Harbaugh Backs Zvada Despite Recent Misses
Giants coach John Harbaugh says he remains confident in kicker Dominic Zvada, whom he hand-picked, despite shaky kicks before the bye week.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football
New York Giants coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence in kicker Dominic Zvada at a Wednesday press conference, despite Zvada being shaky in the weeks leading up to the team's bye week. The Giants play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Why it matters
Kicker reliability can decide close games, and the Giants' confidence in Zvada signals whether the team will keep relying on him as the season continues. Harbaugh said Zvada is expected to be a long-term answer at the position.
Former Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes advised the team to stop asking Zvada to attempt kicks of 55+ yards outside end-of-half or end-of-game situations. The stub does not provide Zvada's make-miss totals or how his accuracy compares with other kickers.
The players
John Harbaugh
Head coach of the New York Giants who hand-picked kicker Dominic Zvada for the role.
Dominic Zvada
Kicker for the New York Giants and a former Michigan standout whose recent kicks have been shaky.
Lawrence Tynes
Former NFL kicker who suggested the Giants limit Zvada's attempts from 55+ yards outside end-of-half or end-of-game situations.
The details
Harbaugh said the Giants are looking for kicks to go straight through the uprights and that the team will be disappointed if Zvada misses a kick or two. Zvada, a former Michigan standout, was hand-picked by Harbaugh for the role.
Timeline
Weeks before the Giants' bye week: Zvada was shaky in kicks.
Wednesday: Harbaugh expressed confidence in Zvada at a press conference.
Sunday: The Giants play the Philadelphia Eagles.
Season Trajectory
The Giants' reliance on a newly hand-picked kicker comes as the team heads into a key Sunday matchup against the Eagles. Tynes's advice to limit long attempts reflects how kicker decisions can shape a team's late-game options during the season.
Fantasy managers and fans tracking the Giants should note that Zvada's ability to make kicks in Sunday's game against the Eagles will affect how the team scores points in close contests. The advice to avoid long attempts outside end-of-half or end-of-game situations may limit how often Giants fans see 55+ yard kicks.
The takeaway
Kicker confidence can carry a team through a rough stretch, but the Giants' decision to shorten long-attempt usage shows that coaches weigh distance and situation carefully. Readers following the Giants should watch whether Zvada's accuracy improves against the Eagles.
What happens next
The Giants play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, the next test for Zvada after his recent shaky kicks.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Football coverage in New York City.
