See video of Mike Kafka as takes over as NY Giants interim head coach
New York Giants interim coach Mike Kafka discusses the qualities it takes to be a great head coach.
The Giants (2-8) will have a new leader when they host the Green Bay Packers (5-3-1) on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
The organization fired head coach Brian Daboll after another fourth-quarter meltdown, where the Chicago Bears score two touchdowns in the final four minutes to stun the Giants, 24-20, last Sunday.
In place of Daboll is offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who takes over as interim head coach for at least the final seven games of 2025.
It’s another difficult challenge for Big Blue, who host a Packers team with a defense that has been dominant, but offensively has struggled, especially after a 10-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at home on Monday night.
The other storyline in this game is the new starting quarterback for the Giants, with veteran signal caller Jameis Winston getting the start over Russell Wilson with rookie sensation Jaxson Dart still in concussion protocol.
Our prognosticators throughout the 2025 season are: Art Stapleton (Giants/NFL writer, NorthJersey.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports trending reporter/columnist, NorthJersey.com), Brian Marron (digital producer, NorthJersey.com), Chris Iseman (Rutgers writer, NorthJersey.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, Asbury Park Press/APP.com) and Dave Rivera (sports editor, USA TODAY Northeast/NorthJersey.com).
Giants vs Packers NFL Week 11 predictions, staff standings
Bert Bainbridge: 7-2
Chris Iseman: 7-3
Art Stapleton: 6-4
Dave Rivera: 6-4
Brian Marron: 6-4
Bob Jordan: 5-5
Here are our staff predictions for the Giants vs. Packers at MetLife Stadium in Week 11:
Art Stapleton
The pick: Packers 24, Giants 17
Here’s why: Jameis Winston will certainly be more aggressive than Russell Wilson, but with that excitement will likely come with turnovers. That’s his vibe. Can the defense step up? The Packers are on a short week and head coach Matt LaFleur is surprisingly under heat, with some saying he’s coaching the rest of the season for his job. There’s also Bergen County native Jeff Hafley, the former Boston College coach who is now Green Bay’s defensive coordinator and a potential head coaching candidate for the Giants.
Bert Bainbridge
The pick: Packers 27, Giants 17
Here’s why: This is the right decision to start Winston with Dart unable to clear protocol in time given how poorly Russell Wilson has looked in a Giants uniform outside of monster performance in Week 2 against the Cowboys defense that is one of, if not the worst in the entire NFL.
It won’t be for Winston in this spot, as he faces a tough matchup against a Packers defense that’s one of the best in the league, led by defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, a Bergen County (N.J.) native and a potential future head coaching candidate for the Giants this offseason.
With the forecast calling for temperatures in the high 50s and potential rain, I expect a bounce back performance from the Green Bay offense here, as Packers’ RB Josh Jacobs runs all over this Giants defense that has surrendered at least 142 yards on the ground in four consecutive games.
Bob Jordan
The pick: Giants 21, Packers 17
Here’s why: If an NFL team fires its head coach mid-season, there’s almost a 50-50 chance the team will win its first game after the change. (NFL teams are 7-8 in their first game after a mid-season coach firing since 2020). Giants’ fans have to be salivating over those odds.
Brian Marron
The pick: Packers 24, Giants 13
Here’s why: The Giants have some uncertainty at quarterback as they go against one of the top defenses in the NFL. Throw in the fact that the Packers are now desperate to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive following a string of shaky performances, this has the makings of the favorite cruising to a road win.
Dave Rivera
The pick: Packers 20, Giants 16
Here’s why: We know Brian Daboll is gone, and now we also know that Jameis Winston is getting the start on Sunday. The Giants will give it a spirited effort, but will come up short to a Packers team that is desperate to get back on the winning track.
Chris Iseman
The pick: Packers 31, Giants 17
Here’s why: Under normal circumstances, I’d say the Giants would galvanize following the coaching change. But ultimately I just don’t think they’re good enough for that to really matter.