Giants' play calling needs to protect rookie QB Jaxson Dart

After a 27-20 loss on Sunday to the Green Bay Packers, the New York Giants are on the verge of being the first team eliminated from playoff contention. Realistically, the playoffs weren't in the cards for this New York team. Despite that, this team plays better than its 2-9 record would indicate.

Going towards the end of the season, the Giants no longer have the pressure of competing for a playoff spot. Instead, they can focus on the development of their rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. Part of that development for Dart includes taking every precaution necessary to protect his health.

Through his seven career starts, Dart has visited the medical tent four times, three for potential concussions and in Week 11 when he was diagnosed with a concussion.

Along with trips to the tent, Dart ranks second in the NFL in designed runs with 25, trailing only his New York counterpart, Justin Fields (30).

This was Dart's first concussion in either professional or collegiate football. Going forward, the Giants' play-calling will need to undergo some sort of transition to protect Dart.

Give the ball to the running backs

With Dart missing action in Week 11, Jameis Winston took over as the team's starter. With that, Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary combined for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries.

Despite losing, the Giants won in two areas: number of plays and time of possession. Winning in those two areas allowed the Giants to have an almost even split, 29 pass attempts, 35 rush attempts (Not including two QB sneaks and a kneel by Winston).

With Winston under center, the threat of a mobile quarterback was missing. Now Dart is trending in the right direction to take back over in Week 12.

With that, interim head coach Mike Kafka now faces the challenge of handling Dart's rushing work. The Giants shouldn't completely eliminate Dart's legs, especially in the red zone. When they have the ball on any other part of the field, those designed runs should be given to Tracy or Singletary instead.

Before the Week 14 bye, the Giants face the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots, two teams ranked in the top six in rushing yards allowed per game. Despite those tough opponents, the Giants need to establish the run early with Tracy and Singletary, putting less pressure on Dart to make up those rushing yards.

Get the ball out quick

Dart is clearly a skilled dual-threat QB who is not afraid to tuck the ball when his receivers aren't open (21 scrambles). There's always a time in place when a quarterback needs to scramble, but with Dart scrambling often, it should lead to more limited designed runs.

When Dart does drop back, he ranks seventh in intended air yards per attempt at 8.6 yards. Additionally, Dart ranks as the 10th slowest QB in terms of time to throw.

Those two stats show that Dart is waiting for his play to develop or potentially devolve, leading to potential scrambles. The Giants' playbook should adapt to more quick-hitting passes. Shorten the amount of time Dart has the ball in his hands and also limit the situations where he needs to scramble.

Avoid contact

More simply said than done, but more than anything, Dart needs to avoid contact. Get out of bounds, slide or throw the ball away; it doesn't matter.

Each trip to the blue tent has been due to this inability to avoid contact. Going forward, Dart needs to do better in this area to protect himself and the future of the Giants.