Giants Drop Seventh Straight as Kafka’s Interim Tenure Hits Another Low Point
At this point, it’s hard to tell where the New York Giants’ season ends and the misery begins. Monday night’s 33-15 loss to the New England Patriots marked their seventh straight defeat, dropping them to 2-11 heading into the bye week - the same dismal record they carried into the break last year. And while the Patriots came in riding a nine-game win streak and holding the best record in the AFC, what stood out wasn’t just the loss - it was how uninspired the Giants looked getting there.
From kickoff to the final whistle, New York struggled to show much fight on either side of the ball. The energy was flat, the execution was off, and the result felt inevitable.
That’s now 20 losses in their last 25 games dating back to last season - a staggering slide for a franchise still searching for direction. And while the bye week offers a temporary reprieve, it’s clear that the problems run deeper than just a tough schedule.
Kafka’s Decisions Under the Microscope
Interim head coach Mike Kafka, who stepped in midseason hoping to steady the ship, is now 0-3 in that role. And after Monday night, the questions about his future with the franchise are only growing louder.
One decision, in particular, raised eyebrows: with the Giants trailing 27-7 late in the first half, Kafka chose to punt on 4th-and-1 from the New York 40-yard line. It was a conservative call from a team with nothing to lose - and one that New England quickly punished by tacking on another field goal before halftime. In a season where the Giants have little left to play for, moments like that feel like missed opportunities to at least show some aggression and fight.
That wasn’t the only head-scratcher in recent weeks. Just last game against the Lions, Kafka went for it on fourth and goal while holding a slim three-point lead in the fourth quarter - a gamble that backfired when Detroit tied it up and eventually won in overtime. The decision-making has been inconsistent, and in some cases, costly.
Kafka has built a reputation as a capable offensive mind, especially during his time as a coordinator. But leading a team is a different challenge altogether. These last three games - all against playoff-caliber opponents - have exposed the growing pains of a coach trying to find his footing in a high-pressure role.
A Team Still Searching for Identity
The bigger issue might be that this Giants team just doesn’t look like it believes it can win. Whether it’s the body language on the sideline, the lack of urgency in key moments, or the conservative play-calling when boldness is needed, the signs point to a group that’s lost its edge. And that’s not something that changes overnight.
There’s no denying the talent gap between the Giants and some of the league’s top teams, but effort and execution are controllables - and right now, they’re in short supply. The Kafka-led Giants haven’t just been outplayed; they’ve been outcoached and outcompeted. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase desperate for progress.
With the bye week ahead, the Giants have time to regroup. But the reality is this: unless something changes - in mindset, in leadership, in execution - this team risks finishing the season the same way it’s spent most of the last two - stuck in reverse, with no clear path forward.
The final stretch of the season won’t be about playoff hopes or late-season heroics. It’ll be about pride, evaluation, and figuring out who’s going to be part of the solution. For Mike Kafka, the clock may already be ticking.