Monday night’s game between the 10-2 and 2-10 teams went just as we expected.
The New England Patriots won their 10th consecutive game to cap Week 13, defeating the New York Giants (2-11), 33-15. Here’s our rapid reaction to a “Monday Night Football” blowout.
Key takeaway: The Giants have given up
There’s no other way to put it. The Giants have stopped caring.
Late in the second half, while already trailing 27-7, interim head coach Mike Kafka elected against going for it on a 4th-and-1, instead taking a delay of game penalty and punting to the Patriots, who marched 67 yards in five plays to tack on a field goal as time expired in the first half.
The Giants were criticized online and by ESPN NFL analyst Jason Kelce for the pathetic move.
“You’re given an opportunity to get some momentum going into half,” Kelce said. “It’s fourth-and-inches, like it’s barely anything. I don’t know why you wouldn’t try to get that, then get the ball coming out of half to make it a game,” he questioned at halftime.
ESPN analyst Mina Kimes and The Athletic’s Derrik Klassen were among several who derided the decision on social media.
