Brian Daboll Hints at Change To Important Position For Week 8 vs Eagles
The New York Giants can’t seem to find a kicker that can stay healthy or consistent enough to help them win.
So it may be veteran Younghoe Koo’s turn to placekick after Jude McAtamney missed two crucial extra points in the Giants’ 33-32 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
McAtamney took over the role previously held by veteran Graham Gano, who was placed on injured reserve after injuring himself in warmups before New York’s 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3.
But McAtamney has missed three extra points in New York’s past two games, including his colossal wide-right kick after Jaxson Dart’s one-yard scramble put it ahead 32-30 with just 37 seconds left.
Denver kicker Wil Lutz nailed 39-yard field goal with no time on the clock to cap its 33-point fourth quarter and deal the Giants a devastating defeat.
The Giants (2-5) will take on the rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Brian Daboll Is Considering A Kicking Change
The Giants have the worst extra-point percentage (76.5) of any team in the NFL and have had three different players attempt extra points. Punter Jamie Gillan also missed an extra point while filling in for Gano against the Chiefs.
So when asked if he had made a decision about McAtamney for the Eagles game, Daboll did not back up the second-year kicker who is 10 for 13 on extra points in his two seasons.
“We’ll see where that goes here throughout the week,” Daboll said.
The Giants have had well-deserved trust issues in McAtamney since he was elevated from the practice squad after Gano’s injury. They are tied for second in the NFL in fourth-down attempts (16) despite the fact their fourth-down conversion percentage (50.0) is tied for 22nd in the league.
Graham Gano Could Return For The Eagles Game
Though Koo is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history (85.8 percent, 17th all time), he could again fall victim to a numbers game since Gano is eligible to be activated after sitting out the requisite four games.
Still, Gano has left the Giants high and dry mid-game twice in as many seasons. His injury before the Chiefs game doomed New York from scoring more points in a winnable game — the injury cost the Giants at least seven points since they did not convert two fourth downs in reasonable field-goal range in the second half, plus Gillan’s missed extra point.
Gano also was injured early in the Giants’ three-point loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 2 in 2024. Gillan also missed an extra point in that game, plus New York failed on a pair of two-point conversion attempts.
The Giants added Koo to develop a kicking competition after Gano went down, but he has not yet suited up in a game for them. Koo, 31, was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 19 after he missed a key 44-yard field goal in their three-point loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.
Still, Koo has missed just seven extra points in his career and none since Week 2 of the 2023 season.
Commanders Sign Familiar Face to Replace Dorance Armstrong Jr.
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The Washington Commanders signed a familiar face to replace injured DE Dorance Armstrong Jr.
Losing Dorance Armstrong Jr. for the season is the latest blow to a hit a Washington Commanders defense bleeding among every position group, but the Burgundy and Gold have at least moved quickly to replace the versatile defensive end and team sack leader, by signing a familiar face.
The Commanders brought back Jalyn Holmes on Tuesday, October 21 after Armstrong was sent to injured reserve. Both moves were confirmed by the team on X.
Holmes suited up for the Commanders in 14 games, including the playoffs, last season. He offers similar flexibility to Armstrong as a lineman who can play on the edge and also slide inside to D-tackle.
What Holmes won’t do is provide the same juice as a pass-rusher as Armstrong, who’d logged 5.5 sacks before suffering what proved to be a season-ending knee injury against former team the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7.
Armstrong’s ability to create pressure will be missed, but Holmes might offer more as an edge-setter against the run. Meanwhile, being without Armstrong should mean extended work for a more decorated pass-rusher.
Commanders Play Safe With Jalyn Holmes Move
Sticking with who they know makes some sense for the Commanders. Holmes is familiar with the schemes of head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., as well as being able to work alongside defensive line coach Darryl Tapp.
Those things might not be endorsements given how much the Commanders are struggling on the defensive side of the ball. They surrendered 44 points to the Cowboys, who moved the ball freely both through the air and on the ground.
Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for three touchdowns and was sacked just once. Running back Javonte Williams gained 116 yards on 19 carries and also found the end zone.
Both phases worked for the Cowboys because the Commanders generated too little pressure up front. Holmes is unlikely to change that because he only recorded a mere two sacks and as many pressures for the Commanders last season, per Pro Football Reference.
What the 6-foot-5, 283-pounder might do is provide some more solidity against the run. The Commanders are missing big-bodied edge defenders along the front after both Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Deatrich Wise Jr. suffered season-ending injuries.
Perhaps Holmes helps offset those losses, but the Commanders will need more dramatic solutions for adequately replacing Armstrong.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. Injury an Opportunity for 8-Time Pro Bowler
Some solid performances from 36-year-old Von Miller have been lost in all of the ineptitude embodied by Washington’s defense. The eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion has logged four sacks in seven games, including two in his last three outings.
Miller can still create havoc off the edge and make the big plays the Commanders are missing on this side of the ball. He was signed to be a situational pass-rusher, but the 2011 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year should see an uptick in his snap count while Armstrong is sidelined.
Turning Miller loose more often will make a sluggish pass rush better, while Holmes can add some much-needed beef on running downs. The combination can be a start of sorts to the Commanders fixing their widespread problems on defense.
