What a start to Week 2 for Brian Daboll, with penalties flying high! The Giants and Cowboys stepped onto the AT&T Stadium turf with a shared goal: to even out their win-loss records this season. But Big Blue had a different kind of balancing act in mind: leveling up their penalty count. Right out the gate, James Hudson III turned New York’s first drive into a tragedy of flags. Four penalties in one drive, something not seen this century, according to the Fox Sports broadcast. And he was just warming up.

Hudson, starting at left tackle for the injured Andrew Thomas, put on a penalty clinic. First came a 5-yard false start at the Cowboys’ 15-yard line, killing a potential play before it even began. Not a minute later, Hudson’s unnecessary roughness flag slammed down hard for 15 yards. It was right after Russell Wilson connected on a 50-yard bomb to Wan’Dale Robinson that got called back. For good measure, Hudson threw another false start, setting the Giants back 5 yards again at the 47-yard line. Then came the head slap on James Houston, an unnecessary roughness penalty that added 15 yards.

Russell Wilson did manage to avoid disaster for a moment, but not for long. At 9:16 in the first quarter, Houston finally got his revenge. He sacked Wilson for a 5-yard loss at the 43-yard line. And just before that, Hudson had smacked Houston, triggering the penalty right around the same time. Ultimately, Brian Daboll had to bench offensive lineman Hudson midway through the first half. Hudson was flagged four times on the opening drive, including two 15-yard personal fouls for hits to the head.

Hudson had to be calmed down by coaches and teammates as he left the field, replaced by Marcus Mbow, who wasn’t exactly penalty-free either, with a false start on his first snap. The Giants crossed midfield three times but ended the first drive with a mere field goal, thanks to those costly errors. This is the kind of self-sabotage that Brian Daboll wants off his playbook.

If the Giants wanted to be physical, they certainly delivered. These challenges were expected for the Cowboys. Brian Daboll’s squad looked like they had nothing left to lose after a season-opening loss and were dialing up the brutality. The Giants held a 6-0 lead after the first quarter. Unfortunately, six penalties wiped away three times as much yardage, including a negated 67-yard kickoff return. But Hudson’s actions could land him in hot water beyond just frustrating his team.

Brian Daboll’s headache: Hudson’s penalties spark NFL trouble

The NFL’s player safety rules list hefty fines and punishments for unnecessary roughness and other personal fouls. For offenses like striking or roughing the passer, the fine ranges between $17,389 – $23,186. The kinds of repeated infractions Hudson committed, especially the head slap on Houston, could trigger a fine in this range.

Aside from fines, the Giants’ benching of Hudson midway through the first quarter sends a clear message. Brian Daboll isn’t going to tolerate destabilizing penalties that risk injury to a prized asset like Wilson. The switch to Mbow was an immediate response to stop the bleeding. The Giants have given Wilson a fresh start and deserve better protection if they want to keep pushing for wins.

Hudson’s costly penalties and physicality that treads the line between hard-fought and reckless may invite further league discipline. The Giants’ gamble on Hudson, standing in for an injured player, did not pay off. Brian Daboll’s team showed early on that discipline on the field matters just as much as talent.