The New York Giants rallied late, but it wasn’t enough to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Monday Night Football” in Week 8. New York’s offense struggled consistently as the Giants made far too many inexcusable mistakes in Pittsburgh.
While Giants head coach Brian Daboll recently received a vote of confidence from team owner John Mara, it’s fair to wonder if a 2-6 start to the regular season will heat his seat a bit more in East Rutherford, N.J.
Penalties, Poor Play Doom New York Giants’ Offense
New York’s offense attempted to rally late against the Steelers, yet it was halted by Steelers All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones dropped back to pass on 3rd-and-7, and Watt was able to both force a fumble and recover it with 2:59 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Earlier in the fourth quarter, Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. scored a touchdown to make it a one-possession game, as New York trailed 23-15. However, the Giants failed miserably on an embarrassing two-point conversion attempt on the ensuing play.
I don't know what the heck I just watched, but this was an actual NFL play. pic.twitter.com/VftbXPk72W
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 29, 2024
Daboll’s questionable play-calling decision on New York’s failed two-point conversion attempt perfectly encapsulated the team’s offensive performance in New York. Jones was visibly heated following the questionable call as well.
Jones also had a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Manhertz negated by an illegal shift penalty on rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers in the second quarter. New York was ultimately forced to settle for a field goal, tying the game at 6-6.
The Giants would tie it up again at 9-9 but never led in the game.
While the box score certainly doesn’t indicate that the Giants struggled on offense, their stats were inflated by the team’s failed comeback attempt in the fourth quarter.
After playing turnover-free through the first three quarters, Jones turned the ball over twice when it mattered most. It has now been 1,072 days since he had a passing touchdown in a prime-time game.
If Daboll and the Giants are going to continue with Jones as the team’s starting quarterback, they are going to have to live with the consequences of doing so.
Is Brian Daboll on the Hot Seat?
In three seasons as the head coach of the Giants, Daboll has a coaching record of 17-24 in the regular season. While the Giants were able to shock the NFL and win a playoff game in 2022, that impressive season feels like an eternity ago.
Before New York’s loss in Pittsburgh on “Monday Night Football,” Mara issued a vote of confidence in both Daboll and Giants general manager Joe Schoen earlier in the week.
“Obviously, we’re all very disappointed with where we are right now,” Mara said on Wednesday night during an NFL Films event. “But I’m going to say one thing: We are not making any changes this season and I do not anticipate making any changes in the offseason either.”
While Mara appeared comfortable moving forward with the current regime on Wednesday, his opinion could certainly change over the next several months. If the Giants continue to struggle and Daboll’s offense looks undisciplined, Mara might be forced to make a change.
Before Tracy’s rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter on Monday night, New York went 23 consecutive drives without scoring a touchdown. Considering that Daboll is an offensive-minded head coach, that’s an embarrassing stat for Mara to have to process.
Big Blue Fans and Media Turn on Giants
Despite Mara’s belief in New York’s current regime, both the team’s fanbase and the media are beginning to turn on Daboll and the Giants. Although the Giants kept the game within one possession, there were several glaring mistakes made throughout the game.
New York was called for 11 penalties, including many that prevented the offense from moving the ball down the field. The team’s mistakes weren’t exclusively on offense, as Mike Forcella highlighted the questionable decision to bench cornerback Deonte Banks.
Such a poorly coached team. I also have no idea how it makes any sense to not bench Banks after last week but to bench him shortly after he saves a touchdown on an amazing effort play?? When will this clown show end. 😞😞
— Mike (@MikeForcella) October 29, 2024
The Giants currently sit at 2-6 with any hopes of a potential playoff run essentially coming to an end. This is especially frustrating given that New York had 394 total yards of offense and averaged 6.3 yards per rushing attempt against the Steelers.
Yet, it was all for nothing as Daboll’s Giants continued to be undisciplined when it mattered most. Connor Hughes of SNY highlighted the team’s penalties on offense, which combined with two turnovers to doom New York’s comeback attempt in Week 8.
New York’s performance on Monday night could spell the beginning of the end of Daboll’s tenure as head coach of the Giants as well.