New York Giants Coach Brian Daboll expressed confidence in his team’s capability and tenacity after their triumph against the Indianapolis Colts with a score of 45-33, breaking a 10-game losing streak. These sentiments were echoed at a news conference, indicating the possibility that Daboll’s words were intended for the Giants’ owners, who are set to decide his future with the team after the season wraps up. Despite Brian’s affirmation of his team’s determination and work ethic, there’s no guarantee the owners will heed his case for continuity.
Contrasting his predecessors, Joe Judge, the Giant’s performance and Daboll’s taciturn demeanor, Daboll verbalized his pride in the team’s performance throughout the season, particularly as they broke the streak. Notably, Daboll eluded comparison with Judge, who got fired after a four-game win and a 13-game loss in his second season. How the owners will interpret Daboll’s message remains to be seen, considering the team’s apparent improvement leading to the prevention of the Giants’ first winless season at home in 50 years.
While applauding the team, Daboll stressed better quarterback play as a primary factor for the team’s success. Having been employed partly due to his efforts developing Josh Allen into a constantly competitive candidate from being a raw prospect, he steered Daniel Jones into getting the best season of his career during his first season. However, his competence was questioned after Jones, now working with a four-year contract worth $160 million, got dismissed after two dismal runs.
The situation improved dramatically on Sunday when backup quarterback Drew Lock completed 17-of-23 passes for 309 yards, producing four touchdowns besides a rushing touchdown, and had no interceptions. This effectuated the Giants to attain their highest scoring effort since 2015. Despite this, Lock’s performance thwarted Daboll’s chances of engaging Tony Ward or Shedeur Sanders, top quarterbacks, if he remains for a fourth season. Meanwhile, speculations concerning the coach’s and general manager Joe Schoen’s futures as two independent entities are emerging.
Daboll acknowledged that he shares accountability for the dismaying quarterbacks’ performance, tarnishing his reputation as a quarterback guru. The impact of the final game of the 3-13 Giants against the Eagles, who have already secured the NFC East title and the NFC’s No.2 seed, will not influence the owners’ decision on Daboll and the GM’s tenure. But by maintaining his team’s tenacity, he can still gain the owners’ approval and ensure he remains as the coach.
In all fairness, the Giants are not intentionally losing games. Instead, they maintained their full effort at all times, even though they made losing appear effortless. Eventually, they had a breakout performance from wide receiver rookie Malik Nabers, with 171 yards and two touchdowns from his seven catches, and Brian Burns exerting consistent force through the season which culminated into him pressuring Colt’s quarterback Joe Flacco into a game-sealing interception by Dru Phillips. Despite Sunday’s win potentially damaging the team’s draft status, the players opposed tanking for drafts and focused more on winning games.
Suffice it to say, Nabers’ talent could make an elite quarterback optional. In Sunday’s game, he took a screen from Lock in the first quarter, snapped a tackle, and raced for a 31-yard score. Another touchdown followed a curl route before working his magic to outplay two defenders. He also added a 34-yard grab and a 19-yard back-shoulder fade to the game. The game also saw Tyrone Tracy contribute a 40-yard run, increasing his rushing total to 780 yards and his receiving total to 277 yards, making him and Nabors the third rookie teammates to gain 1,000 yards from scrimmage in NFL history.
Lastly, there was a halt to the custom of banner messages targeting the state of the franchise for the third straight home game, which led to the team owners’ embarrassment being averted. The banners were intended to advocate for a sweep in the organization’s management or the sell-off of the team.
