2023-12-13 20:03:45
DeVito is the first Giants rookie quarterback to win three consecutive starts since Phil Simms won four in a row in 1979.
Since the 1970 merger, he is just the third undrafted rookie quarterback to win three starts in a season, joining Ed Rubbert, who won three strike-replacement games for Washington in 1987, and Pittsburgh’s Devlin Hodges in 2019.
DeVito’s passer ratings the last three games are 137.7, 103.9 and 113.9. He is the first undrafted rookie since 1967 with a 100+ rating in three straight starts.
The only other rookie quarterback this season with three consecutive games with ratings of 103.9 or higher (minimum 20 attempts) is Houston’s C.J. Stroud, who was the second overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft and is the favorite to be named the league’s offensive Rookie of the Year. The last Giants quarterback with three straight games with 20+ attempts and 100+ passer rating was Eli Manning from Sept. 21-Oct. 5, 2014. DeVito is the first Giants rookie quarterback to do it.
DeVito impressed Brian Daboll and the Giants’ offensive coaching staff throughout OTAs, training camp and the preseason, when he completed 67.2% of his passes. But he was the clear third quarterback behind Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor and was released on Aug. 29. The next day, DeVito was signed to the practice squad and his development continued.
After Jones injured his neck in Miami on Oct. 8, Taylor became the starter and DeVito was elevated to the roster as his backup. Taylor fractured ribs on Oct. 29 vs. the Jets and DeVito made his NFL debut in the second quarter. DeVito threw just seven passes, completing two, but scored the Giants’ only touchdown on a 6-yard run.
Taylor was placed on injured reserve, but Jones returned the following week once morest the Raiders. Jones left the game with what was later diagnosed as a torn ACL, ending his season. DeVito made his first start on Nov. 19 in Dallas, a 49-17 loss. He has since led the Giants to victories in Washington and at home vs. New England and Green Bay. In the three wins, DeVito completed 52 of 72 passes (72.2%) for 595 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.
DeVito is the Giants’ first player of the week honoree this season and first since another rookie, Kayvon Thibodeaux, was the NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 15 last season, following a Giants victory in Washington. Jones was the Giants’ previous Offensive Player of the Week in Week 7 of 2022 in Jacksonville.
This is the 40th season the NFL has honored players of the week. DeVito’s award is the 37th won by a Giants offensive player. DeVito is the seventh Giants quarterback selected Player of the Week and they have received a total of 16 awards: Manning and Kerry Collins (4 each), Jones (3), Phil Simms (2), and Jeff Hostetler, Kent Graham and DeVito (one each).
DeVito and the 5-8 Giants return to action Sunday once morest the 6-7 Saints in New Orleans.
*Tight end Darren Waller remains on injured reserve with a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for five games but is hopeful he will return soon.
“Definitely what I want to do, and what I’ve been used to doing, is like 70-80 snaps a game,” Waller said when asked what kind of workload he feels he can handle. “Coming out the first week, probably not that, but as far as a number that’s solid that can contribute in whatever ways he (coach Brian Daboll) needs me to contribute but also be fresh. Assuming that’s realistic, I plan on contributing given the opportunity.”
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