ClutchPoints
The New York Giants entered the 2025 season determined to erase the bitter taste of 2024. Instead, they stumbled out of the gate in all-too-familiar fashion. With the NFC East as competitive as ever, the Giants needed to make a statement in their opener. What they delivered, though, was an anemic offense, porous defense, and coaching that seemed a step behind. Fans expecting signs of progress were left shaking their heads after yet another divisional defeat.
The Giants began the 2025 season with a discouraging 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders. It extended their pattern of slow starts under head coach Brian Daboll. After an offseason built on optimism for a rebound, the Giants again looked out of sync offensively. They failed to establish rhythm and faltered with breakdowns in key moments. Their defensive front managed to avoid being completely overwhelmed. However, repeated lapses ultimately sealed the defeat.
Adding to the frustration, the Giants still haven’t broken through in divisional play. They were one of just two NFL teams (the Las Vegas Raiders being the other) that failed to win a single divisional game in 2024. One week into the new campaign, Big Blue is still searching for that elusive breakthrough within the NFC East.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the New York Giants personnel most to blame for close Week 1 loss to Commanders.
If the Giants were hoping their offensive line issues were behind them, Week 1 proved otherwise. Without left tackle Andrew Thomas, who sat with a foot injury, the Giants turned to free agent James Hudson III. The drop-off was obvious. However, Hudson wasn’t the only problem. Across the board, the line was beaten at the point of attack. They failed to generate any push in the run game and allowed far too much pressure on quarterback Russell Wilson.
Washington’s revamped defensive front dominated from start to finish. Yes, the Commanders have made major upgrades to their line. That said, that doesn’t excuse the Giants’ inability to match their physicality. Wilson was hurried into rushed throws and the offense never found rhythm. If this group doesn’t improve quickly, it’s hard to see how the Giants can compete in a division loaded with disruptive defensive lines.
Equally damning was the Giants’ inability to stop the run. Washington gashed them for 220 rushing yards. The Commanders averaged 6.9 yards per carry, which was a staggering number in any NFL game. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels repeatedly found room to scramble. He tallied 68 yards on 11 attempts, and rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt broke off an electric 42-yard run en route to 82 yards and a touchdown.
Even more concerning was the creativity with which the Commanders attacked New York’s defense. Wideout Deebo Samuel added a 19-yard touchdown run. That further exposed the Giants’ tackling issues. This was a failure of fundamentals. A defense...
