The New York Giants haven’t been able to find the same magic in the 2023 season as they showed throughout the 2022 campaign. Everything went right for them last season, while very little has this time around.
In Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams, they fell just short of another victory. Hosting the Rams at MetLife Stadium, the Giants lost 26-25 as their comeback attempt fell just short at the end of the game.
Veteran kicker Mason Crosby’s 54-yard attempt with 34 seconds remaining in the game missed wide left. It was a decision that head coach Brian Daboll discussed openly after the game, as New York’s playcalling came under fire.
NFL News & Rumors: Brian Daboll, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants Updates
“The typically buttoned-up Daboll responded candidly — “Yeah, I’d like to have it back” — after SNY reporter Connor Hughes asked him to explain the decision to run the ball with Saquon Barkley after spiking it and stopping the clock on the LAR 34-yard line at 42 seconds remaining.
After Hughes followed up by wondering if that was a check, or if the play was called by the coaching staff, Daboll simply reiterated that “I’d just like to have the play back.” He also noted that the Giants were “right at the edge” of Mason Crosby’s field goal range around the LAR 34-yard line.” (H/T Heavy)
The Giants had found some success moving the ball down the field as Tyrod Taylor was using his arm and legs to get the team in position to win the game. His 31-yard run set the team up in good position for the game-winning field goal, but the play-calling after that left a lot to be desired.
NFL News & Rumors: Brian Daboll, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants Updates
New York seemingly was comfortable enough sending Crosby out for a long field goal instead of attempting to push the ball downfield more. After Taylor spiked the ball to stop the clock on first down, a run was called for Saquon Barkley as he was stopped for a two-yard loss.
On third-and-12 without a timeout remaining, a pass play was called, which went incomplete as Taylor targeted Wan’Dale Robinson. That led to the long field goal, which Crosby missed and resulted in the Giants’ 11th loss of the season.
While Daboll, his staff and the players aren’t worried about draft positioning, losing that game wasn’t the worst outcome for the long-term outlook of the franchise. The more losing the Giants do, the better positioned they will be to select a franchise quarterback in a deep 2024 draft class.
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