In the tenth time in twelve seasons, the New York Giants have started their season with a record of 0-2. The Giants lost a heartbreaking game to the Washington Commanders 21-18 this past Sunday. It is the first time in Giants history where they have lost a game by scoring three plus touchdowns and not allowing a touchdown.
There is much to blame in the New York Giants organization, but in the National Football League, all eyes are on the head coach. In warmups, Giants kicker Graham Gano seemed to be in discomfort and was listed on the injury report late in the week with a quad injury. On the opening kickoff, Gano would be ruled out for the remainder of the game with a hamstring injury after trying to make a tackle.
The Giants played the remainder of the game without a kicker and punter, Jamie Gillian took over the kicking duties where he missed the first extra point for the Giants and had a penalty for a kick out of bounds. The Giants had to attempt two point conversions for the remainder of the game where they did not convert on the two attempts they tried.
This seems to be deja vu where in a week 7 game in 2023 versus the New York Jets, Gano was listed as questionable prior to the game with a hamstring injury and ended up missing a 35 yard field goal to keep the Jets hope alive. It ended up being costly, due to the Jets winning in overtime.
This is very frustratingfor the Giants due to having rookie kicker from Rutgers University, Jordan McAtammey, available on the practice squad. Even if he isn’t activated during the week, the Giants could have gone through pregame warmups and made a decision from there. McAtemmey went two for two in the preseason finale vs the New York Jets and even made a field goal from 43 yards.
Overall this is a fireable decision from Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll. This was a game the Giants could not lose, and not having a healthy kicker cost them the game.
Daboll’s record as the Giants head coach is now 15 wins, 20 loses, and one tie.
The Giants looked outmatched in a week 1 contest vs the Minnesota Vikings at home where they did not record a touchdown, and now to lose to a very untalented roster in the Washington Commanders on the road.
Getting out coached and being unprepared is unacceptable in the National Football League and the Giants must move on from Brian Daboll sooner than later.
