Giants’ Brian Daboll Under Fire for ‘Ridiculous’ Call That Cost Them vs. 49ers
In the aftermath of a 34‑24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Brian Daboll, head coach of the New York Giants, has come under fire for a decision that many are calling "ridiculous." The move, involving his rookie quarterback
The Decision That Sparked Outrage
With the game hanging in the balance, the Giants found themselves inside the 49ers’ 30‑yard line, ready to make a move. Instead of taking a shot downfield or using a more aggressive play‑call, Daboll opted for a
“It’s tough. We needed to make a play there. We had momentum, but that decision really killed it,”
said Jaxson Dart, the rookie quarterback who was leading the offense. “I thought we had the chance to make something happen. We’re moving the ball, but those missed opportunities are hard to swallow.”
This decision to avoid a bold move at a pivotal moment left many questioning whether Daboll had confidence in his young quarterback. Dart, who has shown promise in his rookie season, had already demonstrated the ability to lead the team effectively but was left to sit on the sidelines for a key play when it mattered most.
Why Fans and Analysts Are Upset
The backlash has been swift from fans and analysts alike, with many pointing out that the Giants' offense had been clicking, especially with Dart’s growing chemistry with his receiving corps. Critics argued that a more aggressive approach could have put the game back in their favor.
“Dart has been playing his heart out. It’s frustrating to see them hold him back when the team needed it most,” said Sterling Shepard, the Giants’ wide receiver. “We have to trust in the guy who’s leading us. He’s earned that.”
Daboll Takes Responsibility
In his postgame comments, Daboll acknowledged the mistake and took responsibility for the team’s inability to execute in those crucial moments.
“At the end of the day, I’m the one making those decisions,”
said Brian Daboll. “We have to execute better. I didn’t put our guys in the best position, and that’s something I need to fix. We can’t make those same mistakes in the future.”
Daboll’s honesty in admitting the error didn’t fully appease fans or analysts, but it did provide a glimpse of accountability in a game where many felt the coach’s play‑calling left a lot to be desired.
The Bigger Issue: Supporting Cast Around Dart
While Dart’s performance showed potential, it was clear that the supporting cast — particularly the offensive line and the lack of explosive playmakers — couldn’t match his drive. Even as the Giants showed flashes of brilliance, they seemed to falter when it mattered most, and many believe Daboll’s conservative approach played a big part in that.
“We’ve got to do better for Jaxson. He’s putting in the work; we owe it to him to execute those key plays,” said Saquon Barkley, the Giants’ star running back.
“We’re all learning, but we’ve got to trust ourselves and trust each other more when it’s crunch time.”
What’s Next for the Giants?
The decision to hold back Dart in favor of a safer play calls into question the future direction of the Giants’ offensive strategy. With the team sitting at
“We’re not here for moral victories,” Dart said after the game. “We know we have the talent, but we need to execute better as a team. If we’re going to turn this around, it starts with us trusting each other and taking chances when they’re needed.”
For Brian Daboll, the time for reflection is over. With a critical stretch of games coming up, his ability to adapt, put trust in his rookie quarterback, and make bolder decisions could determine not only the Giants’ season but his future with the team.
Final Thoughts
While Jaxson Dart’s future is still bright, the Giants’ inability to seize a key moment in such a winnable game is concerning. If Daboll and his staff don’t fix the offensive missteps — both in decision‑making and execution — the Giants will find themselves slipping further away from playoff contention, regardless of how well Dart performs.
49ers trade deadline plans are now obvious after latest injury update
The San Francisco 49ers notched another win on Sunday, moving to 6-3 after defeating the New York Giants 34-24. While winning has been a theme for the Niners this season, so have significant injuries. Unfortunately, San Francisco experienced both in Week 9.
The major injury in this game happened to Mykel Williams, who is feared to have suffered a torn ACL.
The rookie edge defender will be the latest key player the 49ers lose for the season, and also the latest edge in San Francisco to go down with an injury. The Niners were already thin at that position and were expected to acquire an edge defender ahead of the trade deadline, but now they may be forced to make a trade if Williams is out for the remainder of the year.
Early in the season, San Francisco lost perennial Pro Bowler and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa to an ACL injury. Bosa’s absence put a strain on the group, and that strain was intensified when Bryce Huff went down with a hamstring injury in Week 7. Huff is expected to return this year, but he has missed the last two games, leaving the 49ers without much of a pass rush.
Now, Williams has joined his veterans on the injury report, and San Francisco has no choice but to add a veteran edge defender. Fortunately for the Niners, there are options. The most likely options both play for the Miami Dolphins, who have officially opened up for business after falling to 2-7 and firing their general manager. Outside linebackers Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon are both trade candidates, and San Francisco could actually use both of them.
With the trade deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the 49ers will surely be active up until that point.
San Francisco clearly has a competitive team, so it needs to try and fill the gaps while it can.