Giants and Coach Brian Daboll Struggle After Tough 0-2 Start

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants find themselves at a crossroads, entering Brian Daboll’s third season amid high hopes yet struggling significantly after a disappointing previous year. With a young roster, the Giants needed numerous factors to align favorably for a successful turnaround.

Regrettably, they have started the season poorly, suffering a 28-6 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings before losing 21-18 in a close match against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. This challenging beginning signals a bleak trajectory as the team has not made the playoffs after an 0-2 start since the 2007 season, during which Tom Coughlin led them to a championship.

This marks the ninth instance since 2013 where the Giants have begun 0-2, a streak that has not produced favorable outcomes, with the best record being 7-9 in 2013. Daboll, however, remains focused on the present, stating, “What really happened 10 years ago or last year… has no bearing on anything this season.” He highlighted the team’s improvements in various areas and emphasized the need for continued growth, particularly as they prepare to take on the Cleveland Browns next.

In what seemed like a lost cause, the Giants nearly secured a win despite allowing the Commanders to rack up a staggering 425 total yards while dominating possession for over 37 minutes. The game was marred by injuries, with kicker Graham Gano injuring his hamstring on the opening kickoff and being sidelined for the remainder of the match.

Moreover, punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra point following the first touchdown, and the offense struggled during key moments, failing on multiple two-point conversion attempts. A dropped fourth-down pass by rookie Malik Nabers ultimately allowed Washington’s Austin Seibert to clinch the victory with a field goal in the game’s waning moments.

Daboll is no stranger to overcoming a rocky start; he was part of the New England Patriots coaching staff in 2001 when they started 1-3 yet went on to win the Super Bowl. He draws on this experience during challenging times.

Despite the disheartening losses, there were some positive indicators for the Giants in their performance following the debacle against the Vikings. Daniel Jones completed 16 of 28 passes for 178 yards and threw touchdown passes to both Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. Running back Devin Singletary showcased his skills, rushing for 95 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. The offensive line also improved, surrendering only one sack compared to five from the previous week.

However, the run defense remains a significant concern, allowing an average of 163 rushing yards over the first two games. The Commanders dominated the ground game, accounting for 215 rushing yards, with Brian Robinson leading the charge, amassing 133 yards on an average of 7.8 yards per carry.

On a positive note, inside linebacker Micah McFadden stood out, leading the team with 13 tackles, while rookie cornerback Dru Phillips contributed with 12 tackles, including seven solo. Both players managed to record a sack during the game, reflecting their growing impact on the defense.

Conversely, second-year receiver Jalin Hyatt, who had been given ample opportunities during training camp, has yet to be targeted this season. Most of the first-team reps for the wide receivers have gone to Nabers and veteran Darius Slayton, reflecting a shift in team dynamics.

Injury woes continue to plague the Giants, as Gano, who had been dealing with a groin issue, aggravated it when trying to chase down an opponent on a kickoff return. He is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks, leading to the team bringing in practice squad kicker Jude McAtamney to compete with free agents for the kicking role.

A noteworthy milestone was achieved by Malik Nabers, who became the youngest player in NFL history to record at least 10 receptions, 100 receiving yards, and a touchdown catch in a single game at just 21 years and 49 days old. This surpasses the previous record held by Gern Nagler.

The Giants now prepare for their upcoming battle against the Browns, who come off a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, hopeful that their fortunes will shift in week three.

Source: Associated Press