Dominic Zvada stopped the opponent’s scoring run. The undrafted rookie made all four of his field goals on Sunday, including a crucial pair in the fourth quarter that sealed a 19-11 victory over the Eagles. This performance erased the memory of a five-for-nine slump that nearly cost the Giants their first win of the season. He cleared his mind and returned to basics, a shift that paid off immediately on the field at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Bye Week Fix
Zvada had missed two kicks against the Texans right before the break, leaving the team in a panic. The coach never wavered, skipping any tryouts for a replacement kicker during the two-week layoff. That faith was rewarded when Zvada stepped up in the final minutes to push the lead to 19-8. He told reporters that the pause helped him reset his approach. “The bye came at a great time,” Zvada said, according to the New York Post. “I came back and attacked it like I did in training camp — went back to the basics. And it worked, so we’re going to keep rolling with that.”
Winning in the Wind
Conditions in Philadelphia were brutal, yet the Giants kicker handled the elements without a single miss. He converted attempts from 53, 49, 49 and 38 yards to keep the offense moving and the defense rested. The environment made every point hard to come by, but Zvada found the uprights with precision. “This is not an easy place to make kicks,” Zvada said, “especially with the wind and the environment. It’s a good confidence booster.”
Head coach John Harbaugh praised the special teams unit for their role in ending the 13-game losing streak in this city. He noted that the win was dedicated to co-owner John Mara, who could not attend due to his cancer treatment. Mara received the first game ball, and Chris Mara accepted it on his behalf. “Hovering is probably a good word for it,” Harbaugh said. “The first game ball went to our team owner, our leader, John Mara. Chris [Mara] accepted the ball and he said, ‘John’s been texting me the whole game — the whole game — but you don’t want to know what he’s been saying.'”
Next Stop: The Commanders
The Giants now turn their attention to a Thursday night matchup against Washington. The team will host the Commanders at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Giants’ 19-11 victory against the Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 8, was the result of a perfect night for the kicker.
