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For the New York Giants, heartbreak has become routine. Week 10’s 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears was another brutal reminder of how far this franchise has fallen from its gritty, disciplined identity. Once again, the Giants held a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. Once again, they made all the wrong decisions down the stretch. And of course, they again walked off the field beaten, confused, and pointing fingers.
The Giants appeared in control for most of the game. They built a 17-10 lead behind a poised performance from quarterback Jaxson Dart. When Dart exited in the fourth quarter with a concussion, though, everything unraveled. Backup Russell Wilson couldn’t sustain drives, the defense fell apart, and head coach Brian Daboll’s conservative play-calling proved costly. Caleb Williams orchestrated two late touchdown drives. That was capped by a 17-yard scoring run that sealed yet another fourth-quarter collapse.
Now at 2-8, the Giants’ season has effectively imploded. What was once viewed as a rebuilding year filled with promise under Dart has devolved into a parade of missteps and missed opportunities. Sunday’s debacle in Chicago served as the defining low point.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the New York Giants most to blame for their latest epic collapse vs. Bears.
Daboll’s fingerprints were all over this collapse. With his team leading late and facing fourth-and-goal at the Bears’ one-yard line, Daboll made the kind of decision that haunts locker rooms: he kicked a field goal. Instead of putting the game away with a potential two-touchdown lead, he opted for three points. That handed Chicago just enough oxygen to mount a comeback.
On paper, the decision extended the lead to 20-10. In reality, it signaled a lack of killer instinct. The Bears marched downfield on the next possession. It cut the deficit in half, and suddenly the Giants were on their heels. Former players and fans alike blasted Daboll on social media. They called out the conservatism that has plagued his late-game approach all season.
Even worse, Daboll declined a fourth-and-goal penalty with just over 10 minutes remaining. It would have given the Giants another shot at a touchdown from inside the one. Instead, he settled for a 19-yard Younghoe Koo field goal. The Giants never scored again. The Bears scored twice.
The defense was supposed to be the backbone of this Giants team. Instead, it’s become their Achilles’ heel.
With just over six minutes left and a 10-point lead, the Giants’ defense had Chicago pinned deep at its own nine-yard line. Statistically, the Giants had a 94 percent chance to win. However, the Bears and shredded those odds in a hurry. Williams engineered a 91-yard, nine-play touchdown drive, then a 53-yard, four-play march for the game-winner.
The Giants pressured Williams 15 times. However, they couldn’t finish. Time and again, he slipped through tackles, extended plays, and found open receivers downfield. On the final drive, Williams’ 17-yard...
