Giants coach Brian Daboll’s homecoming to Buffalo marred by injuries and offensive struggles

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo holds a special place in Brian Daboll’s heart that goes beyond being his beloved hometown.

And while the Giants’ second-year coach won five Super Bowl rings as an assistant in New England, it’s his four-year tenure as the Bills’ offensive coordinator and the tight bond he established with quarterback Josh Allen that still resonates.

As much as Allen credited Daboll for being one of his more influential mentors, Daboll cited the quarterback as a person who boosted his coaching career.

“When you’re able to coach good players and be around good players as a coach, they help you,” Daboll said during a Zoom call with Buffalo-area reporters as the Giants (1-4) prepare to travel to play the Bills (3-2) on Sunday night.

“I’ve learned a lot from him as a quarterback, as a leader, how he handles things,” he added. “He’s a hell of a player. He’s a great friend. And I owe him a lot, too.”

If not for his time in Buffalo, where he designed the framework of an electrifying offense around Allen’s strong arm and legs, the 48-year-old Daboll might still be waiting for his first head coaching shot.

The only lament, perhaps, for Daboll is wishing the circumstances might be more ideal for his homecoming, with the offensively challenged and banged-up Giants limping to Buffalo in a less than attractive matchup for prime time.

“Certainly not how we wanted to start the season, but that’s where we’re at,” Daboll said. “So you make no excuses. You get ready to play a really good team on the road in a great environment.”

The Bills are 15 1/2-point favorites according to FanDuel SportsBook in facing a Giants opponent that will be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones (neck), features an offense that has allowed an NFL-high 30 sacks and has yet to find the end zone in the first half this season.

Bills coach Sean McDermott didn’t bother with the Giants’ struggles, saying they’re better than their record before noting his team has plenty of issues of its own.

Injuries are piling up. Buffalo’s down three defensive starters after placing linebacker Matt Milano (lower right leg) and tackle DaQuan Jones (pectoral muscle) on IR this week, where they join cornerback Tre’Davious White (torn right Achilles tendon).