The metaphorical lights were not too bright for Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon in Buffalo, the Giants' first-round draft picks made their NFL debuts in a 34-25 road victory over the Bills to open the preseason. It provided a glimpse of what is to come in 2025 and beyond.

"It definitely didn't seem too big for them," general manager Joe Schoen said during an appearance in the broadcast booth. "And that's what it seemed like this spring and in training camp. Each day they're continuing to get better. You've never felt like it was too big for either of those guys."

Dart entered the game for the team's second drive. The Ole Miss career passing leader completed his first attempt, a nine-yard gain to wide receiver Zach Pascal. But it was his second drive that will have Giants fans talking.

After a long catch-and-run by wide receiver Montrell Washington, a common connection at training camp, Dart showed his timing and anticipation on a 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey on the left side of the end zone.

The Giants took a 16-10 lead into halftime, and Dart's day ended there. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown, good for a 106.0 passer rating. He also ran for a team-high 24 yards on three carries.

"It was about what I thought he would do," coach Brian Daboll said about the 25^th overall draft pick. "Efficient. Effective. Aggressive. Confident in the pocket."

As for Carter, the third overall pick played limited snaps but was able to generate some pressure.

"I thought both of those guys did a good job," Schoen said. "I saw Abdul, he looks like he got a couple pressures. I'll have to go back and see the film afterwards. And then Jaxson did a good job operating the offense, and I was glad he was able to get the two-minute drill in there in the end. I'm happy with where both of those guys are."

Add Russell Wilson to that list.

While he is long removed from his NFL debut, Saturday marked his first start in a Giants uniform. The 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback completed his first six passes en route to a Giants field goal – the first of three from 50+ yards by Graham Gano – on the opening drive.

"Being a pro and a vet that's been doing it for a long time, you can feel that at practice, you can feel that out there today," Wilson said. "The ball just comes out quick. There aren't any defenses that he hasn't seen before. He's got very good command of the offense, and I feel like you felt that today."

THE GAME WAS OVER WHEN…

Outside linebacker Trace Ford, an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma, recovered a fumble on an errant snap in Bills territory late in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing possession, Tommy DeVito threw a nine-yard touchdown to running back Jonathan Ward, giving the Giants a nine-point lead with 2:11 left in the game.

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS

Dart's first NFL touchdown was a perfectly timed and placed ball to Humphrey, who made an equally impressive catch. The "packed house" in Buffalo was a "great first environment" for the rookie quarterback, according to Daboll, who knows a thing or two about that stadium.

STAT OF THE GAME

The Giants threw the ball 51 times and didn't give up a sack while all four quarterbacks led scoring drives.

STARTING LINEUP

Offense:

• QB Russell Wilson
• LT James Hudson III
• LG Jon Runyan Jr.
• C John Michael Schmitz
• RG Greg Van Roten
• RT Jermaine Eluemunor
• TE Theo Johnson
• WR Wan'Dale Robinson
• WR Zach Pascal
• WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey
• RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Defense:

• DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
• DT Rakeem Nuñez-Roches
• DT Roy Robertson-Harris
• OLB Brian Burns
• ILB Bobby Okereke
• ILB Micah McFadden
• NICKEL Dru Phillips
• CB Paulson Adebo
• CB Deonte Banks
• S Tyler Nubin
• S Jevón Holland

IN-GAME INJURY REPORT

The Giants came away from the game with no immediate injuries to report.

QUOTABLE

"I thought we needed that. We'll do it again. We're going to play in the preseason. People that are able to play are going to play, and if they're not able to play or a doctor or a trainer says it would be smart to hold him out, we'll hold him out. But other than that, we're going to play." – Daboll on playing all healthy starters

WHAT'S NEXT

The Giants will hold joint practices with the Jets on Tuesday (Florham Park) and Wednesday (East Rutherford) ahead of their annual preseason matchup on Saturday, Aug. 16 (7 p.m.) at MetLife Stadium. The Giants will be the "home" team this year. Then they turn around and host the Patriots on Thursday, Aug. 21 (8 p.m.) in the finale. Clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players by 4 p.m. on Aug. 26.

"I expect good, competitive practices with that group," Daboll said. "Try to take another step. Still a way to go, but it beats the alternative."

And that alternative would have been losing.