Siri, fast forward to 2026, please.
After surrendering another 30-plus points for the third straight week, the New York Giants fell to 2-7, following a 34-24 loss to the 49ers — a game that felt over the second it got hard. If the 33-point collapse in Denver didn’t sell you on change, and the 38-20 embarrassment in Philadelphia didn’t either, what will?
Before kickoff, a banner flew over MetLife Stadium with a message loud enough for ownership to hear: “Mr. Mara, enough is enough. Clean house.” Hours later, the team proved that the message was spot on... again. They played like a team with no answers, no identity, and no interest in figuring it out.
It’s getting harder to find anything redeemable week to week, but there were a few. Not many, and not enough to matter, but enough to spotlight. Because when a team spirals like this, it becomes pretty clear who’s trying to fix it... and who’s just making it worse.
3 winners (and 5 losers) from Giants' embarrassment vs 49ers
Winner No. 1: Jaxson Dart's OROY case
The garbage-time stats are going to help him out here big time, but finishing the night 24-of-33 for 191 yards, two passing touchdowns, 56 rushing yards, and a score via the legs department looks great on paper. The stats haven’t done much to help with the winning, and that’s kind of the problem.
Related: 4 takeaways from Jaxson Dart’s bland performance in Giants’ Week 9 mess
But for the voters, winning would be more like icing on the top, more than anything else. Dart has 1,175 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions, with 251 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He’s already won Rookie of the Month for October... might as well add the year as well.
Winner No. 2: Devin Singletary sighting
Much like a whale watch off the northeast coast, you can’t guarantee a Singletary sighting — but when one surfaces, it’s worth the wait. It was nice to see the 28-year-old finally bring some much-needed pop to the offense after being nonexistent for a year-plus. He finished the night with 43 rushing yards on eight carries and eight receiving yards.
The returns were modest, but it was the first time he had eclipsed 50-plus scrimmage yards since Week 3 of 2024. He ran hard and proved to fans he’ll be a reliable backup while rookie running back Cam Skattebo recovers from a season-ending ankle injury.
Winner No. 3: Jalin Hyatt's relevance
At least the 24-year-old wasn’t listed as inactive this week. The third-year wideout didn’t see an offensive snap, but he did get some return game action going. And while that’s a far cry from the role he’d like to have, at least he’s seeing the field. The 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner had four kick returns for 111 yards. Not too shabby. However, moving him could prove useful to Big Blue for other reasons.
This might be a trade-saving throw from the G-Men. Maybe Hyatt the receiver isn’t worth a trade, but perhaps Hyatt the receiver and kick returner could be. Regardless, welcome back to the field.
Loser No. 1: Shane Bowen's job security
If it feels like I’ve been pounding the drum over Bowen’s job security the past couple of weeks, it’s because I have. And here we are again. Another week, another defensive nightmare put on by Bowen’s group.
The Giants have given up 105 points in the past three games alone. That alone is a fireable offense. But once again, the run defense was nowhere to be found. There were no in-game adjustments. Look no further than Bowen’s unit making backup quarterback Mac Jones look like an MVP out there. It’s ridiculous. It’s weekly. It needs to stop.
Loser No. 2: Mike Kafka's offensive playcalling
If offensive coordinator Mike Kafka’s offense had a flavor, it would be vanilla. It’s not easy creating a playbook without Leek and Skatt, but that’s his job. He’s literally paid to do exactly that. And he can’t. He’s been unable to build a competent offense around his rookie quarterback and that’s a problem.
Even with a banged-up San Fran defense, Kafka’s unit couldn’t move the football down the field. The final score and total yards make it look a lot better than the game suggested. Aside from a successful first drive, the offense looked middling at best.
Loser No. 3: Wan'Dale Robinson running forward
Why is it that when Wan’Dale Robinson catches the football, he feels the need to turn around and run backwards before attempting to move forward? He seemingly did that on all nine of his receptions. He ended the afternoon with 46 yards, but could have had a lot more had he just caught the ball and gone north.
Loder No. 4: Tyler Nubin's sophomore slump
Nubin’s lack of top-end speed and short-area quickness are getting exposed weekly. He takes terrible angles to tackles and blows gap assignments regularly. What looked like a strong rookie year has turned into a sophomore slump of epic proportions.
The 49ers took advantage of his lack of athleticism all game. They threw at him, ran at him, and gave every other team the blueprint on how to attack him. They proved he might be nothing more than a box safety, which is a nightmare because players need versatility to last.
Loser No. 5: Brian Daboll
Duh. The buck stops here. Everything that’s wrong with the G-Men starts and stops here. Dabs just has to be better. It’s like watching the same game every week. So putting up another stinker means the head coach is a loser.
It’s becoming apparent that Daboll isn’t suited to be a head coach — at least not for the Giants. Since their magical playoff run in 2022, the 50-year-old has gone 11-31. That’s just not good enough. The same frustrating issues keep popping up, and the inability to elevate the team or make adjustments will inevitably end his tenure in East Rutherford.