On a bleak Sunday at MetLife Stadium, the New York Giants suffered a crushing 30-7 defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The loss, marked by missed opportunities and glaring mistakes, highlighted a team in disarray. For head coach Brian Daboll, the explanation was simple yet sobering: “They did everything better than we did today.”
The Giants’ offensive struggles were evident from the start. The team’s first-half drives ended with a series of punts and a turnover on downs, accumulating just 46 yards on 18 plays. Quarterback Tommy DeVito, making his first start since the team moved on from Daniel Jones, faced relentless pressure. Sacked four times and hit on nine occasions, DeVito could not ignite the spark Big Blue desperately needed.
“They played well, and we didn’t play well,” Daboll said, reflecting on the offensive performance. “You get down 23-0, and it changes the complexion of the game. Just not good enough, and that all starts with me.”
Despite a halftime adjustment that led to the team’s lone touchdown, Daboll admitted, “We started out slow, and things compounded. Battled there in the second half, but ultimately not good enough.”
DeVito’s Tough Day and Questions at Quarterback
DeVito’s performance under center was marred by the Buccaneers’ unyielding defense. The second-year quarterback completed only sporadic passes, unable to establish a rhythm. For Daboll, the decision to keep DeVito as the starter for the upcoming Thanksgiving game against Dallas hinges on his health.
“If he’s healthy and ready to go, he will be,” Daboll said.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers, expected to be a focal point of the offense, was notably absent from the first-half game plan. Daboll attributed this to limited opportunities and Tampa Bay’s effective defensive schemes. “Certainly had some [plays] dialed up… but they had a better coverage for the play,” he explained.
The decision to release Jones earlier in the week loomed over Sunday’s game. Yet, Daboll stood firm in his decision, dismissing concerns about its impact on the locker room. “We’ve moved on here,” he stated. “We just gotta do a better job, play better all around.”
Defensive Struggles Amplify Giants’ Woes
While the offense faltered, the defense fared no better. The Buccaneers, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, sliced through the Giants’ defense with ease. Mayfield completed 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards, while Tampa Bay’s rushing attack added 156 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
“We gotta do a better job of tackling,” Daboll admitted. “We missed a bunch today. It’s something we focused on, obviously not good enough.”
The Giants’ inability to make critical tackles was a recurring theme. Daboll dismissed the notion that effort was the issue, instead pointing to technical breakdowns and Tampa Bay’s ability to evade defenders. “I’d say we missed some tackles,” he said. “They made us miss and had some opportunities… certainly not good enough.”
Third-down efficiency also plagued the defense, as the Buccaneers converted 6 of 11 attempts and capitalized on 1 of 2 fourth-down opportunities. For Daboll, these shortcomings underscored the team’s broader challenges, emphasizing that the responsibility ultimately lies with him.
Future Uncertain Amidst Mounting Losses
With the loss, the Giants dropped to 2-9 on the season, their playoff hopes all but extinguished. Despite the mounting defeats, Daboll expressed confidence in his team’s resilience. “I don’t question our guys,” he said. “We gotta do things better, but I don’t question their fight.”
The head coach also downplayed concerns about his job security, choosing instead to focus on finding solutions. “How are we gonna make it better?” he said when asked about his mindset. “We’ll focus on getting better for next week.”
Thanksgiving Matchup Looms
As the Giants prepare for their Thanksgiving clash with the Dallas Cowboys, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With DeVito likely to start under center, Daboll and his coaching staff face the daunting task of addressing the team’s glaring deficiencies. From tackling fundamentals to offensive consistency, the to-do list is extensive.
For now, the Giants remain a team in flux, searching for answers in a season that has gone from bad to worse. As Daboll put it succinctly: “We just gotta play better.”
