Early in the second half of their preseason game on Friday night against the Detroit Lions, the New York Giants allowed a punt to be returned 95 yards for a touchdown by Maurice Alexander.
The Lions then converted a two-point conversion, which narrowed the score to 13-11 and changed the complexion of the game.
MAURICE ALEXANDER JR. HITS THE SPIN CYCLE FOR THE PUNT RETURN TD!pic.twitter.com/Ibd2gtMaLb
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) August 12, 2023
It was not a good start for the Giants’ special teams, a unit that they take great pride in. Head coach Brian Daboll explained what happened after the game.
“First thing is we had 10 guys on the field, so we had to burn a timeout, so that’s not good,” Daboll said. “That falls on me, and then I just saw him break off to the sideline and it was 95 yards, right? Give them credit, it was a heck of a play. We’ll take a look at it on tape, but usually, when you give up those long punt returns, it’s a momentum changer.”
Daboll may say that it falls to him, but that didn’t keep him from giving special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey a death stare on the sidelines after the play.
Brian Daboll’s 👀 at Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey after that 94-yard punt return for a TD by the Lions. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/PWEo5Bk9yL
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 12, 2023
The Giants did not allow a punt or a kickoff to be returned for a touchdown in 2022 and their 6.2 yards per punt return allowed was fourth-best in the NFL last season.
