Giants' Special Teams Spiral Continues: Missed Kicks, Costly Returns, and a New Rookie Kicker
There’s no way to sugarcoat it - the New York Giants’ special teams unit is in a full-blown tailspin. Over the past few weeks, this phase of the game, often overlooked until it breaks down, has been nothing short of a liability for Big Blue.
Let’s start with the most glaring issues: back-to-back weeks of giving up massive punt return touchdowns. Against Washington, it was Jaylin Lane who took one 63 yards to the house.
The week before that, Marcus Jones of the Patriots torched the Giants for a 94-yard score. That’s two weeks, two game-changing plays, and a whole lot of questions about coverage discipline and tackling fundamentals.
And it doesn’t stop there. Two weeks ago, a botched field goal attempt led to punter and holder Jamie Gillan getting hurt.
Then came the implosion from kicker Younghoe Koo - two missed field goals from 51 and 52 yards out last week. That was the final straw.
Koo was cut, and the Giants are once again turning the page at kicker.
Over the last three games, the numbers are brutal. The Giants rank dead last in the NFL in net punting yards, averaging just 26.0 - nearly seven yards worse than any other team.
In a league where field position is everything, that’s a massive hole to climb out of. They're also 31st in kicking points per game, averaging just 5.3.
That’s not going to cut it in games decided by razor-thin margins.
Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial didn’t dodge the spotlight when he met with the media Thursday. He opened with a candid assessment of the unit’s struggles.
“Obviously not up to standard from a special teams standpoint,” Ghobrial said. “I’ve got to coach better, we’ve got to play better, we’ve got to execute better.”
He emphasized the importance of maximizing every scoring opportunity - whether it’s a PAT or a long-range field goal - especially in tight NFL games. And while he acknowledged the challenges of kicking in the Northeast, he didn’t use them as an excuse.
“Kicking in the Northeast isn’t easy, alright, but playing in the National Football League isn’t easy either,” he said. “Taking the opportunity and thriving in those situations is something we’ve got to do.”
On coverage units, the message was simple: it’s not just the gunners or the returner - it’s all 11. Tackling needs to improve across the board.
Another New Face at Kicker: Enter Ben Sauls
The Giants’ kicking carousel continues, and the next man up is rookie Ben Sauls. He’ll be the fifth player to handle placekicking duties for the team this season, joining a list that includes Graham Gano, Jude McAtamney, Koo, and Gillan.
Sauls, an undrafted rookie out of Pitt, is set to make his NFL regular-season debut. Ghobrial had high praise for the young kicker, highlighting his maturity and preparation.
“For a rookie and a guy that hasn’t necessarily had a regular season game yet, he’s wise beyond his years,” Ghobrial said. “He approaches the game like a true pro.”
Ghobrial credited Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi for Sauls’ development and pointed out that kicking in an NFL stadium during college - since Pitt shares a venue with the Steelers - gave him a leg up in terms of experience.
“He’s worked his tail off,” Ghobrial added. “He’s gotten operations with the specialists, so this won’t be new to him. He’s excited for the opportunity and we have ultimate confidence in him.”
Koo’s Final Misses Were Telegraphed
Looking back at Koo’s final outing in a Giants uniform, the signs were there even before kickoff. During pre-game warmups, he missed two 52-yard attempts from the same side of the field he later missed from during the game. So why roll the dice in those spots?
“You do have a certain line going a certain direction when the weather is what it is,” Ghobrial explained. “But ultimately, a veteran kicker, Koo, we had a lot of confidence in his ability to execute those kicks.”
It’s clear the coaching staff trusted Koo’s track record - but in hindsight, both sides would probably like those attempts back.
Jevon Holland Handling Punt Returns? Here’s Why
One of the more surprising decisions last week was seeing starting safety Jevon Holland returning punts. With Gunner Olszewski in concussion protocol and two experienced returners - Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Xavier Gipson - available on the practice squad, the move raised some eyebrows.
But Ghobrial explained the decision came down to game day roster limitations and injuries at other positions. Holland, who hadn’t returned punts since 2022 with Miami, was the next man up.
“Jevon Holland is a guy that goes back there every day in practice and catches it really well,” Ghobrial said. “Number one responsibility of a returner is to safely secure all possessions, and Jevon Holland has that.”
Ghobrial also praised Holland’s athleticism and decision-making, noting that while he’s not a natural return specialist, he has the tools to make the right reads and avoid costly mistakes.
“When the ball’s in his hands, he’s not afraid to be able to execute in that regard as well,” Ghobrial said. “We still have confidence in him to be able to execute at a high level and be able to change a game.”
Bottom Line
The Giants’ special teams have become a weekly headline - and not for the right reasons. From busted coverages to missed field goals to a revolving door at kicker, the unit has been a consistent source of frustration. With a rookie kicker now stepping into the spotlight and the team searching for answers in the return game, the pressure is on to stabilize a group that’s been anything but.
If the Giants want to stay competitive down the stretch, it’s going to take more than just better execution - it’s going to take a full reset in confidence, cohesion, and consistency on special teams.