On a night when almost everything went wrong for the New York Giants, one moment stood out - and not in a good way. Kicker Younghoe Koo became the unexpected center of attention after a botched 47-yard field goal attempt that quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons.
With the Giants trailing 17-7 and looking to cut the deficit, Koo lined up for what should have been a routine kick. Instead, he planted awkwardly, struck the turf, and never made contact with the ball.
The play instantly devolved into chaos as holder Jamie Gillan - who had already endured a rough night after a 94-yard kick return touchdown on his watch - scooped up the ball and tried to salvage the play by scrambling for a receiver. He didn’t get far before the Patriots’ special teams swarmed him.
After the game, Koo explained that he thought the ball was moving when Gillan placed it, throwing off his timing. He also cited the cold weather as a factor in the miscue. But excuses aside, the moment became instant meme material - and it didn’t take long for the NFL world to weigh in.
Among those breaking down the play were Travis and Jason Kelce on their New Heights podcast. The brothers, never short on insight or entertainment, took a deep dive into the mechanics of the miss - and who, if anyone, deserved the blame.
“We’ve got Giants holder Jamie Gillan for making the best of whatever that was,” Jason said, introducing Gillan as a nominee for their ‘Stamp of the Week’ - an award they give out for standout performances. But Jason wasn’t exactly sold on Gillan’s heroics. “I mean, he’s the reason that happened,” he added.
Jason, a former All-Pro center who knows a thing or two about snapping and holds, pointed to the snap-hold exchange as a key issue. “The snapper, the ball slips when he puts it down and he had to readjust it and I think it spooked the kicker,” he explained.
“I do think [Koo] also just messed up though. Even if you see that, why do you do that?”
Travis, ever the technician, added his own layer of analysis, focusing on Koo’s mechanics. “I think that lead step is just a little too far out in front of that football,” he said.
“When you get too far out, now you’ve got to be steep at the ball. You’ve got to bring that left hip out - he kept it a little too closed.
You’re not allowing yourself through the ball.”
Jason couldn’t help but laugh at his brother’s breakdown. “Look at how analytical you’re getting,” he said, before ultimately deciding that Gillan didn’t deserve the weekly honors. “It wasn’t a great hold.”
On the sidelines, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart captured the mood perfectly. Cameras caught him turning away in frustration, appearing to mutter “oh my god” as the opportunity to cut the lead slipped away - literally.
The moment also drew live reactions from the ManningCast broadcast, where Peyton and Eli Manning were joined by actor Danny DeVito. Peyton was stunned: “The kicker tripped trying to kick the field goal.
I have not seen that, ever.” Eli couldn’t resist a jab, comparing it to one of Peyton’s errant golf shots: “It’s all grass!”
Even veteran broadcaster Troy Aikman, calling the game for ESPN, was taken aback. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that,” he said flatly.
And former NFL punter turned media personality Pat McAfee summed it up with a tweet that echoed what many were thinking: “That was a TOUGH situation for Younghoe Koo. The bottom of the football slipping is a NIGHTMARE.”
In a game where the Giants were already struggling, the field goal fiasco became the defining moment - not just for the scoreboard, but for the highlight reels (and lowlight reels) that will live on long after the final whistle.