Jaxson Dart was without his top targets, WR1 Malik Nabers and RB1 Cam Skattebo, in the New York Giants‘ 34-24 Week 9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Still, the rookie quarterback gave everything he had. But when the Giants were still trailing late in the game, the decision to keep Dart on the field raised eyebrows, a call that head coach Brian Daboll would later downplay.

With the Giants down by three scores and only four minutes left, many wondered why head coach Brian Daboll didn’t pull him out, especially knowing how competitive Dart is and how willing he is to take a hit for a play. Daboll later explained that he kept Dart in because the game technically wasn’t over yet.

“I was 34 to 24,” Daboll started. “We had three timeouts left, went for the outside, if we would have held them there, get the ball back with say 50 seconds. So, we’re gonna try to play to the end there. That’s what we’re gonna do.”

In other words, Daboll and his staff weren’t ready to wave the white flag. They were banking on getting the ball back in the final minutes. In a way, Dart’s couple of late touchdowns during garbage time pretty much captured exactly what Daboll was aiming for.

But regardless, the concern remains. Dart has a tendency to take too many hits, which constantly puts him at risk of getting hurt. He’s always been a mobile quarterback who relies on his legs as much as his arm, but instead of sliding, he often invites contact.

Take Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco, for instance. Dart led the rushing attack with 56 yards on 8 carries. But at some point in the second quarter, 49ers defensive end Clelin Ferrell crushed him for a sack when the team was trailing 14-7.

Luckily, Dart didn’t fumble or get hurt, though both could’ve easily happened. Later, on a drive deep in 49ers territory, he took another big hit while trying to make the score look more respectable. That’s why reporters pressed Daboll about why he didn’t pull his QB1 late in the game.

Brian Daboll addresses the culprit of the Week 9 loss

The Giants are now staring at their second three-game losing streak of the season after that 34–24 loss to the Niners. The culprit would seem to be a defense that’s leaking points. The New York Giants have now conceded 30-plus in each of the last three games, all ending in losses.

That is exactly why the Daboll didn’t shy away from addressing the team’s struggles when asked if the Giants need to consider a change in defensive playcaller.

“None of us did a good enough job. That starts with me. We’ll continue to work at it,” Brian Daboll said after the game.

New York’s defense struggled all day. The team allowed the 49ers to gain 380 total yards. 221 of them came through the air, while 159 came on the ground. Mac Jones, in his fifth consecutive start in Brock Purdy’s absence, ran the offense efficiently, despite getting a minor injury scare during the second quarter.

On the ground, Christian McCaffrey carried the load for the Niners, racking up 106 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown, and he wasn’t done there. McCaffrey also led the team in receiving with 67 yards on five catches and another score. Long story short, the Giants’ defense struggled to contain the Niners’ offensive stars. With the Giants heading into a crucial matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles next week, how the defense performs will play a crucial role in their result.