New York Giants Fall to Washington Commanders Amid Kicking Woes
New York Giants Fall to Washington Commanders Amid Kicking Woes
The New York Giants endured a challenging Week 2, marked by a series of setbacks leading to a close 21-18 defeat against the Washington Commanders. The game unfolded with unexpected difficulties for the Giants from the very beginning.
Kicking Crisis
In what would set a grim tone for the match, kicker Graham Gano suffered a hamstring injury on the opening kickoff. The Giants' decision not to have a backup kicker quickly became a critical issue. With Gano unable to perform, the task of kicking fell to punter Jamie Gillan. Though Gillan valiantly attempted the team's first point after touchdown (P.A.T.), he missed the mark. This initial misstep forced the Giants to rethink their strategy for the remainder of the game.
Quarterback Daniel Jones was called upon to attempt two two-point conversions following the Giants' subsequent touchdowns. Unfortunately for New York, both attempts resulted in incomplete passes, further complicating their scoring efforts.
Washington's Record-Breaking Performance
On the other side of the field, the Washington Commanders capitalized on the Giants' misfortunes, with their kicker turning in an extraordinary performance. Washington’s kicker made seven field goals, setting a new franchise record. This remarkable achievement underscored the difference in special teams' efficiency between the two squads that day.
Emergency Measures
In response to their kicking crisis, the Giants acted swiftly, signing veteran kicker Greg Joseph from the Detroit Lions' practice squad the following Wednesday. Joseph, a 30-year-old with a varied NFL career, was seen as a much-needed solution to their immediate kicking woes.
Joseph's journey in the NFL has been a winding road. After initially failing to secure a position with the Green Bay Packers, he had stints with several teams, including the Cleveland Browns in 2018, the Tennessee Titans in 2019, and the Minnesota Vikings from 2021 to 2023. Throughout his career, Joseph has demonstrated moments of brilliance.
During the 2022 season, Joseph made five game-winning field goals for the Vikings. His most notable achievement came in Week 16 when he kicked a 61-yard game-winner against the Giants, marking the longest made field goal in Vikings history. This notable experience gives the Giants hope that Joseph can bring reliability to their special teams unit moving forward.
While the Giants' recent game was fraught with difficulties, the addition of Greg Joseph aims to stabilize their kicking game. As they navigate the season ahead, the experience and reliability that Joseph brings could very well make a significant difference in close contests.
The Giants' ordeal against the Washington Commanders serves as a stark reminder of the importance of special teams in the NFL. Addressing the kicking problem will be pivotal for the Giants as they look to bounce back from this early setback.
