GIANTS COACH BRIAN DABOLL FIRED WITH TEAM AT 2-8 MIDWAY THROUGH HIS 4TH SEASON
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Giants fired coach Brian Daboll on Monday, moving on from him midway through his fourth season after they dropped to 2-8 with a loss at Chicago.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was named as the interim replacement. The move made by ownership came a day after the Giants blew another late lead and lost 24-20 to the Bears. General manager Joe Schoen remains in his role, and owners John Mara and Steve Tisch said he will lead the search for the next coach.
“We spoke this morning about the direction of our franchise on the field, and we have decided that, at this time, it is in our best interest to make a change at the head coaching position,” Mara and Tisch said in a statement. “The past few seasons have been nothing short of disappointing, and we have not met our expectations for the franchise. We understand the frustrations of our fans, and we will work to deliver a significantly improved product.”
The rest of Daboll’s staff was kept in place, including defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
New York has lost four in a row since upsetting defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia at home in prime time early last month. That included becoming the first team since 2003 to lead by 18 points with six minutes to play and lose, which the Giants did at Denver on Oct. 19.
This is just the Giants’ third midseason coaching change over the past 95 years. It’s the first since 2017, when Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese were fired following a 2-10 start.
Daboll went 20-40-1 in his first head-coaching job in the league. He led the Giants to the playoffs in his first season and was named coach of the year, but has gone 11-33 since.
His .336 winning percentage ranks 154th out of 166 coaches with 50-plus games since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Daboll is the second coach to be fired this season; Tennessee dismissed Brian Callahan after the Titans started 1-5.
“These are difficult decisions, and John and I do not take them lightly,” Tisch said. “But we feel like this is the right thing to do at this time and will allow us to move forward.”
Daboll, who previously served as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator from 2018-21, had faced increasing pressure about his job security in recent weeks and repeatedly took responsibility for the Giants’ woes.
“Look, you put everything you’ve got into it,” Daboll said. “You look at the things that aren’t where they need to be and you try to fix them. Whether that’s changing things on the schedule, whether that’s different periods of practice, whether that’s changing little parts of the scheme, again, that’s where we’re at. We’re at where we’re at.”
Kafka takes over after another turn of uncertainty in a lost season, following quarterback Jaxson Dart’s concussion against the Bears that forced Russell Wilson back into action. Fellow rookie Cam Skattebo and No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers were already lost for the season because of injuries.
The 38-year-old former assistant joined the Giants after working under Andy Reid in multiple capacities since 2017. He has four games and 16 passes of playing experience from his time with Philadelphia in 2011 after being the starting QB at Northwestern.
Schoen, who is in his fourth season as GM since also being hired from the Bills, got a vote of confidence from Mara and Tisch. Selecting edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third pick, trading back into the first round to get Dart and drafting Skattebo likely played a significant role in Schoen sticking around longer than Daboll.
“We feel like Joe has assembled a good young nucleus of talent, and we look forward to its development,” Mara said. “Unfortunately, the results over the past three years have not been what any of us want. We take full responsibility for those results and look forward to the kind of success our fans expect.”
PANTHERS NOT GETTING ENOUGH OUT OF WR XAVIER LEGETTE, A 2024 FIRST-ROUND PICK
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers need someone to step up in the passing game, and that isn’t just quarterback Bryce Young.
While most of the blame has fallen on Young and coach Dave Canales — who calls the offensive plays — after the passing game flopped again on Sunday in a 17-7 loss to the last-place New Orleans Saints, there were plenty of others responsible for this latest offensive debacle.
That contingent includes starting wide receiver and 2024 first-round draft pick Xavier Legette, who pulled another disappearing act against the Saints, failing to catch a pass. Legette hasn’t been able to consistently separate from defensive backs and was targeted just once.
He has just three catches for 39 yards in the past three games.
Take away his career-best nine-catch, 92-yard, one-touchdown performance against New York Jets in Week 7, and Legette has 11 catches for 89 yards in his other seven starts for the Panthers.
When asked directly about Legette’s lack of production, Canales complimented his young wide receiver.
“I think X is running fast,” Canales said. “He’s doing everything we ask of him. I think if you just broaden it out a little bit and look at the full group, we need better execution in general and that starts with me. That starts with myself and making sure that we have the right schemes for our guys.”
Clearly, the Panthers don’t have the right scheme for Legette.
Or maybe it’s time to acknowledge that Legette — who had just one productive season at South Carolina before the Panthers traded up into the bottom of the first round in 2024 and took him 32nd overall — could be a bust.
What needs help
The Panthers’ offensive line, which has endured a series of injuries this season, was dominated by the Saints.
