One of the most shocking outcomes of Week 7 in the NFL was the New York Giants’ 33-32 loss to the Denver Broncos, despite holding a 19-point lead through the first three quarters. The collapse might have been avoided if Jude McAtamney had made the critical extra point in the final minutes, but his miss allowed Bo Nix to clinch the win with a field goal, eliminating the need for overtime.
McAtamney had already frustrated Giants fans by missing an earlier extra point, but his failure to secure a three-point lead with 37 seconds remaining set the stage for the Broncos’ final drive. A 39-yard field goal completed Denver’s dramatic comeback.
A former Super Bowl champion didn’t hold back on McAtamney’s struggles.
Ex-Super Bowl Champion Offers Blunt Assessment of Jude McAtamney’s Kicking Skill
McAtamney’s struggles overshadowed the Giants’ defense, which also failed to secure the victory (just the 23rd in PFSN’s Defense Impact Season Rank, 70.9 DEFi). One of the most outspoken critics of the kicker was Lawrence Tynes.
Tynes, who played for the Giants from 2007-2012 and also suited up for the Kansas City Chiefs (2001, 2004-2006) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013), expressed his frustration on social media, bluntly stating that McAtamney isn’t an NFL-caliber kicker.
“Hate being critical of kickers, and I love the International program, but McAtamney is not an NFL kicker,” Tynes, who won the Super Bowl in 2012, tweeted.
Hate being critical of kickers, and I love the International program but McAtamaney is not an NFL kicker.
— Lawrence Tynes (@lt4kicks) October 19, 2025
Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, McAtamney joined the Giants in 2024 as an undrafted free agent after playing at Rutgers. Fans were skeptical from the start due to his low field-goal percentage in college, where he made 63.2% of field goals and 95.8% of extra points over two seasons. Despite this, he became the first player from the NFL’s International Pathways Program (IPP) to earn promotion to an active roster.
Originally intended as a backup kicker, McAtamney was promoted to the active roster after Graham Gano’s Week 3 injury and has started every game since.
McAtamney’s start in the NFL left a good impression
McAtamney made a solid first impression, converting two field goals and an extra point against the Chargers in Week 4. He then went 100% on two extra points in Week 5, quieting early criticism despite the Giants’ loss to the Saints.
However, doubts resurfaced in Week 6, when he missed one of five extra points in a win over the Eagles. His mistakes against the Broncos in Week 7 have now sparked questions about whether he will retain the starting job next week.
The humiliating Week 7 loss could open the door for veteran Younghoe Koo, signed in September from the Falcons, to start in the Giants’ crucial matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, amid intense pressure on the team.
