Grading the Giants’ 27-20 home loss to the Packers on Sunday:
1. Mike Kafka said that had the Giants scored late in the fourth quarter to pull within 27-26, he would have gone for the two-point conversion and the win, rather than kick the extra point to likely force overtime. That would have been something to see, considering Brian Daboll won his head coaching debut in the 2022 season opener by boldly going for two to win in Nashville. Of course, with this team, Kafka did not get the chance to go for it. He did go for it on fourth down three times, and the offense converted three times. This is a good thing. He inherited a team with a record of 2-8. He can’t be reckless, but it is not as if one of his decisions is going to make or break a playoff berth. Now, if only his players could cash in on some of these gambles by the new guy in charge.
2. The Giants run defense is pathetic. When Jordan Love went out with a left shoulder issue late in the first quarter, he was replaced by Malik Willis. It was second-and-16 from the Giants 40-yard line, and it sure seemed likely the Packers would keep the ball on the ground. After all, Willis had not thrown a pass all season. The Giants should have been geared up for this, but they failed miserably. Willis on third down ran for 16 yards and a first down to continue what would be a touchdown drive. The Packers ended up averaging 5.6 yards per rushing attempt. That they totaled just 128 yards was because they only ran it 23 times. The Packers came into the game 20th in the NFL in rushing, averaging 111.9 yards per game. They lost their leading rusher, Josh Jacobs (7-40), to a knee injury in the first half.
Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) runs for a touchdown against New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (2) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
3. A day earlier, the Giants finally pulled the plug on failed draft pick Evan Neal. The offensive tackle turned guard turned bench warmer did not play a snap this season, and this should end a wasted four years for the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft. A day later, Deonte Banks took the field, forced to start again because Paulson Adebo reinjured his knee in warmups. You can’t make this stuff up. Banks is on his way to joining Neal as a wasted pick — he went No. 24 in 2023. Banks was in tight coverage with Christian Watson in the end zone early in the second quarter, and Love fired a fastball between the two players. Banks, as he is wont to do, did not react to the ball in the air, and Watson had a 1-yard touchdown reception. On Emanuel Wilson’s 11-yard TD run, Banks did not exactly give maximum effort.