitter.com/G2bkh5ai7W— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) October 10, 2025
Skattebo recorded 98 yards on 19 carries with three touchdowns, showing the toughness he was known for in college.
Dart, as Ole Miss fans recall, can make things happen with his legs. He still doesn’t slide when he probably should, but his give-it-all-he’s got mentality usually won’t let him.
He’s like that 🎯 pic.twitter.com/TArXRZh83z
— Land Shark Nation™ (@LandSharkNation) October 10, 2025
Shaking it off
Just four days ago against the New Orleans Saints, Dart turned the ball over three times and Skattebo lost a fumble that was returned for an 86-yard touchdown run.
As one New York beat writer said, “Thank goodness for youth and short memories.”
But these two rookies bounced back Thursday night and gave the Giants’ franchise its biggest win in more than two years.
The future of New York pic.twitter.com/mesBQ6Ywb4
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 10, 2025
A brief scare
After leading 20-17 at halftime, the Giants pushed that to 27-17 halfway through the third quarter on a 1-yard Skattebo run, the second of his three TDs.
On their next offensive series, Giants fans watched as Dart was sacked and remained on the turf, scaring the fans in MetLife Stadium.
After he was checked on the field, Dart jogged off to the sidelines; however, he was taken into the tent for the mandatory evaluation for concussion. Russell Wilson entered the game to raucous boos and was unable to keep the possession going and the Giants were forced to punt.
Dart emerged from the tent after a few minutes, cleared to play on.
Head coach Brian Daboll was not happy, apparently, with how long took for Dart to be cleared.
Coach Daboll was seen screaming at the team physician to hurry and complete Dart’s concussion test.
Brian Daboll saw 2 plays of Russell Wilson and is yelling at the team doctor to get an update on Jaxson Dart pic.twitter.com/8wM6aI6j6K
— 𝙆am Brice (@kambrice1tv) October 10, 2025
He told media after the game that he apologized for the outburst.
“I apologized directly to our team physician. I wanted his (Dart’s) ass out there and asked how long it’s gonna take,” said Daboll in the postgame conference, as quoted by Giants reporter Pat Leonard. “If he’s gonna be alright, I’ll call a timeout and go for the son of a b****,” he added.
Daboll credited his two rookies for their play.
“You go through some tough times. Sometimes you can get stronger from it, or sometimes you can fold. I like our guys. I have a lot of confidence in these young players. These rookies, they have the right mindset. They’re tough.”
Brian Daboll on Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo
The Giants put the game away on a Cor’Dale Flott interception of Jalen Hurts and a 68-yard return with 11:25 remaining in the game.
Here are some more Jaxson moments from the thrilling win.
Jaxson Dart after playing 6 weeks of football with Cam Skattebo pic.twitter.com/4VVLR4FWZC
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) October 10, 2025
Jaxson Dart 17/25, 195 PYDS, 13 CAR, 58 RYDS, 2 TDS vs PHI Today Week 6. pic.twitter.com/8XgNEmnUv4
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) October 10, 2025
Jaxson Dart is wild 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/WTPvCczpfU
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 10, 2025
Jaxson Dart is the first Giants rookie QB to defeat the Eagles in 75 YEARS 🤯
🏈 Travis Tidwell: We
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com