There are ugly losses, and then there’s whatever you want to call what happened to the New York Giants in Week 1 against the Washington Commanders.
After an undefeated and impressive 3-0 preseason — where the Giants outscored opponents 107-47 — the regular season opener was anything but. Washington was always going to present a challenge, led by reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, but a 21-6 evisceration wasn’t exactly the expected outcome. And yet, that’s exactly what unfolded.
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Fans had every reason to expect more urgency from a team and head coach coming off a disastrous 3-14 campaign in 2024, where almost nothing went right. For those hoping 2025 would be different, the joke’s on them. And perhaps the biggest loser in all of this is owner John Mara’s patience, which was already worn thin after last season’s embarrassment. But that’s what happens when the G-Men follow up the worst season in franchise history with a six-point, 231-yard dud to open the next one.
John Mara must instantly regret giving Brian Daboll another shot
In the aftermath of whatever 2024 was, Mara infamously told reporters that his patience was already stretched with the Daboll and Joe Schoen regime. It stood out, considering he made the comment after deciding to bring them back for another year.
Well, you can bet the 70-year-old has to be wondering what the heck to do now after that Week 1 meltdown.
The defense wasn’t the issue. Going up against Jayden Daniels was never going to be easy, but overall, the unit held its own. The offense, on the other hand, couldn’t move the ball. The offensive line deserves most of the blame. New starting quarterback Russell Wilson couldn’t even get a fair evaluation because he was under pressure the second the ball was snapped. The ground game didn’t stand a chance either, with defensive linemen meeting backs at the handoff. It was a mess from start to finish.
Mara has to take a hard look in the mirror and seriously question whether keeping Daboll around much longer even makes sense. Is it an overreaction? Maybe. Is it justified? Absolutely. Just look back to 2024 — a similar setup where there was some intrigue, only for it to be obliterated in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. That year opened with a 28-6 loss, and the season spiraled from there.
Firing a head coach after Week 1 would be bold. But it wouldn’t be unjustified. The Giants can’t afford another wasted year. Daboll might’ve just burned the last of Mara’s patience, and it’s not looking great for the fourth-year coach.