Big Blue View
The New York Giants lost their seventh game of the season on Sunday to the Washington Commanders. Their 27-22 defeat at MetLife Stadium gave Washington a season sweep over the Giants. Washington (7-2) had not swept the Giants since 2021, and has done so only twice since 2011.
Unlike most games this season, the Giants’ defense was mostly to blame. Dexter Lawrence and other defensive players echoed this observation after the game. The defense had several blown coverages that Washington didn’t capitalize on, and their inability to get off the field proved devastating for the Giants.
Washington had an 11-play, 70-yard drive that lasted six minutes and a 12-play, 87-yard drive that lasted 5:13 in the first half; both drives ended in touchdowns. Washington then had a 10-play, 57-yard drive that took 4:54 off the clock and an 11-play, 63-yard drive that lasted 5:39; at least both those second-half drives ended in field goals.
Tyler Nubin’s blown coverage against Olamide Zaccheaus with 2:05 left in the game on second-and-nine was just another mistake by the secondary that all but secured victory for the Commanders.
The most crucial part of the game occurred with less than 30 seconds left in the first half. Washington suffered a Nick Allegretti offensive holding penalty that backed them up to the Giants’ 44-yard line. Brian Burns made two consecutive sensational plays (pass defenses and run STOP) to force a third-and-18 with 20 seconds left in the first half from the Giants’ 42-yard line:
Isaiah Simmons deserves significant credit for tracking Dyami Brown down for the tackle; I love to see that kind of hustle from a situational veteran who only played six snaps in the game on a team where effort is coming into question.
Dru Phillips has shined bright all season. He’s a beacon of light for Giant fans in an otherwise tenebrous season. Still, this was an untimely mistake from the rookie that gave Jayden Daniels one last chance at the end zone with six seconds on the clock and one timeout:
Washington rolled out a 3x1 set and McLaurin forced Banks to collapse on his inside move; Banks made a terrible decision in a Cover 4 defense with inside help and just six seconds left in the half. Banks was responsible for the deep fourth and gave that space to McLaurin, but then Banks failed to put up an adequate defense in recovery mode. This made the score 21-7 heading into half-time, with Washington receiving the football.
Banks surrendered the first touchdown to McLaurin as well, albeit Phillips claimed he should have switched assignments with Banks on the goal line; McLaurin had this to say about facing Banks in that spot:
The sequence of plays at the end of the first half dealt the Giants a devastating blow to their chances of winning this football game. The Giants’ defense did hold back the offense, but only seven points were scored by the offense in the first half. One reason for the lack...
