EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Usually, with less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the New York Giants playing in prime time, the fans heading to the exits at MetLife Stadium are their own.

Not on “Thursday Night Football” against the Philadelphia Eagles. With the Giants doubling up the Eagles 34-17 and 9:41 remaining, it was the visiting fans clad in kelly green walking to the concourse on their way toward the marshes of New Jersey. 

The Giants over the past several seasons can be further explained by their putrid prime time record. Since the 2019 season, they were 2-20 in night games, including a 1-12 showing at home at MetLife Stadium. 

Enter the rookie combination of quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo, both of whom carried the Giants’ offense. Skattebo (19 rushes, 98 yards) had three rushing touchdowns. Dart also had one on the ground (10 carries for 60 yards before the end-of-game kneel downs) and was 17-for-25 with 195 passing yards and a touchdown through the air. 

Dart temporarily left the game at the end of the third quarter while being evaluated for a concussion for the second time in three games but once again was quickly cleared.  

The statistical contributions and production are, of course, necessary for change to begin in head coach Brian Daboll’s fourth season at the helm. But the spiritual revitalization they have seemed to ignite – Dart is not lacking “aura,” as the kids say, and Skattebo is slapping cornerbacks on the sideline to celebrate their interceptions – are even more meaningful. 

From the Giants’ first drive, Dart sliced the Eagles’ depleted secondary, especially after cornerback Quinyon Mitchell exited in the first half with a hamstring injury (defensive tackle Jalen Carter was also surprisingly ruled out before kickoff). He converted a long third down with a jump ball pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey and put All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun on skates for a 20-yard touchdown run for the Giants’ first score of the game.

On the next drive, Dart stayed calm in the pocket as the Eagles’ pass rush approached. The Ole Miss product turned to his right, found Wan’Dale Robinson for a first down and Robinson did the rest – sprinting down the right sideline for a 35-yard touchdown and an early 13-3 advantage. 

Skattebo scored his first touchdown with 1:19 before halftime and put New York back on top for good. He added one score in the third and fourth quarter apiece and finished with a taunting penalty for good measure. 

The rookies’ larger roles have also increased the Giants’ efficiency in situational downs; they were 11-for-16 (69%) on third down and scored on all of their red zone and goal-to-go scenarios.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York Giants’ Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo lead defeat of Eagles