It took all of two games for New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka to land in the crosshairs of a hot debate about a late-game decision. This one, of course, Kafka’s decision to try for the touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line with three minutes left and the Giants trying to protect a three-point lead against the Detroit Lions.
The Giants failed, of course, Jake Bates barely made a 59-yard field goal to force overtime and the Giants lost, 34-27.
“Our decision was a correct one. I stand by it,” Kafka said after the game. “We took points to go up 10 points.”
This is the point I have been making on social media. Kafka went for the one way he knew the Giants could win despite a defense that has again and again come up short in big spots — by trying to establish a two-score lead with less than three minutes to play.
“We did want to be aggressive,” Kafka said of the fourth down call, which saw quarterback Jameis Winston fail to connect with tight end Theo Johnson in the back of the end zone. “Wanted to just go up two scores.”
Here is one analytical model that agreed with the decision:
Here is one that did not:
Confidence in Giants’ DC Shane Bowen?
This was the fifth time this season the Giants have blown a double-digit lead. It was the third week in a row the Giants held a fourth-quarter lead and did not win the game.
“This is a team game,” Kafka said. “Everybody’s got to work together on it, special teams, offense, defense. So, there’s not one group. It’s all of us. It’s the players, it’s the coaches, it’s the staff, it’s the whole organization finding a way to win. And so, we’ve got to find ways to get better, find a way to create an edge for ourselves and that’s what we’re going to do as a – myself, I’m going to evaluate everything. Across the board, where can we find an edge to go win a football game? That’s where we’re at right now.”
Kafka defended embattled defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
“I have a lot of confidence in Shane and his entire staff,” Kafka said.
We will see on Monday morning if Kafka truly means that.
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