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The NFL preseason is the ultimate showcase for the most important position in sports: the quarterback. It’s a time for new veteran starters to get their feet wet in a different system, for highly-touted rookies to make their professional debut, and for deep-roster players to fight for a job. On Saturday night in Buffalo, the New York Giants put on a masterclass in quarterback depth, with four different players contributing to a hard-fought victory. From the grizzled veteran to the promising rookie, the Giants’ signal-callers were sharp, efficient, and clutch. It was a fascinating look at the team’s new-look QB room and provided a wealth of tape for coaches to evaluate and sports handicappers an early look at the talent behind the starters.
Giants’ Quarterback Depth on Full Display in Preseason Victory
The New York Giants showcased their impressive new quarterback room, as Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, and Jameis Winston all led scoring drives in a 34-25 preseason victory over the host Buffalo Bills. The game was a competitive, back-and-forth affair that saw four lead changes in the second half, but the Giants’ depth and execution in the final minutes proved to be the difference.
A Look at the New-Look QB Room
The Giants gave fans a look at their completely revamped quarterback depth chart, and the results were impressive across the board. Free-agent signee Russell Wilson got the start and was surgically efficient, completing 6 of 7 passes for 28 yards on the opening drive, which ended in a field goal. He was followed by rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart, who had a stellar debut, completing 12 of 19 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown. Veteran Jameis Winston handled the second half and also threw a touchdown pass, while fourth-stringer Tommy DeVito sealed the win with a late scoring toss. The strong showing from the rookie Dart will surely have him climbing the preseason rookie leaderboard.
| New York Giants | Quarterback Showcase |
| Player | Comp/Att |
| Russell Wilson | 6-of-7 |
| Jaxson Dart | 12-of-19 |
| Jameis Winston | 7-of-11 |
| Tommy DeVito | 1-of-1 |
Bills’ Backups Battle Hard
With reigning MVP Josh Allen resting, the Buffalo Bills gave their backup quarterbacks an extended look, and both performed admirably. Veteran Mitchell Trubisky got the start and was sharp, completing 9 of 13 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. He was followed by Mike White, who also played well, throwing for 112 yards and two scores on 8-for-13 passing. While the Bills ultimately fell short, the strong play from their backups is an encouraging sign for their depth heading into the regular season. The solid performances by both teams’ backups will be a key talking point on all the top sports picks sites.
| Buffalo Bills | Quarterback Showcase |
| Player | Comp/Att |
| M. Trubisky | 9-of-13 |
| Mike White | 8-of-13 |
Late-Game Turnovers Decide Competitive Contest
After a back-and-forth second half, the game was ultimately decided in the final minutes. With the score tight, Giants kicker Jude McAtamney drilled a 42-yard field goal with just over seven minutes remaining to give New York the lead for good. The Giants’ defense then came up with the biggest play of the game, recovering a fumble deep in Buffalo territory. The offense quickly capitalized on the turnover, with Tommy DeVito finding Jonathan Ward for an 8-yard touchdown pass that provided the final nine-point margin and sealed the victory. The late turnover was a crucial swing that impacted the final odds and scores of the contest.
| Key Scoring Plays | Fourth Quarter |
| Team | Play |
| NY Giants | J. McAtamney 42-yard FG |
| NY Giants | T. DeVito 8-yard TD pass |
