Giants' Kicking Woes Mount as Rookie Zvada Endures Difficult Stretch
Undrafted kicker Dominic Zvada missed two crucial field goals in the Giants' overtime victory against the Texans, raising concerns about the team's kicking situation.
The New York Giants' kicking game is becoming a point of concern following another shaky performance by undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada. Zvada missed two field goals, including a 44-yard attempt just before halftime, in the Giants' 27-21 overtime win against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Zvada acknowledged the missed kicks were "unacceptable" and expressed his intention to use the upcoming bye week to improve. "I'm going to do my thing during the bye to make sure I'm right for when we go to [play] Philly," he said.
Despite the missed opportunities, the Giants' offense ultimately secured the win with a walk-off touchdown. Zvada, however, had expressed confidence he would have made a potential 48-yard field goal that would have been attempted if the team had not scored.
Zvada's struggles have been a stark contrast to his strong start. After opening his career by making his first nine field goal attempts, he has since gone 4-for-9. His recent struggles extend to kickoffs, where he has also had consecutive weeks of starting overtime with a touchback instead of attempting to force a return.
Head coach John Harbaugh addressed Zvada's performance, suggesting the rookie is facing typical challenges for first-year players. "I think he has to go ahead and pound that thing through straight," Harbaugh said. "I think he's doing what a lot of rookies do — just trying to get it through the uprights. I'm not really worried about Zvada. He just has to do it, but I'm totally confident he will because I know how good he is and know what a good head he has."
In other team news, cornerback Paulson Adebo started the game with Greg Newsome II sidelined by a concussion. With Jevón Holland also out due to a concussion, Jason Pinnock and Ar’Darius Washington took starting roles at safety. Tyler Nubin was active but primarily utilized on special teams due to a neck injury.
Cornerback Deonte Banks delivered a strong defensive performance, holding Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins to just two catches for six yards. Harbaugh praised Banks' coverage, stating he "probably should've given him a game ball or defensive player of the game."
The team celebrated a touchdown scored by Jameis Winston with a game of duck, duck, goose, a tradition initiated by Winston and the offensive linemen, with rookie right guard Sisi Mauigoa designated as the "goose."