the tortured fans department

Well, to the shock of absolutely nobody, the Giants lost to the Chiefs last night.

Going in, it never really felt realistic that Kansas City would fall to 0-3, and while the game wasn’t a total blowout, it never truly felt close either. I originally thought we’d see a few questionable calls go the Chiefs’ way, but in the end, it didn’t even come down to that. It came down to, once again, an absolute embarrassment of an offensive performance under the lights. The Giants have now played 40 primetime games dating back to 2015; in those games, the Giants have a win-loss record of 9-31. 

Although for this loss a chunk of the blame can go on Russell Wilson, who threw some head-scratching throws and absolutely egregious interceptions, I am once again putting this game on the coaches. If you read my article last week, you know my thoughts on DC Shane Bowen, who again started Abdul Carter at middle linebacker this week. But putting that aside, this one is on Brian Daboll.

(image via chiefs.com)

I’ve defended this guy through loss after loss, but I’m at my wits’ end. Somehow, he continues to allow OC Mike Kafka to call the plays and run the most vanilla offense in the NFL. Last week, Big Blue scored 37 in Dallas. Why? Because they actually got the ball to their playmakers, Nabers and Robinson, and mixed in trick plays and deep shots down the field. It is truly mind-boggling how, after a game like that, we immediately revert to the same dink-and-dunk offense that goes absolutely nowhere.

My other gripe with Coach Daboll is his seeming inability to control the team. Malik Nabers is throwing fits on the sideline, fans are chanting for Dart, and we don't have a kicker, which may not seem like a gigantic issue, but it really is. For the record, Graham Gano “aggravated” his groin injury last night and couldn’t handle kickoffs or long field goals. And if that sounds familiar, it’s because this is now the second time in two seasons the Giants have gone into a game without a healthy kicker, something that literally cost them the game in Washington last year. 

Daboll’s reign as Giants head coach is now fully tied to Jaxson Dart. If Dart comes in and lights up the league, Daboll’s job is saved. If not, Daboll is likely gone after this season. And if that happens, it sets off the vicious cycle all over again, a new coach inheriting a quarterback he didn’t draft, while Dart is forced to learn yet another offensive scheme. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Next up, Big Blue is at home against the 3-0 Chargers.