THE STORYLINE:
As discussed in last week’s game preview, Mike Kafka is in the unenviable position of trying to impress ownership, media, and fans while being placed in charge of a sinking ship. The undermanned New York Giants gave a good effort against the Green Bay Packers, but once again Shane Bowen’s defense could not hold a fourth-quarter lead. Right or wrong, the stench of another disastrous season is now starting to cling to Kafka. I suspect by season’s end, fans will be done with Kafka too.
Enter an angry and desperate Detroit Lions team that is looking to “get right” against the ultimate “get right” opponent. This has ugly written all over it.
The Giants are in the midst of a 4-game stretch against the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and New England Patriots. I can’t help but be reminded on what John Mara passed on when looking at these teams. Instead of Matt LaFleur, we got Pat Shurmur. Instead of Dan Campbell, we got Joe Judge. Instead of Mike Vrabel or Ben Johnson, we kept Brian Daboll. This is relevant given that, once again, Mara will be interviewing head-coaching candidates. The ones he has lined up in the past have hardly been inspiring:
- 2016: Ben McAdoo, Teryl Austin, Adam Gase, Doug Marrone, Mike Smith, Steve Spagnuolo
- 2018: Pat Shurmur, Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia, Steve Spagnuolo, Eric Studesville, Steve Wilks
- 2020: Joe Judge, Eric Bieniemy, Wink Martindale, Mike McCarthy, Matt Rhule, Kris Richard
- 2022: Brian Daboll, Lou Anarumo, Brian Flores, Leslie Frazier, Patrick Graham, Dan Quinn
THE INJURY REPORT:
- QB Jaxson Dart (Concussion/Non-Contact Participant – out)
- RB Eric Gray (Knee – questionable)
- WR Darius Slayton (Hamstring – probable)
- TE Thomas Fidone (Foot – out)
- DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (Toe/Elbow – probable)
- DL/OLB Chauncey Golston (Neck – probable)
- OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (Shoulder – out)
- ILB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Illness – probable)
- CB Paulson Adebo (Knee – out)
- CB Deonte Banks (Hip – questionable)
- CB Rico Payton (Illness – probable)
- CB Nic Jones (hamstring – probable)
- S Tyler Nubin (Neck – questionable)
GIANTS ON OFFENSE:
It’s clear to me that significant swaths of Giants fandom are still living in denial. This past week, there seemed to be little to no recognition by some in The Corner Forum that a team with Jameis Winston at quarterback and Wan’Dale Robinson, Isaiah Hodgins, and Jalin Hyatt at wide receiver are at a horrific disadvantage against ANY of the other 31 teams in the NFL. I don’t know if it is social media destroying brains, the wear-and-tear of a decade of losing, or something else, but get your heads out of your asses. Winston was lucky the defensive players on the Packers couldn’t catch, and Joe Schoen has done a miserable job with the wide receiver room. We have had games recently were only one receiver caught a pass and/or the top receiver had 50 yards in a game. It’s embarrassing, and it’s contributing significantly to losses.
Last Sunday, all a very good Packers’ defense had to do was load up and stop the run, but the Giants surprisingly put up nearly 150 rushing yards and dominated the time of possession against Green Bay. Personally, I was shocked and somewhat pleased with the outcome of the game. I expected a blowout, but somehow the Giants willed themselves to a 4th-quarter lead.
The Packers are currently 6th in defense. Enter the Detroit Lions who are 5th. And again, this is also going to be an angry bunch who just lost to the Eagles. And again, the game plan for them is obvious, stop the run. Make the receivers beat you.
Somewhat lost (maybe deliberately) in the discussion was just how incompetently the NFL and the New York Giants handled Jaxson Dart’s concussion last Sunday. In previous games (including the preseason) where Dart was clearly not injured, he was forced to undergo concussion examinations. But in a game where he was ACTUALLY clearly stunned and affected, not only did they not exam him right away, but he was allowed to go back into the game. As of Thursday’s practice, he still was not cleared. I would not play him against he Lions. I would give him more time.
But if Dart plays, I would minimize or eliminate any designed QB runs this week (you can’t prevent the ad hoc scrambles). The Giants will have to continue to mix rushing attempts by Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary with throws to the tight ends and backs. Isaiah Hodgins is limited, but he is somewhat reliable. Who knows what the team will get with Darius Slayton (hamstring)? He mostly disappears, but occasionally he rises to the occasion.
(Late note: Jaxson Dart has been ruled out of the game).
GIANTS ON DEFENSE:
Like Brian Daboll, Mike Kafka is encumbered with a terminal liability: Shane Bowen. But Daboll hired him and Kafka has not fired him. Perhaps Kafka has little to no say in retaining him. Perhaps there really is no one else on staff who can replace him. But the fact of the matter is that Bowen continues to sabotage potential wins and that does not look to change. His players also don’t play hard for him. No lead is safe. And I suspect Dan Campbell and the 5th-ranked Detroit offense is going to eat him up on Sunday.
GIANTS ON SPECIAL TEAMS:
Ex-New York Giant Kalif Raymond is one of the top returners in the game.
QUOTES:
More inspiring words from Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen: “Same story right now, fighting to fix it, fighting to find solutions for these guys, and being able to make the plays when we need them most.”
THE FINAL WORD:
Six more games.