New York Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields returned to the starting lineup on Monday after missing Week 3 with a concussion.

The Miami Dolphins ruined Fields’ return, beating the Jets 27-21 on Monday Night Football in Week 4. The dual-threat quarterback had some ups and downs.

Fields started poorly, losing a fumble on the Jets’ second possession. It was a brutal follow-up to a Braelon Allen fumble at the goal line on the first drive. 

Fields’ most electric play was of the highlight-worthy variety. With the Jets trailing 17-3 midway through the third quarter, Aaron Glenn encouraged the offense to convert a 4th-and-1. Fields’ play-action attempt appeared dead in the backfield. That’s when he scrambled around, found the edge and rumbled for a 43-yard rushing touchdown.

All in all, Fields completed 20-of-27 passing attempts for 226 yards and a touchdown. The stats are somewhat misleading. Most of Fields’ passing production occurred in the fourth quarter with the Jets trailing by multiple scores, with the Dolphins playing a conservative prevent defense.

Most NFL players have short careers. They only have a few seasons to prove they can be difference makers at their positions, or their teams and then the rest of the league moves on fast.

It’s a stressful world, and each season just about every player needs to prove his worth all over again. But to some players, there is extra pressure to perform this season to establish themselves as impact players or earn a big new contract.

Justin Fields got another chance to start from the Jets, who were a bit desperate after moving on from Aaron Rodgers. Fields got a two-year, $40 million deal, which would either be easy for the Jets to move on from after one season or for Fields to seek a long-term extension if he plays well. 

The Jets still have plenty of talent and there’s no real competition for Fields on the roster. He should get the season to prove what he can do. However, a poor preseason passing the ball didn’t inspire much confidence heading into the season. This might be Fields’ last good chance to establish himself as a regular starter in the NFL.

The Jaxson Dart era in New York got off to a winning start, as the Giants upset the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers 21-18 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Dart was efficient, but somewhat limited by a left hamstring injury he suffered in the first half. Dart got his NFL starting QB career off to a good start with a 15-yard touchdown run on his first drive. The Giants went up-tempo in the Ole Miss product’s first game.  

Dart was efficient in the first half in leading the Giants to a 13-10 halftime lead (7 of 11 for 59 yards; six carries for 44 yards and a TD), but the rookie began grabbing his left hamstring to stretch it out late in the first half and was noticeably limping on the last drive before halftime as the Chargers have turned up the pressure.

Rookie Cam Skattebo ran for 79 yards on 25 carries as the Giants rushed for 161 yards on the afternoon.

For Los Angeles, Justin Herbert threw two crucial interceptions that put the Giants in good field position. He finished 23 of 41 for 203 yards passing. Dart only threw for 111, but added 54 yards on the ground with a passing and rushing touchdown.