Big Blue View
The New York Giants lost their eighth straight game on Sunday, 29-21 to the Washington Commanders. That allowed Washington to snap its eight-game losing streak and kept the Giants in possession of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here are the ‘Kudos & Wet Willies’ from yet another disappointing effort.
Abdul Carter — It would appear that the two benchings Carter endured in the first three weeks of Mike Kafka’s time as interim head coach have had some impact. Carter started the game and had a tackle for loss on Washington’s first offensive play. He finished with seven tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a quarterback hit, and three tackles for loss.
Carter’s tackle for loss/forced fumble/fumble recovery with 2:38 to play gave the Giants a final opportunity to tie the game. They, of course, did not take advantage.
This was the kind of impact the Giants were expecting when the made Carter the No. 3 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tyrone Tracy — Forgotten early in the season because of a shoulder injury and the emergence of Cam Skattebo, the second-year running back keeps reminding people that he is a good player. Tracy had a well-earned 12-yard touchdown run and an 18-yard touchdown reception. He finished with 15 carries for 70 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and three receptions for 27 yards.
Giants special teams — Younghoe Koo badly missed field goals from 52 and 51 yards. Had Mike Kafka paid attention to pre-game warmups Koo would not have been asked to kick those. Still, awful.
The Giants gave up a punt return touchdown for the second straight week. This one was a 63-yarder by Jaylin Lane on a line drive kick down the middle of the field by substitute punter Cameron Johnston.
Darius Slayton — The Giants paid Slayton $36 over three years ($22 million guaranteed) in the offseason. He has not been worth it. On Sunday, Slayton had two game-altering drops in the second half. He dropped what should have been a 35-yard touchdown pass from Dart that would have pulled the Giants within two points on the second-to-last play of the third quarter. The Giants got no points. Earlier in the third quarter, Slayton dropped a third-and-4 slant that would have given the Giants a first down.
Mike Kafka — I don’t know what happened to the Kafka who was aggressive and impressive in his first two games as interim head coach, but this was another mystifyingly called game. It’s pretty clear at this point that Kafka won’t be getting the permanent head-coaching job at season’s end.
