The New York Giants may have had their statement win of the season this past Sunday, as they defeated the Houston Texans 27-21 in overtime. There were plenty of positves, such as the play of new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Cam Skattebo's reemergence after getting benched the previous week. But if there was one negative of the Week 7 victory, it was kicker Dominic Zvada.
In the first half, Zvada had two opportunities to extend the Giants' lead. His first attempt, a 56-yarder, flew wide right. His second field goal kick, a 44-yarder, again sailed wide right. After that, head coach John Harbaugh appeared to lose faith in the rookie kicker, as he opted against another field goal attempt at one point, instead opting to take a delay of game to punt instead of going for a 55-yard kick.
Considering how the rest of the game transpired, and with the bye week coming up, it felt like a given the Giants would bring in some kickers for tryouts as a way to push Zvada. But, it doesn't seem like that's going to happen.
John Harbaugh says he's not worried about Dominic Zvada after rough Week 7
While speaking with reporters after the win, Harbaugh expressed he wasn't too worried about Zvada, citing that he's only a rookie.
"He'll be fine. I'm not really worried about Zvada," said Harbaugh. "He's got to go do it, but I'm totally confident he will because I know how good he is. I know what a good head he has. I do think it's part of the growing pains for a young kicker and he'll get it straight. But man, just put your foot in the ground, follow through the right way, and pound that thing right through the middle of the uprights."
Based on Harbaugh's comments, it doesn't appear the team will be signing another kicker in the next couple of weeks. Rather, he believes Zvada needs to work on his mechanics a bit, which could then lead him to landing his field goal attempts through the middle of the uprights.
It's possible he can find a way out of his struggles. The Giants will need him to, especially since their first two games after the bye are against the rival Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, and wins against both could help them build a larger cushion between them for first place in the NFC East. Not only that, but both of those games are four days apart. The last thing the GIants need is for kicking woes to cost them victories.
Dominic Zvada has earned John Harbaugh's trust, despite rough stretch
Through the first four weeks of the season, Zvada proved that Harbaugh's decision to name him the starting kicker out of trianing camp was the correct one, as he was a perfect nine-for-nine on field goal attempts. Then once Week 5 rolled around, Zvada's momentum stalled out.
Facing the Commanders in rainy Landover, Zvada missed 46, 50, and 57 yard field goal attempts. It was too difficult to blame it on the yips, considering the weather conditions.
The following week, Zvada didn't have many field goal attempts due in part to the Giants not being able to do much after allowing 34 unanswered points to the Saints, despite the fourth quarter comeback. But Zvada did make both of his field goal attempts.
Then, there was his rough start in Houston, and Giants fans remember how that panned out.
Zvada has shown he can be trusted and a reliable kicker early on this season. Giants fans know all too well what it's like to not have a reliable option at kicker. Look at last season when they had to endure Graham Gano, Jude McAtamney, Younghoe Koo, and Ben Sauls. Zvada is nowhere near that level. But if his struggles continue after the bye and he costs them wins, it will only be a matter of time until kicking competition arrives in East Rutherford.
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