The New York Giants have fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, one day after his defense squandered another 10-point fourth-quarter lead, their fourth such loss of the season and fifth in which they had a double-digit lead on the road.
The decision, made by interim head coach Mike Kafka, was first reported by Art Stapleton of USA TODAY and NorthJersey.com.
Following the latest collapse, in which Bowen’s defense surrendered 17 unanswered points in a 34-27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Kafka expressed faith in the defensive coordinator — although it was clearly postgame lip service.
“Yeah, I do. I have a lot of confidence in Shane and his entire staff,” he told reporters.
Not so much, apparently.
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Bowen has drawn heavy criticism this season for his unit’s inability to close out games, which previously led to the firing of head coach Brian Daboll — something the coordinator shouldered blame for.
For Kafka, he had little choice but to move on from Bowen with his own Giants future hanging in the balance. He positioned the team to win in each of his first two games in the interim role, only for the defense to bend, falter, and break in key moments.
On Sunday, the Giants became the only team to lose this season after posting 500-plus yards of total offense. Their four losses after being up 10-plus points in the fourth quarter also tied an all-time NFL record for futility.
