The NFL announced on Thursday that five preseason games will be nationally televised in 2025, including one that features the New York Giants.
In Week 3, the Giants will host the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That game will be under the lights and broadcast on Prime Video at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Why would that game on Thursday, August 21 warrant a national television audience, you ask? The answer is obvious: Quarterback Jaxson Dart.
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Traditionally, teams sit most of their starters in the final week of the preseason to avoid costly injuries entering the regular season. Accordingly, rookies, backups, and fringe players are afforded additional playing time and given greater opportunities.
Because the Giants will enter Week 1 of the season with Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback and Jameis Winston as his backup, the Patriots preseason game may be the final chance for anyone to see Dart until 2026. Needless to say, all eyes will be on him — enough to land the game a national audience.
That game will also likely feature a hefty dose of Evan Neal at guard, but that’s certainly not why everyone will be watching.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Preseason game between Giants, Patriots will be nationally televised