Giants Fire Daboll, Promote Kafka: Betting Implications

Giants Clean House... Sort Of: Daboll Out, Kafka In

The New York Giants have officially pulled the plug on the Brian Daboll era, firing their head coach after a catastrophic stretch that’s seen the team win just 11 of their last 45 games. What’s next? Enter Mike Kafka, former offensive coordinator, now interim head coach, and a guy who's been on shortlists for head coaching gigs before. He’s got his shot now, and bettors should keep a close eye on how the locker room responds — especially with promising young quarterback Jackson Dart at the helm.

Now, before you start hammering the Giants’ future win totals, here’s the twist: GM Joe Schoen is still in the building. Despite being part of the duo hired alongside Daboll, Schoen’s job appears safe for now. The thinking? He’s built a roster with enough raw talent to compete — even if the output has been, well, dismal. Ownership seems to believe that a new head coach working alongside a now-seasoned GM could be the right recipe going forward.

Bettors should remember, though, the Giants aren’t just losing — they’ve been consistently bad. Since their 2011 Super Bowl win, they’ve been a bottom-five franchise in terms of total victories. That kind of futility can’t be fixed overnight, but a change in leadership might at least bring some short-term betting value if the team plays with renewed energy.

Jackson Dart: Hope or Hype?

One of the biggest reasons the Giants job remains attractive: Jackson Dart. The young QB has shown flashes of brilliance and could be the centerpiece of a rebuild done right. For bettors, Dart's development is crucial. If Kafka can unlock his potential, the Giants might become a sneaky cover machine for the back half of the season — or at least less of a free square for opponents.

With a decent arm, mobility, and some college pedigree, Dart has tools worth betting on. But it all depends on whether he gets the protection and coaching he needs. The Giants' offensive line has been a revolving door of underperformance, and their skill positions haven’t exactly helped. Still, if you’re feeling bold, betting on Dart’s passing yards or touchdown props once he’s named the starter could offer some upside, especially against middling defenses.

And let’s not forget: new coaches often come with a new mindset. If Kafka lets Dart sling it, fantasy managers and player prop bettors might finally get some juice from this offense.

Joe Burrow's Surprise Return: Bengals Futures Back On?

In more uplifting quarterback news, Joe Burrow has returned to Bengals practice earlier than expected. That’s music to the ears of Bengals fans — and bettors holding onto Cincinnati futures tickets with white knuckles. Burrow’s presence immediately changes the Bengals’ outlook, both in the AFC North and in the crowded Wild Card race.

It’s too early to say for sure when Burrow will be back under center, but the fact that he's practicing at all is a big deal. If you’re looking at Bengals playoff odds or even win totals, now might be the time to buy low before the market adjusts. If Burrow gets back to form, Cincinnati becomes dangerous again — and a team no one wants to face down the stretch.

Also worth watching: how the Bengals adjust their game plan in the short term. If Burrow is eased back in, expect a heavier dose of the run game, which could shift value to Joe Mixon props. But if he’s full-go, fire up those Ja'Marr Chase anytime TD bets with confidence.

GM Wars: Why Joe Schoen Might Stick Around

Back to the Giants for a second — because the front office drama there is almost as compelling as what's happening on the field. Joe Schoen has made some eyebrow-raising decisions, including letting Saquon Barkley walk and missing on a few high draft picks. But league insiders argue he’s done enough to earn another shot at building a contender.

The defense, in particular, has been stocked with talent, even if the results haven’t shown up yet. If the team brings in a coach who can actually make the most of what’s there, things could turn around quickly. That’s important for bettors eyeing futures markets — especially for a team that might be undervalued due to recent underperformance.

And let’s be honest: the Giants haven’t exactly nailed their coaching hires lately. From Ben McAdoo to Pat Shurmur to Joe Judge, it’s been a revolving door of mediocrity. Keeping Schoen and giving him one more shot to get the head coaching hire right might actually be the most stable move this franchise has made in a decade.

Still, don’t bet the farm on a 2024 Giants resurgence just yet. But don’t be shocked if they sneak up on some teams late in the year — especially if Kafka gets this offense moving and Dart lives up to the hype.

Takeaways

• The Giants have fired Brian Daboll but kept GM Joe Schoen, signaling a partial rebuild with Mike Kafka now serving as interim head coach.
• Jackson Dart's development could be huge for bettors — watch for changes in offensive philosophy and potential prop betting value.
• Joe Burrow’s return to practice boosts Bengals futures and could swing AFC playoff races if he returns soon at full strength.
• Despite a rough track record, Schoen might get a second chance — and if he nails the next coaching hire, the Giants could finally escape the basement.

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