In his first game as New York’s head coach, Brian Daboll ordered up a 2-point conversion play in the fourth quarter that led to the Giants’ 21-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
NASHVILLE — Brian Daboll didn’t think twice about whether his New York Giants should go for the 2-point conversion or kick the tying extra point with 1:06 remaining in his first game ever as a head coach. He was always going with the aggressive approach.
Daboll indeed went for two, which the Giants converted on a shovel pass to running back Saquon Barkley, to upset the Tennessee Titans 21-20 at Nissan Stadium. It was New York’s first Week 1 win since 2016, which also happens to be the last time they made the playoffs.
Why didn’t Daboll flinch when faced with the vital decision late in Sunday’s season opener?
« Go for the win, » he said. « We’re going to be aggressive. That is what we want to do. That is the mindset I want the players to have. If it didn’t work, I can live with it. I thought that was the right decision. »
Daboll even went up to some of the defensive players on the bench during the game-winning drive and asked their opinion.
« I said, ‘Hey … if we score I’m going for two. You good with that? They said ‘heck yeah!' »
The Giants players were completely on board, even though there was still a minute remaining and the Titans had time to drive down the field and win the game. They did but Tennessee kicker Randy Bullock missed a 47-yard field goal as time expired.
« When we scored, I was on the field and I saw him put up the two sign and we kind of made eye contact. He gave me that look, and I knew what the play was going to be, » Barkley said. « He gave me that look and I kind of looked back at him and said, ‘F— yeah.’
« We called it up and we were able to execute the play and get in.
