How Mike Kafka’s gutsy head coaching debut gave the Giants a jolt despite another loss

Yes, the Giants defense did blow another fourth quarter lead for the third time this season.

Yes, it resulted in a loss to the Packers and Mike Kafka’s first as interim head coach after Brian Daboll was fired last week.

However, the 27-20 result wasn’t all gray skies. A series of gutsy play calls, fourth-down chances and a revived energy with Jameis Winston under center was a solid start toward Kafka’s campaign for Big Blue’s head coaching gig.

Kafka, who has overseen an inconsistent Giants offense the past four seasons, has been involved in the head coach carousel the last three years, most recently interviewing extensively with the Saints this past offseason. This season, he has proven to have chemistry with Jaxson Dart and has been the mind behind the rookie’s early success that gave the team new life briefly before he was sidelined with a concussion.