No Winners As Giants Washington Tie

The New York Giants needed a victory to avoid being last place in the NFC East, but Sunday’s game wasn’t a win or loss, as they tied the Washington Commanders 20-20 in the MetLife Stadium.

New York overcame a slow start in their second “legacy match” of the season with aggressive defense and equally matched energy from the offense in the second quarter.  However, the Giants performance diminished in overtime with some mistakes and the fight ended just short of a field goal.

“You always like to win the game, but there are things we could try to do better,” said first year head coach Brian Daboll.The Giants received the kick off and worked towards their goal line.  QB Daniel Jones handed off on the third play to RB Saquon Barkley who rushed for five yards, making his total 1,000 yards for this season. Jones rushed up the middle on the next play and fumbled. The Commanders scored with a field goal on their first possession and followed it with a touchdown on their next possession. 

The Giants trailed 10-0 going into the second quarter, but was in field goal range in three plays.  A successful 48 yard field goal by Graham Gano gave New York three points. Giants defense worked to get the ball back. An impressive quarterback sack by defensive lineman Justin Ellis helped.  Jones then launched a 55-yard pass to wide receiver Darius Slayton on their next possession.  Four plays later he hands the ball to Barkley who rushed 13 yards for a touchdown. Washington followed up with a field goal and Gano answered with another field goal to tie the score at 13 just before halftime.

Outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, in his first game after returning from the injured reserve list, made a big impact for the Giants in the third quarter. “I thought Azeez did some good things on his limited snap count,” said Daboll.

Ojulari was credited with a sack and forced fumble as he hit Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke as he threw the ball during the Commanders’ first possession of the third quarter.  Ojulari then recovered the double-fumble ball and set up the Giants for their next touchdown.

“I was so hyped because it’s been so long since I’ve been back on the field,” he said.  “That just gave me so much juice and I was lit.” 

Several plays later Jones passed for 6 yards to wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins in the endzone for the touchdown.

Washington scored a touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The teams then went to overtime. Neither teams could score.Heinicke completed 27 of 41 passes for 275 yards. Jones completed 25 of 31 passes for 200 yards. 

“It’s an important game, I think we all felt that – all understood what was at stake,” Jones said about the pressure of overtime.  “I think you focus on what you got to do, you focus on executing. We all felt prepared for the situation.”The Giants needed the win as they get ready to face the Philadelphia Eagles at home this Sunday who sit first place in the NFC East.