Welp, they managed to do it again. For the second week in a row and what feels like the three hundredth time in the last 10 seasons, the Giants lost in the most embarrassing way possible.
During these last ten seasons if the Giants did one thing right it was beating Washington, something they seemed to do every time the two teams played. But now we can't even get that right.
The defense bent but did not break all game long. Letting up the long drive after the long drive but never allowing the Commanders to cross the goal line and allowing just 21 points on seven field goals. And although the offense could have done a lot more and had plenty of chances to do so, I put this loss on Brian Daboll.
The Giants kicker Graham Gano was said to have a groin injury all week long. Despite this lingering injury, Brian Daboll decided not to call up their practice squad kicker Jude McAtamney. “We thought Graham would be okay...he got hurt chasing down a [runner]. It was a hamstring. He didn’t hurt his groin.” Daboll said after the game.
The decision to not have a contingency plan at the kicker spot became a detrimental mistake for Daboll and the Giants. Gano was injured on the opening kickoff meaning punter Jamie Gillan was put in to replace him. Gillan was flagged on a kickoff for missing the landing zone and missed an extra-point attempt. That missed PAT forced New York to go for two after all of their touchdowns, failing on all three attempts. This game them a total of 18 points rather than a possible 21 with extra points. And with newly acquired Commanders kicker Austin Seibert going 7/7 on field goals, one coming as time expired the G-Men lost by the final score of 21-18.
Just embarrassing.
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| (image via Tim Nwachukwu/GettyImages) |
Sunday's lone bright spot was Malik Nabers who had 10 catches on 18 targets for 127 yards and his first NFL touchdown. I think most Giants fans agree this guy looks eerily reminiscent of rookie Odell Beckham Jr. He made plays all game long, did great in the YAC (yards after catch) game, and kept the Giants offense moving. Not much more you can ask out of a rookie. I expect him to keep getting better and transcend into one of the league's top receivers by the end of 2024.
With that said, this loss now marks the 9th time in 11 seasons that the Giants have started 0-2, the most of any NFL team. Things could go from bad to worse as the G-Men travel to Cleveland next week.
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