Carolina was outgained 388 yards to 175 on Sunday, and much of that had to do with the line’s inability to open holes or prevent breakdowns in pass protection, which allowed Saints defenders to come racing through the line for a free shot at Young.
He was only sacked twice but was pressured relentlessly and never got comfortable in the pocket.
Rico Dowdle, the league’s third-leading rusher, was held to 53 yards on 18 carries. The Panthers failed to score after Dowdle ran for a TD on the game’s first possession.
“It’s very deflating and not our brand of football and how we want to play,” Dowdle said. “So, we’ve got to come back and get back to work next week and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
What else needs help
The Panthers continued to struggle against tight ends.
Juwan Johnson became the latest to torch Carolina’s defense, catching four passes for 92 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown catch when he got completely free along the left sideline.
Johnson joins Darren Waller, Jake Ferguson and Hunter Henry as tight ends who have put up big days against the Panthers and found the end zone.
Stock up
Rookie linebacker Nic Scourton is proving to a be a solid find for the Panthers.
He had four tackles, two QB pressures and a sack on fourth down in the second half on Sunday that gave the Panthers an opportunity to take the lead. Young and the offense couldn’t capitalize.
Stock down
CB Jaycee Horn. He is arguably the Panthers’ best defensive player, but Horn admittedly had a rough outing on Sunday, allowing Chris Olave to beat him for a 62-yard touchdown. Horn said after the game that he told his defensive teammates they played great, and that this loss was on him. Horn added that he felt Olave got away with a push-off on the long TD catch, but also said he needs to be more physical with receivers because officials aren’t calling offensive pass interference.
Injuries
TE Michell Evans (ankle) left in the first half on Sunday and linebacker Trevin Wallace (shoulder) exited in the second half. Both will be reevaluated this week.
Key number
8 — The number of games in which Young has failed to throw for more than 200 yards this season in nine starts.
Next steps
The Panthers visit Atlanta for an NFC South clash on Sunday. The Panthers pounded the Falcons 30-0 earlier this season.
THERE’S PLENTY OF BLAME TO GO AROUND FOR THE WASHINGTON COMMANDERS’ FAILURES THIS SEASON
Von Miller refused, not surprisingly, to publicly point a finger at Dan Quinn and his staff to explain what has gone wrong for the Washington Commanders during this failure of a season.
“What’s going on is definitely not on the coaches. They have us super prepared,” Miller said. “We’re physically prepared, mentally prepared, emotionally prepared. DQ does a great job of keeping the morale going and holding on to the standard that we set. I’m not sure where the disconnect is.”
No one, including Quinn, seemed prepared to explain what they think the biggest problems — and possible solutions — are for the Commanders after their latest embarrassing performance, a 44-22 home loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. That dropped Washington’s record to 3-7 entering next weekend’s game in Spain against the Miami Dolphins and extended the Commanders’ losing streak to five games.
They’re historically bad at the moment: Each of the past four defeats was by at least 21 points, the longest such skid within a single season by any NFL team since the 2002 Cardinals. No club has dropped five in a row by 21 or more — the record — since the 1965 Steelers.
“I don’t know what to say,” was how linebacker Frankie Luvu put it.
The truth is there’s plenty of blame to go around for this implosion one season after AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels led the Commanders to a 12-5 record in the regular season and their first appearance in the NFC title game in more than three decades.
It hasn’t helped that Daniels has missed four games because of injuries, including the debacle against Detroit, and will not be available to face Miami, either, as he recovers from a dislocated left elbow. Plenty of other players, including No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin, have missed time, too.
But every NFL team has to deal with injuries. It’s rare that a defense looks as unprofessional as the unit that Quinn and coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. are responsible for preparing and GM Adam Peters assembled.
“We got a lot of things to fix,” Quinn said Sunday night. “We all are baffled, frustrated, all of that.”
What’s working
Hard to find any silver linings or much that is positive at all with this group currently.
What needs help
The players’ composure. DT Daron Payne, ironically one of the three captains announced by Quinn for the game against Detroit, was suspended by the NFL on Monday for one game without pay after punching Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown during the first half. Payne was ejected for that. On the next play, another defensive lineman, Javon Kinlaw, drew his own unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. “We’ve got to find a way to channel our frustration better or different than that — penalties or in actions that hurt our team,” Quinn said.
Stock up
QB Marcus Mariota. Daniels’ backup played fine, completing 16 of 22 passes for 213 yards, two touchdowns and zero turnovers. (Mariota also had another failed attempt at hurdling a defender.) Washington’s offense was not particularly impressive, but it sure was nowhere close to as bad as the defense.
