Chargers Vs Giants: Five Things To Watch For, Including How To Handle A Rookie Quarterback

It’s hard to believe that the Los Angeles Chargers are 3-0 to start the season, and they’re facing rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in their next game against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Here’s what to look for as the team tries to move to 4-0.

Los Angeles Chargers Defense Vs Jaxson Dart

Considering Dart had double digits in rushing yards for much of his college career, the Chargers’ run defense will need to be on point.

Additionally, Giants players like left tackle Andrew Thomas will make it more difficult to get to Dart, as Thomas is so reliable in pass protection.

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The Chargers will need to find a way to break through and do all they can to keep Dart in the pocket. I expect big games from linebacker Daiyan Henley and safety Derwin James Jr.

A Run Game Without Running Back Najee Harris

It seemed like running back Najee Harris was just finding his groove in the Chargers’ offense in Week 3 when he went down with a season-ending injury.

Rookie running back Omarion Hampton now has a bit more weight on his shoulders, while players like Hassan Haskins are also going to have to step up big in Harris’s absence. Hopefully, Hampton doesn’t become overused to the point where the run game can’t function without him, which is a big worry without Harris.

Kimani Vidal from the practice squad can fill in gaps, as can Amar Johnson, and maybe the Chargers go out and sign someone new. There are ways to recover from this, but it’s devastating, given all the hype that surrounded the run game coming into the season and the letdown that already transpired over the fact that Harris hadn’t played for the majority of the offseason.

The Chargers need to find a way to move past this and still have a complete run game in 2025. 

A Fierce Giants Pass Rush

The Giants certainly have some talent on the pass rush side of things, between defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II, outside linebacker Brian Burns, and rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter.

According to ESPN, Lawrence led the Giants with nine sacks, while Burns followed close behind with 8.5, and Thibodeaux came in fourth with 5.5 in 2024. Burns was also first for the team in tackles for loss at 17.

Carter enters the league with 23 sacks and 39.5 tackles for loss across his college career at Penn State.

The Chargers did not do well in pass blocking against the Broncos, allowing five sacks. And the issues weren’t contained to one side, with left tackle Joe Alt allowing a sack and right tackle Trey Pipkins III allowing another, in addition to fullback Scott Matlock and right guard Jamaree Salyer also being at fault (Salyer in particular stepped in for injured right guard Mekhi Becton).

Becton has already been ruled out for this week’s game, so it will be up to Salyer and the rest of the offensive line to improve against the rush.

Explosive Plays From Giants Wide Receiver Malik Nabers

How Nabers plays all depends on what the Giants get from Dart. Nabers by far had the most receiving yards (1,204), touchdowns (seven), and yards after catch (475) of the Giants last year. Minus the Dallas game, where he had two receiving touchdowns, he’s had a slower start to 2025, and that has much to do with the offensive struggles.

Sunday could be the game where Nabers comes alive, and the Chargers need to be ready.

Against the Broncos, wide receiver Courtland Sutton got some big gains, like a 19-yard reception over the middle of the field during the second quarter, and a deep shot on a fourth-and-2 where he caught it in space and ran it in for a touchdown, gaining a total of 52 yards on the play.

The Chargers’ secondary, much like the rest of the defense, has been holding it down, but there are some things they can clean up.

I expect improved performances from players like safety Alohi Gilman and cornerback Donte Jackson this week. Because if Dart and Nabers can connect often, it’ll be a long game for the Chargers. 

More Involvement From Tight End Oronde Gadsden II

Tight end Oronde Gadsden II was the talk of training camp, and while he’s been off the radar so far this season, Sunday’s game against the Broncos marked his first regular-season action as he took the place of injured tight end Will Dissly.

He did well with several first downs and had five receptions on six targets with 46 receiving yards.

He played very few run blocking snaps to get an accurate evaluation of him in that area, but at least in terms of the receiving end, he gives Herbert another option, and there’s nothing wrong with having as many targets as possible.

Will Dissly has been ruled out again for Sunday’s game, so we should see Gadsden II get some more run.