Giants’ Mike Kafka makes strong early case in head coaching search during close loss to Green Bay Packers
The New York Giants show tremendous fight in Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers
During a week of turmoil, the New York Giants managed to outperform everyone’s expectations. The Giants fell to the Green Bay Packers, 27-20, at home, dropping to 2-9, but displayed tremendous fortitude to hang in the game until the last two minutes.
With a fired head coach and an injured starting quarterback, there was no reason for the Giants to fight the way that they did. Despite every reason to mail in the remainder of the 2025 season, they showed up against a playoff-hunting team and scrapped until the final whistle.
Today’s matchup was offensive coordinator Mike Kafka’s first game as the interim head coach, and the team looked completely different despite it being its most depleted. It now begs the question: should the Giants consider Kafka more strongly as their next head coach?
Mike Kafka adds his name to the Giants head coach mix
If you glanced at the box score, you could casually assert that the team played poorly again. Like usual, the defense blew another fourth-quarter lead. When you add all the layers of context to the performance, the loss becomes a more impressive feat than people realize.
I am not suggesting this is some moral victory, and the team should pat themselves on the back for almost beating the Packers. Nor am I implying that Kafka earned himself the head coaching job, and they shouldn’t even bother searching. However, the intensity with which the team played deserves recognition.
The Giants started their third-string quarterback, Jameis Winston, and still outgained a more explosive offense 336 to 296. Without running back Cam Skattebo, they rushed for 142 yards. Isaiah Hodgins inexplicably joined the team this week and led the team in receiving yards with 57 yards. And the defense registered two sacks and eight quarterback hits.
If it weren’t for what appeared to be a miscommunication between Jalin Hytatt and Winston, the Giants were charging towards tying the game late with under two minutes to go. Something that should not have been possible in a game that many assumed they’d be blown out.
Today’s game may have been a loss, but this team showed the most intensity since their Week 6 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. In a season filled with mistakes after mistakes, they seemingly executed at a higher level than they had under Brian Daboll.
Additionally, considering that Packers DC Jeff Hafley is one of the biggest names in the mix for the head coach opening, Kafka, in a way, flexed his muscles against his competition. To have produced 20 points and over 330 yards of offense with no weapons is mind-boggling.
Given the way the team played, Kafka should have put himself more seriously on the Giants’ radar for the head coach opening. Since Kafka was considered for head-coaching openings when the team was struggling, it’s clear he’s highly regarded in the NFL. Suppose he can replicate today’s performance and turn it into wins over beatable opponents like the Vikings, Raiders, Commanders, and Cowboys? In that case, it would be highly likely he’d be in the mix for the opening.
Ultimately, if the Giants want to turn the franchise around, it would be in their best interest to start over with a clean slate. But anything can happen over the course of the next six games.
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