Stock down
Too many choices for this category, from Peters to Quinn to Whitt to various players up and down the roster, especially if one is comparing this season’s Commanders to last season’s version. It’s not just one play or one series or even one quarter. They just are not even close to competitive, game after game. “At the end of the day, in order to get things going in the right direction, you have to be transparent, you have to be honest,” Mariota said. “And I don’t think we are who we think we are.”
Key number
Zero — That is how many of the Lions’ first eight possessions failed to produce a touchdown or field goal. It’s also the number of sacks Washington’s defense registered.
Next steps
Here’s how bad things are for the Commanders: They are neutral-site underdogs against a bad Dolphins team next Sunday in Madrid. Miami (3-7) is favored by 2 1/2 points, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The good news for Quinn and Co.? They can’t possibly lose the following week … because that’s when the Commanders get their bye.
QB TREVOR LAWRENCE AND DE JOSH HINES-ALLEN FAIL TO DELIVER IN THE JAGUARS’ HISTORIC COLLAPSE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — It’s one thing to lose a close game. It’s another to stumble like Jacksonville did at Houston on Sunday.
The Jaguars blew a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter, were outscored 26-0 in the final frame and ended up on the wrong end of a 36-29 stunner. It was the biggest collapse in franchise history and easily one of the most embarrassing outcomes in the team’s 31 years.
Calling it an epic debacle wouldn’t even do it justice.
The Jaguars (5-4) had a chance to essentially eliminate the rival Texans (4-5) from playoff contention and needed to make one extra play down the stretch to get it done. One more completion. One more first down. One more pressure. One more sack.
But quarterback Trevor Lawrence and defensive Josh Hines-Allen — the team’s highest-paid players who are on the books for a combined $70.5 million in 2025 — failed to deliver. And the longtime captains should shoulder the blame.
Lawrence was sacked three times on six drop-backs in the fourth quarter. He also scrambled twice and threw incomplete once. He made a play that looked like it would give Jacksonville a chance late, but his completion to Parker Washington was nullified by offensive lineman Chuma Edoga’s penalty.
Allen, meanwhile, was ineffective in the fourth while going against rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery and backup quarterback Davis Mills. Allen finished with one quarterback hit.
“I didn’t necessarily think we’re putting these guys in really bad positions,” first-year Jaguars coach Liam Coen said. “You’re trying to hold onto a lead and make them earn it. We let up too many explosive plays.”
The Jags have dropped three of four, with the lone victory coming at Las Vegas in overtime, and will try to regroup against the Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) this weekend.
“Unfortunately, this is what happened,” Lawrence said. “Can’t change it now. It’s over and done. We have to move forward and learn from it. I mean, let that be a chip on our shoulder and a little bit of fire under us for this week of practice. It should sting for a while.”
What’s working
Cam Little has made 12 consecutive kicks since missing three of four. The second-year pro hit all three of field-goal attempts against the Texans, including a 53-yarder, and was getting ready for an even longer one in the waning seconds. Little hit an NFL-record 68-yarder last week at the Raiders.
What needs help
Jacksonville is tied for last in the NFL with 12 sacks, a season-long problem and a head-scratching one considering the Jaguars have invested first-round picks in Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. Walker should have had two sacks against the Texans, but he was flagged for roughing the quarterback on one takedown and then whiffed trying to tackle Mills in the backfield on another. It was more bad luck for Walker, who continues to play with a wrap on his surgically repaired left wrist and was ejected last week for throwing a punch.
Stock up
Washington found the end zone twice in the first half. He made a toe-touching, 7-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter and then returned a punt 73 yards for a score in the second. He could end up being Lawrence’s No. 1 target in the second half of the season, even with the recent addition of veteran Jakobi Meyers.
Stock down
Left tackle Walker Little was no match for Danielle Hunter, who finished with 3 1/2 sacks. Little signed a three-year, $40.5 million extension last December but has struggled in recent losses to Seattle, the Los Angeles Rams and Houston.
Injuries
The Jags hope to get WR Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle), CB Jourdan Lewis (neck), TE Hunter Long (hip/knee) and LG Ezra Cleveland (ankle/knee) back this week. Look for TE Brenton Strange (hip) to be activated from injured reserve.
Key number
31-30 — The score of the Chargers’ last visit to Jacksonville. The Jaguars rallied from a 27-0 deficit to win the wild-card playoff game in January 2023.
Next steps
Find a way to bounce back from a gut-wrenching loss.
