The New York Giants keep finding new ways to lose games. Look no further than Sunday as they hit the road to take on the Detroit Lions, a Super Bowl-contending team entering the season. Much like the Giants have done to other playoff hopefuls, they actually had a double-digit fourth-quarter lead. But they ended up suffering their fifth loss despite that fact, losing 34-27 in overtime.
What ended up being the dagger to the Giants was Detroit's first play in overtime. Jared Goff handed the football off to running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who took it 69 yards to the house. It was notable not only because it lost them the game, but star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence wasn't on the field for that play. Let's not forget that Lawrence wasn't on the field late in their loss to the Denver Broncos earlier in the season. Was it a case of déjà vu?
Dexter Lawrence was not in the game on that 69-yard touchdown from Gibbs …
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) November 23, 2025
That was a problem for Shane Bowen in the #Broncos game, too, and a point of contention for the Giants internally, I’m told.
Giants fans immediately began pointing the finger of blame at defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who has not endeared himself. After all, despite the talent they have on defense, they rank near the bottom of the entire league, and he is responsible for five losses despite leading by double digits in the fourth quarter. Even franchise legend Carl Banks couldn't believe it as he called the game live. Did Bowen suffer from a brain fart?
Head coach Mike Kafka cleared up any misconceptions.
Mike Kafka says Dexter Lawrence wasn't on field in OT vs. Lions due to injury
After the game, Kafka fielded questions from reporters. One question was why Lawrence, one of their best players, wasn't on the field for their first defensive play of overtime. Kafka said that Lawrence was "nicked" and that they were limiting him to just third downs for overtime. Kafka said the injury flared up during the fourth quarter.
Kafka said Dexter Lawrence was “nicked” so they were holding him out for third downs. That’s why Kafka said he wasn’t on the field for the first play of OT.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) November 23, 2025
There was at least a reason why Lawrence wasn't on the field during a crucial portion of the game. It wasn't Bowen or Kafka deciding to go with a different strategy. Simply, they didn't want to put too much pressure on Lawrence and risk further injury.
In the game, Lawrence recorded just one total tackle and one quarterback hit. On what has been a disappointing year, Lawrence had just 23 tackles, six quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks. Not exactly the numbers Giants fans expect from Lawrence heading into this season.
As the Giants deal with their 10th loss of the season and their playoff hopes officially disappear, Kafka provided clarity on why their star interior defensive lineman was standing on the sidelines in overtime.