Big Blue View
Jayden Daniels threw two first-half touchdown passes and the Washington Commanders held off the New York Giants 21-6 on Sunday in the season opener at FedEx Field.
Daniels connected with Zach Ertz for a first-quarter score and rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the second to build a 14-3 halftime lead. Washington’s defense did the rest, keeping New York out of the end zone and limiting the Giants to a pair of Graham Gano field goals.
Russell Wilson, making his Giants debut, scrambled for several key gains but struggled through the air. New York’s best chance came in the third quarter after a fourth-down conversion, but a dropped pass stalled the drive. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers drew consistent double coverage, forcing the Giants to look elsewhere in the passing game.
Defensive end Brian Burns registered two sacks as the Giants held Washington to just one touchdown in the second half. Still, the offense managed just 270 total yards and failed to convert red-zone opportunities.
A third-quarter ruling on a Terry McLaurin drop wiped out what would have been a big Washington gain, allowing the Giants to stay within one score. New York’s ensuing drive ended with Gano’s 55-yard field goal, its final points of the day.
A 2second-and-15 conversion from Daniels to Austin Ekeler in the fourth quarter resulted in a washington first down. Just a play later Deebo Samuel took a 19 yard reverse to the house to make it 20-6.
The Giants went 0-for-2 in the red zone and failed to score a touchdown despite holding Washington to just seven points after halftime.
The Giants travel to Arlington, Texas next Sunday to face the 0-1 Dallas Cowboys, 24-20 losers to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. Game time is 1 p.m.