FALCONS MUST FIX OFFENSIVE ISSUES, STARTING WITH MICHAEL PENIX JR., TO SNAP LOSING STREAK
ATLANTA (AP) — The Falcons’ losing streak has reached four games after Atlanta came up just short for the second consecutive week against one of the AFC’s top teams.
One week after losing 24-23 at New England, Atlanta fell 31-25 in overtime to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in the NFL’s first game in Berlin.
The Falcons (3-6) appear to be far from a playoff-worthy team, with problems on third down and with their rushing defense. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been slumping.
Still, the Falcons needed just one stop late in the fourth quarter to knock off the Colts. Atlanta led 25-22 with under two minutes remaining. After a sack, the Colts faced third-and-21 at their 41-yard line. But a 19-yard scramble by Daniel Jones and a 10-yard catch by rookie Tyler Warren bailed out the Colts, who kicked a tying field goal and won in OT.
“We had opportunities to win the game,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said.
The Colts dominated the extra period, and now the Falcons return from Germany looking for answers.
What’s working
The Falcons recorded seven sacks — their most since 2018 — by seven players, including disruptive rookies James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker. Pearce forced a fumble by Jones on his 18-yard sack, and Walker recovered. The Falcons have 29 sacks through nine games, which ranks fifth in the NFL, and they are second in sack percentage. The Falcons had just 31 sacks last season, which ranked 31st in the league. Zach Harrison and Brandon Dorlus lead the team with 4 1/2 each.
What needs help
The Falcons were 0 for 8 on third down, continuing an alarming trend from their losses to the Patriots and Dolphins. During their last three games, the Falcons are 3 for 29 on third down, and while they converted two fourth downs against both the Patriots and Dolphins, they didn’t attempt one against the Colts. On Sunday, Penix was 1-of-5 passing for minus-4 yards on third down, and he took three sacks, one of which led to a lost fumble. Coordinator Zac Robinson’s third-down package needs a complete overhaul.
Stock up
Backup running back Tyler Allgeier did not lead the team in rushing, but he was outstanding on the Falcons’ touchdown drive that gave them the lead late in the fourth quarter. Allgeier finished with 57 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns, the second of which gave Atlanta a 25-22 lead with 1:44 to play. He had runs of 7, 7, 10 and 8 yards before finishing the drive with a 1-yard plunge. Allgeier continues to be a strong complement to Bijan Robinson.
Stock down
Penix completed 12 of 28 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown. His 42.9% completion rate was the lowest of his 11 career starts and leaves him No. 31 in the league at 58.8% for the season (the league average is 65.3%). Penix took a season-high three sacks.
In addition to Penix’s struggles, the kick and punt coverage units were exposed. The Falcons gave up kickoff returns of 50 and 49 yards, the second of which set the Colts up for their game-tying field goal with under two minutes to play in the fourth quarter. The Colts’ Josh Downs also had a 24-yard punt return in the third quarter that led to a field goal.
Injuries
Slot cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. returned from a hamstring injury. … RG Chris Lindstrom (foot) started after being listed as questionable. … Starting CB Mike Hughes (neck) traveled to Berlin but was ruled out. … LG Matthew Bergeron (ankle), DE Leonard Floyd (hamstring) and OT Storm Norton (foot) did not travel to Berlin.
Key number
244 — Rushing yards by the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor, the most the Falcons have ever allowed to an opponent.
Next steps
The Falcons will host the Panthers this weekend. Carolina (5-5) is second in the NFC South and blew out Atlanta 30-0 in Week 3.
NFL’S WEEK 10 WAS FILLED WITH UPSETS, COMEBACKS, ROUTS AND STATEMENT WINS
Five underdogs won. Big leads weren’t safe. Several games weren’t close.
Sunday was filled with upsets, comebacks, routs and statements.
There were some impressive individual performances, too.
Jonathan Taylor had 244 yards rushing for the Colts. Miami’s De’Von Achane ran for 174. Patriots rookie TreVeyon Henderson had a pair of 50-plus yard touchdown runs.
DeMarcus Lawrence scored twice on fumble returns for Seattle.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford became the first player in NFL history with at least four touchdown passes and no interceptions in three consecutive games.
Upsets
The Miami Dolphins stunned the Buffalo Bills, rolling to a 30-13 victory. Josh Allen and the Bills were 8 1/2-point favorites a week after a win over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
But the reigning NFL MVP had two turnovers and Buffalo (6-3) was never close after falling behind 16-0 at halftime.
Tua Tagovailoa threw two TD passes and Achane had two scores for Miami (3-7). The Dolphins have won two of three and have a chance to start a streak. They face Washington (3-7) next week in Spain and then return from a bye to take on New Orleans (2-8) and the New York Jets (2-7).
