The Giants’ Inevitable Firing of Shane Bowen was Long Overdue.

​If the New York Giants only played football games until the final two-minute warning, they would be 6-6 and clawing their way into a potential playoff spot in a competitive NFC East conference.

Instead, they are 2-10, have just been eliminated from the playoffs, and stand on the wrong side of history. This triggered interim head coach Mike Kafka to make his first move – firing defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.

The defense this year has been annoyingly bad at closing out games. The Giants are the first team to score 20 or more points and lose in six consecutive games. They also tied an NFL record for losing five games after leading by ten or more points.

These defensive meltdowns have become insufferable for everybody involved. The players, the fans, and the front office. The Giants were thrust into making a long-overdue decision.

A Long Time Coming

Everyone could have sensed that Bowen did not fit the bill in New York after the defensive collapse in the Week 2 loss to Dallas. Following that game, Bowen said he wished he could have been more aggressive in the closing minutes. Instead, he opted for a soft, preventative defensive zone that swung the door wide open for Dallas.

Doing things repeatedly and expecting the same result? That’s the definition of insanity. And the Giants are insane for letting Bowen continue to make these critical mistakes.

In the Week 7 loss to Denver, the Giants led by 19 going into the fourth quarter. Three weeks later in Chicago, their 20-10 lead with five minutes remaining was erased by another defensive meltdown. The next week, they took a one-point lead in the fourth quarter, losing to the Packers. And most recently, an overtime loss to the Lions in a game they once led by double digits, and were up by three points with less than three minutes of regulation.

​The repeated lack of execution in these situations is more reflective of the playcaller than the player’s ability to shut the door. Week after week, Bowen didn’t follow up on his promise to go more aggressive late in the game, ultimately leading to Kafka’s decision to relieve him of his duties.

​Expanding the Numbers

​The Bowen-led defense was historically bad, especially in terms of containing the rush.

The recent performance was just as abhorrent, as Jahmyr Gibbs torched the turf with 219 yards on 15 carries. That’s good for nearly 15 yards per carry. 122 of those yards came in the fourth quarter and beyond, and on only four attempts. One rush for 49, another for 69.

Aside from the league-worst run defense, they trickle to the bottom in nearly every other statistical category.

​Overall, the Giants rank 30th in the league in points allowed per game at 27.8, 30th in yards allowed per game at 385, 29th in yards allowed per play, and 30th in touchdowns allowed per game.

The Giants only have seven takeaways on defense this year, also 30th in the league, further insinuating a lack of aggression on defense.

This is also the second most expensive defense in the league at a $151 million payroll. The talent and money are right where they need to be. The leadership was not.

Players lost faith

From an outside perspective, it seems like the players lost all trust in Bowen’s abilities as the playcaller. The decision to rush three in the Denver loss sent Brian Burns into an outrage of expletives. From there, the lack of faith and respect they had for Bowen diminished more and more each week. To the point where they wouldn’t even acknowledge the guy.

​There has to be a reason Abdul Carter was reportedly showing up late to, or sleeping through, meetings. There has to be a reason Deonte Banks has regressed into his perfunctory state of play. There has to be a reason the unit as a whole has been playing uninspired football.

​This shows a defense that doesn’t have the back of their coach and doesn’t trust the decisions he is making. It’s one thing for the fans to scald and revile Bowen as coordinator. But if the players are doing the same, that’s a Michelin-star worthy recipe for disaster.

Bowen couldn’t necessarily control all of the injuries to the defense. Nor could he control the lack of depth. But he could have at the very least demanded more respect from his unit. One that won’t say they’re happy about the dismissal, but is certainly showing it.

That face says it all. Most people don’t smile that big on their wedding day.

Changing Faces

The next step for the Giants was hiring Charlie Bullen as the interim defensive coordinator. He’s someone Brian Burns shares a close relationship with, is excited for, believes will bring the best out of the defense, and will tell it how it is. Bullen is instilling a mutual trust in his players.

Bullen, being a linebacker coach, may not be as hesitant as Bowen to get aggressive in late-game situations, and he has no reason to be. The Giants have nothing to lose at this point in the season.

Between the added aggression, a stripped-down focus on fundamental football, and the philosophy of putting the players in the best position to succeed, the Giants might’ve found their guy in Bullen. However, his first game on the headset as the playcaller is a daunting one, as the Patriots seek their 10th consecutive win on Monday night.

​After the second change to the staff during a miserable season for Giants fans, it makes one wonder what other changes will be made within the organization. Whether that be throughout the rest of the season or during the offseason is to be determined, but there’s an anticipation from fans and skeptics alike that more change is coming.

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