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Prior to Sunday, October 19, NFL teams had won 1,602 straight games when leading by at least 18 points in the final six minutes. And then the New York Giants happened.
The Giants blew a seemingly insurmountable 26-8 lead with just six minutes left in their Week 7 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Sean Payton’s squad completed the improbable comeback, winning 33-32 on Will Lutz’s last-second field goal – shattering what had been one of the NFL’s most reliable statistical certainties.
The historic collapse left both Giants players and fans fuming.
Linebacker Brian Burns didn’t hide his frustration in the aftermath. As he stormed through the tunnels of Mile High Stadium, Burns was captured on video ripping the coaching staff’s defensive approach in the game’s final moments.
In footage posted by NFL Network’s James Palmer, Burns can clearly be heard venting about the team “dropping eight in coverage” during Denver’s game-winning drive – a conservative strategy that ultimately backfired.
A very angry Brian Burns leaving the field in Denver after a devastating loss. pic.twitter.com/N7cQ5dmx8P
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 19, 2025
Burns’ frustration reflects a growing sentiment among Giants fans calling for defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s job following the collapse.
The meltdown couldn’t have come at a worse time for Brian Daboll’s team. They’d been building momentum after inserting rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo into the starting lineup, giving the offense new energy in recent weeks.
Instead of climbing back toward playoff contention, New York now sits at 2-5.
The road doesn’t get easier for the Giants. They’ll face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8 – a team they upset at home earlier this season. The Eagles, coming off two consecutive losses, got back on track Sunday with a road victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
How the Giants respond to this historic collapse will likely define the remainder of their season – and possibly the futures of several coaches on the staff.
