New York Giants special teams coordinator Chris Horton described Dominic Zvada’s three missed field goals against the Washington Commanders as a learning experience that will be cleaned up through small technical adjustments.
Zvada entered the game 9-for-9 on field goals, including three from beyond 50 yards, before missing from 50, 57, and 46. All three were makeable kicks. Horton said the issues involved a few little technique details the staff identified after reviewing the plays.
“It was a great learning experience for us going out there with him being perfect and missing three from 50, 57 and 46,” Horton told reporters on Thursday. “All makeable kicks and all things that we’re going to work on. We believe in him, we trust him and we got confidence
in him.”
Horton does not plan to treat the misses as a confidence problem that requires extra checking in. He said the approach with Zvada is simply to remind him that he is capable and that he is on the roster for a reason.
Because Zvada already understands the mental side of the position and knows his own process, the conversation can move quickly back to the fundamentals.
“I believe you don’t have to check in with him; you just got to remind him that he is damn good,” Horton said. “From a confidence standpoint, that’s solely on him and him understanding that I can go out there and I can do this. It’s much easier to connect with the guy when he already knows who he is and he knows what he’s capable of. He already knew, ‘I was just a little bit too tight to that ball.’”
The conditions in Washington added another layer. A high snap on the first miss drew a quick explanation from long snapper Ben Mann, who told Horton the wet football was slick. Horton also noted the difference in footing on natural grass compared with the turf surfaces the Giants had played on earlier in the season. On grass, the plant foot can slide more, which affects consistency.
“These are the little details that they have to continue to get used to as they play more games,” Horton said. “Kicking a football, it’s about just being about as consistent as you possibly can. And every little centimeter, every little inch, it matters, and it makes the difference.”
Retired Giants kicker and two-time Super Bowl champion Lawrence Tynes shared a similar breakdown this week.
One on left is a make. Ankle in plant leg is lined up with the ball. This is good.
— Lawrence Tynes (@lt4kicks) October 14, 2026
One on the right is a miss. Plant foot is too deep and close to the ball. Out in front and close to the ball can cause you to hook or push it. Not good.
Can be caused by trying to go too hard… pic.twitter.com/q6diGyURZL
Horton said the misses fall short of the standard the Giants want, but he pointed out that similar misses happen to established kickers across the league. The focus remains on returning to the process and correcting the small details before the next opportunity.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' Chris Horton details small technical fixes planned for Dominic Zvada