Led by rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, the Saints went to Carolina and knocked off the Panthers, 17-7. Shough threw for 282 yards and two TDs in his second career start.
A week after beating the Packers at Lambeau Field, the Panthers had a chance to get to 6-4, which would’ve been their best start since 2017. They were 5 1/2-point favorites but Bryce Young struggled and the offense couldn’t do anything.
Comebacks
Down 19 to Jacksonville in the fourth quarter, the Houston Texans rallied behind backup QB Davis Mills. With C.J. Stroud inactive because of a concussion, Mills tossed two TD passes and ran for a score in the final 12:16.
The Texans (4-5) can even their record next week at Tennessee (1-8). The Jaguars (5-4) have lost three of four since defeating the Chiefs.
The Bears trailed the Giants 20-10 when they got the ball at their own 9 with 6:13 left. Caleb Williams tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Rome Odunze. After the defense sacked Russell Wilson twice to force a punt, Williams drove the offense 53 yards and scrambled 17 yards for the go-ahead TD.
Chicago (6-3) has won six of seven since starting 0-2 under first-year coach Ben Johnson. The Bears have a tough schedule upcoming. Only two of their final eight opponents currently have losing records and one of those games is next week on the road against the tough Vikings (4-5).
The Colts needed a rally to beat the Falcons in Germany. Daniel Jones led a drive in the final two minutes to set up Michael Badgley’s 44-yard field goal to force overtime. Taylor ended the game on an 8-yard TD run. He had an 83-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Indianapolis (8-2) heads into the bye tied for the best record in the NFL. The Colts face the Chiefs on the road on Nov. 23.
Routs
The average margin of victory in the three late-afternoon games was 20 points.
The Rams took a 21-0 lead over San Francisco before the 49ers came back to cut it to 28-20 early in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles then scored on consecutive possessions to put it out of reach.
The 37-year-old Stafford is having the best season of his career, helping the Rams to a 7-2 start. He has 25 TD passes and only two interceptions.
With Lawrence scoring after two strip-sacks by Tyrice Knight, Seattle jumped ahead of Arizona 35-0 and cruised to a 44-22 victory. Sam Darnold only threw 12 passes, completing 10 for 178 yards and one TD. The Seahawks (7-2) dominated the Cardinals again, beating them for the ninth straight time.
Next week, the Rams host the Seahawks in a battle for first place in the NFC West.
Entering this season, a 44-22 score had only occurred once in NFL history. It’s happened three times over the past month, including twice in Week 10 as the Lions also beat the Commanders by that score.
Jared Goff had 320 yards passing and three TDs and Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 142 yards and two scores with coach Dan Campbell taking over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator John Morton.
Detroit (6-3) can take over first place in the NFC North if the Packers (5-2-1) lose to the Eagles (6-2) on Monday night.
Statement wins
New England took another step toward going worst to first in the AFC East with an impressive 28-23 victory in Tampa Bay. The Patriots (8-2) beat the Bills 23-20 in Buffalo in Week 5 but racked up six wins against teams with losing records.
Their victory over the Buccaneers completed a sweep of the NFC South, leading first-year coach Mike Vrabel to greet players with an “NFC South champs!” proclamation in the hallway outside the locker room.
Drake Maye withstood pressure and tossed two TD passes, and Henderson ran for 147 yards, including scores from 69 and 55 yards.
The Patriots’ next three opponents are 7-21 before a rematch with the Bills in Week 15.
The Chargers delivered a dominant defensive performance in a convincing 25-10 victory over Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. Los Angeles held Rodgers to 91 yards passing and the Steelers had just 151 total yards before the game was out of reach.
The Chargers (7-3) trail Denver (8-2) by one game in the AFC West and already beat the Broncos and Chiefs (5-4).
The Steelers (5-4) only lead Baltimore (4-5) by one game in the AFC North and will face the Ravens twice in the final five weeks.
COMMANDERS’ DARON PAYNE WAS SUSPENDED FOR A GAME FOR HITTING AMON-RA ST. BROWN
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne was suspended for one game without pay by the NFL on Monday for hitting Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown during the teams’ game the night before.
Payne was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct in the second quarter of Washington’s 44-22 loss to visiting Detroit on Sunday.
He will miss Washington’s game next Sunday in Spain against the Miami Dolphins.
The NFL said Payne was punished under a rule that applies to “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,” including “throwing a punch, or a forearm,” and another rule that prohibits “striking, swinging at or clubbing the head or neck of an opponent with the wrist(s), arm(s), elbow(s), or hand(s).”
Payne is allowed to appeal the suspension.
The Commanders (3-7) have lost five games in a row.
