Hogs Haven
No punts; no turnovers; no touchdowns - Washington scratches out a win
Both the Giants and the Commanders entered the game with 0-1 records and needing a win to avoid a brutal winless start through two weeks. Jayden Daniels provided most of the offensive production for the Commanders in Week 1, while Daniel Jones struggled mightily against the Vikings.
Jones’ history against Washington had seen him enjoy a ton of success, but the Commanders showed up this week with a new coaching staff and a rebuilt roster that weren’t here for those earlier Danny Dimes games. Washington fans were hoping for a new beginning in the series while Giants fans were hoping to see their team save what feels like a critical season in the 3rd year of a rebuild.
This was the home opener for a Washington crowd that was excited to see Jayden Daniels take a step forward from the Week 1 season opener in Tampa where JD5 had carried the ball 16 times (including a pair of kneel-downs), with fans hoping that the rookie would find a way to pass more, run less, and win the game.
In the end, he did all three of those things, but the offensive scoring by the Commanders didn’t really unfold the way most fans expected, as the Commanders scored on every drive — but only field goals.
The Giants won the toss and deferred. Austin Ekeler returned the ball 99 yards for a touchdown that was disallowed due to a holding call. Giants kicker Graham Gano was injured on the play and was listed as ‘doubtful’ by the team.
Commanders
Noah Brown, active for the first time in a Commanders uniform, caught his first pass from Jayden Daniels. A few plays later, on 2nd & 7, Daniels looked like he would be sacked for a loss of about 12 yards, but the rookie quarterback escaped to ‘save’ the play, taking a loss of 3 yards to set up 3rd & 10.
On the third-down play it appeared that Daniels scrambled for a 1st down, beating multiple Giants defenders with a headfirst dive for the marker, but the call was challenged and reversed to bring up 4th & inches.
Dan Quinn elected to go for it, and Brian Robinson picked up over 5 yards with a punishing run to set the team up with a first down near the 25-yard line.
A few plays later, facing 3rd & 14. Austin Ekeler ran the ball 13 yards right up the middle to set up another 4th down; again, Quinn decided to go for it.
With just 5:27 left in the first quarter, the Commanders’ opening drive was at the Giants 4-yard line, but a false start by TE Ben Sinnott brought the drive to an end. Facing 4th & 6, the Commanders lined up for a field goal attempt by the brand new kicker, Austin Seibert.
It’s easy to forget the drama that Washington had gone through in the...
