The Giants’ crushing 33-15 loss to the Patriots on Monday Night Football was overshadowed by the absence of Abdul Carter, punished for the second time in three weeks by a “coach’s decision” that reveals deep internal rifts.
The New York Giants’ Week 13 Monday Night Football game started to get complicated before the opening whistle, but not because of an injury, rather a disciplinary issue.
From the kickoff, the Giants’ defense missed the rookie linebacker, the third overall pick in the 2025 Draft, who was held back by interim head coach Mike Kafka.
This punishment wasn’t a secret: reporter Laura Rutledge confirmed that it was a “coach’s decision,” a euphemism that masks a recurring disciplinary problem. The talented Penn State alumnus has now been disciplined for the second time in three weeks.
Carter is becoming a recurring issue for Kafka
In Week 11, Carter was also dropped from the opening defensive series against the Green Bay Packers for failing to fulfill “a part or all of a team responsibility,” a tardiness issue that has been reported in Foxborough and has reportedly been a problem throughout his rookie season.
Carter’s absence was immediately felt. The team, already without linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux due to injury, was overwhelmed by the Patriots’ offense. Led by Drake Maye, the Patriots jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.
Maye, a rising star in the AFC, threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns on 24 of 31 attempts, leading to a comfortable 33-15 victory that dropped the Giants to a troubling 2-11 record.
These disciplinary issues do not reflect well on Carter’s on-field performance. Despite being a dominant pass rusher in college, he only averages 0.5 sacks.
Kafka is trying to tame an out-of-control team
Carter’s Pro Football Focus stats reflect a duality: he’s ranked 25th out of 112 at his position with a 75.0 pass rush rating, but he’s one of the worst in run defense, ranking 105th with a 47.1 rating.
His retention by Kafka, who took over after Brian Daboll’s dismissal, suggests the coach is trying to restore accountability to a team in freefall.
However, having their top defensive star, drafted with the third overall pick, at the center of controversy is symptomatic of the internal fractures that threaten to completely derail the Giants’ season.
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