Perhaps Matt Dodge was breathing a little easier on Monday.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin told reporters he’s sticking with Dodge, the rookie punter who didn’t heed his instructions to kick out of bounds against the Eagles. DeSean Jackson instead returned that punt 65 yards for a touchdown and an amazing win for the Eagles, but the latest heartbreak for the Giants.

Coughlin said he spoke to Dodge and the team “didn’t have much discussion” about bringing in another punter.

“You’ve got to move on. That’s over,” Coughlin said. “You can’t do anything about it. I said that you’ve got to figure out how to do the things that I ask you to do and he is no more to blame than me or anybody else.”

But then there was this: When asked what he did last night to move forward from the loss, Coughlin said he sat in the dark.

“I sat in a room with the lights out for about two and a half hours,” Coughlin said. “It’s not funny. It’s not the way it’s supposed to be.”

When asked how many losses have caused him to sit in the dark, Coughlin said, “A few, unfortunately.”

With his job safe, Dodge even met with reporters, and pointed out the obvious when asked where his confidence is at.

“It’s good,” he said. “I’m still here obviously. I came in and my locker was still here. So that was good. I’m a confident guy, regardless. Football doesn’t define me. I know it’s my job and everything, and I didn’t get it done.”

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