Shane Bowen shoulders blame — all of it — for Giants’ historic collapse

Shane Bowen patted his hand against his chest to show where blame falls for the Giants’ historic collapse. 

That the embattled defensive coordinator wore a Giants logo right in the middle of his sweatshirt — and he was falling on the sword for the entire operation — was unintended irony.

Yes, Bowen made the passive play call — rushing three against quarterback Bo Nix and dropping eight into coverage — on the first play of the 33-second drive that led to the Broncos’ walk-off field goal in last week’s 33-32 loss.

But head coach Brian Daboll could’ve dictated to Bowen to be more aggressive, the position coaches could’ve spoken up during the chaos to get the best players on the field, or any of the defensive players could’ve made a big play.

“It is just an extremely tough, disappointing way to lose, especially how well we played early in that game,” Bowen said Thursday, four days after his defense went from pitching a 45-minute shutout to allowing 33 fourth-quarter points.

“I have to do a better job getting these guys in positions to make plays in the fourth quarter. And I also have to make sure our best guys are on the field in those critical times.”

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The Giants didn’t have Dexter Lawrence or Abdul Carter on the field — using Roy Robertson-Harris in Lawrence’s place — when the Broncos completed a 29-yard pass against seven defensive backs. Lawrence was on the field for the ensuing 22-yard completion to set up the field goal.

“With Dex,” Bowen said, “I have to make sure he’s out there.”

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Lawrence, who still is searching for his first sack this season, as well as edge rushers Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, all played between 52-57 of 81 defensive snaps. Whose call is personnel in that defining spot?

“It’s me,” Bowen said. “It’s all me.”

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The Giants’ defensive captains tried to shoulder the blame after the perception of fraying in the locker room emerged.

Burns, who was emotionally shouting “drop eight” in the tunnel after the game ended, explained Wednesday that was the “perfect call” in that scenario and gave a vote of confidence to Bowen.

One day later, it was Bowen’s turn to face the music.

“That’s how Shane is,” safety Tyler Nubin told The Post. “He’s calling the plays, so he ultimately feels like he has responsibility over all that, but it’s a team effort. It’s never one person. We have a lot of people that really care, take their job seriously and are not afraid to take responsibility when there is a finger to blame.”

Protecting a two-point lead, Bowen recognized that the Broncos were timeout-less and in a seven-man protection.

“It’s a cat-and-mouse game, understanding how they’re going to attack you,” Bowen said. “I had an idea of what was coming. It felt like we were in a good call. Obviously, it didn’t work out, and it wasn’t what we wanted it to be.”

It was just one week earlier that Daboll boasted about telling Bowen to be more aggressive in a key spot that led to an interception against the Eagles. 

“I think me and Dabes are always in constant communication on game day,” Bowen said. “He knows what’s going on. It’s always back and forth.”

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Seldom-used Beau Brade and Nic Jones were on the field because of injuries to Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo. But it was Dru Phillips who allowed the first completion and Deonte Banks who allowed the second.

“I have to do a better job making sure these guys understand the situation, what it is, understand the call, and how we’re going to execute it,” Bowen said.

Daboll screamed in the direction of Bowen as the clock wound down then spiked his hat and headset after the kick sailed through the uprights. Considering Daboll’s history of tense relationships with fired coordinators Wink Martindale and Thomas McGaughey, did the reaction anger Bowen?

“Nothing of note with me,” Bowen said.

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Many outspoken Giants fans have turned Bowen into the culprit for a 2-5 record. The long-dormant offense looks like it has broken through with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, and the Giants have lost two games (one to the Cowboys) that they led in the final 33 seconds.

“It’s the NFL. You have to perform each week,” Bowen said. “Get back out there, get this taste out of our mouth, lean on the guys, lean on the coaches. One way or another, we’re in this thing together.”

Two weeks ago, Bowen was a star in the win against the Eagles. Now his ability to feed quick adjustments to the players will be tested with the rematch on tap Sunday.

“I have a good relationship with all these guys,” Bowen said, “where I hope they’re able to voice their opinions to me — good, bad, indifferent — as it goes.”