Giants vs Commanders: What did I just watch?

Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Washington Commanders looked like another terrible game for the New York Football Giants. Although this one pushed Giants to 2-12 on the season, they still fought tooth and nail to the bitter end.

Quick Recap

A missed field goal, four punts, a rushing touchdown and an interception. That was the first half for the Giants. It felt like Jaxson Dart wasn't in rhythm with his receivers and they struggled to move the ball down field. Not a lot to be excited about heading into the break. At the break, the Commanders led the Giants, 22-7.

The third quarter kicked off with a bang as Dart led the offense down field, capping off an 82-yard drive with a Tyrone Tracy Jr. 18-yard receiving touchdown. That brought some life to the offense, bringing them within 8 points of the Commanders. Neither team scored again until the 13:46 mark of the fourth quarter as Terry McLaurin burned the secondary for a 51-yard receiving touchdown. Paulson Adebo had one of the uglier missed tackles of the season, turning McLaurin around and giving him an extra boost into the end zone. All felt lost, but then Dane Belton forced a fumble that put the Giants in Washington territory. Dart then found Wan'Dale Robinson on 4th & 5 for a 16-yard touchdown with 3:43 remaining. There was life.

The Giants then forced ANOTHER fumble - this time by Abdul Carter - setting them up with the ball with 2:38 left in the game. The offense was able to muster just 13 yards, Dart missed his receivers on a couple of passes, and the Giants turned the ball over on downs on a questionable deep ball from Dart to Robinson on 4th & 8. The Commanders escaped with a 29-21 win.

Key Contributors

Tough loss, but a few Giants stuffed the stat sheet. One of them had the best game of his early career.

1. Abdul Carter

   My Giants player of the game. He racked up 7 total tackles, 3 TFLs and one sack resulting in a fumble.

2. Tyrone Tracy Jr.

   The bright spot of the Giants' offense today. He generated 107 scrimmage yards and scored both on the ground and through the air.

Final Thoughts

I always like beating up on the Commanders, but this one didn't go the Giants way, even with some theatrics at the end there. Dart will now need to wait until 2026 to try and pick up his first win against Washington.

All isn't lost, though, as the Giants still control the top pick in the 2026 NFL draft. I'm always going to root for wins, but it will be nice if they could for once keep a hold on the top spot and dangle that pick in front of other teams to grab some additional draft capital. They already have their quarterback of the future in Jaxson Dart. If they are able to lock up the number-1 pick, then whoever is managing this team come next year should be looking to trade back.

Next week, the Giants take on JJ McCarthy and the Vikings in their final chance to rattle off a win at home.