The New York Giants were frustrating in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders. They were inefficient on the ground, made terrible defensive lapses, and the Jameis Winston Experience kept raising questions about who should start at quarterback. Despite all of this, the Giants tied the game in the fourth quarter — the team doesn’t go away!
Jameis Winston and the Giants’ offense put together 150 yards in the fourth quarter to tie the game with 1:43 left. Some may point to the Giants benefiting from
officiating, specifically on the negated Amik Robertson interception, but Washington also committed terrible penalties throughout the game that put their offense into disadvantageous situations — they were playing sloppy football.
New York had the football in field goal range to win the game in overtime, but Cam Skattebo fumbled the football. And then — AND THEN — Washington, without a timeout, ran a play and time expired, giving the Giants a 27-27 divisional tie against the Washington Commanders.
Quarterback
I entered halftime thinking: is it J.J. McCarthy time? The Giants offense had 77 yards in the first half. It was lifeless, couldn’t run the football, and the Jameis Winston experience was not enjoyable…up until the fourth quarter. Jameis Winston led three consecutive touchdown drives to send the game into overtime. It was, once again, the Jameis Winston Experience. Winston finished 33 of 54 for 326 yards and three touchdowns.
The Giants used a J.J. McCarthy package to leverage his athleticism, but it didn’t work. Some plays had elements where McCarthy would enter the mesh point, but Washington was all over the package. Although the offense looked inept for much of the game, it finished with 408 yards of total offense and would have scored more than 30 points if it weren’t for a rookie kicker and a costly Skattebo fumble.
Grade: B-
Running back
At times, I asked, “Where is Cam Skattebo?” The Giants used a heavy running back rotation. Tyrone Tracy Jr. operated as the third-down back, and he received several opportunities throughout the game. Najee Harris started the second Giants’ drive and was involved. Harris finished with five carries for 9 yards with a 7-yard long — there was little to no rushing room. Tyrone Tracy Jr. had three carries for 6 yards and he caught two passes for 25 yards.
Skattebo effectively ran in overtime as the pendulum of this game kept swinging. That was until Skattebo fumbled in field-goal range, giving Washington the ball with 1:55 left in overtime. Skattebo finished with 13 carries for 59 yards and one MASSIVE fumble.
Grade: D
Wide receiver
Malik Nabers had two opportunities at the end of the first half to make a play; both were difficult catches to secure, but Nabers failed to secure them. The second – a nine-route in one-on-one action near the goal line – was more difficult but would have given the Giants a much-needed spark. Nabers was critical to the Giants’ comeback, catching 12 of 21 targets for 120 yards with the game-tying touchdown.
Darnell Mooney only secured seven of 14 targets for 14 yards with a bad third-down drop. Malachi Fields secured both of his targets for 20 yards. The Giants have a concentrated target share within the receiver room, but Nabers is the engine.
Grade: A–
Tight end
Isaiah Likely is such a reliable weapon for this Giants’ offense; so many of the plays are scripted for Likely. Theo Johnson made an impressive adjustment on a seam pass, but a bad route almost led to an overtime interception by Jameis Winston. Likely hobbled off the field at the end after catching 11 of 13 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Let’s hope he’s okay.
Grade: A
Offensive line
The Giants are not getting push at the point of attack. Their running game has been flat-out bad and inefficient for most of the season. Winston was sacked twice but wasn’t under constant pressure. Overall, the pass blocking was adequate. The offense had pockets and time to throw throughout the game. But the inefficient rushing attack is a problem, though the crack-toss on third down in overtime was an elite play, going 19 yards to Skattebo, as well as a few other holes that were opened up and assisted by quality play calling by Matt Nagy in overtime.
Grade: B
Defensive line
The Giants defense tightened up after a terrible start. D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris continue to perform well on the line of scrimmage: STOPS, balls batted out of the air, sound gap responsibility – they’ve exceeded their expectations through five weeks.
C.J. Okoye was removed off the line of scrimmage on Washington’s opening touchdown, which led to a much wider hole for Carter to constrict and the linebackers to fit. Jihad Ward saw snaps and will be worked into the rotation now that Chauncey Golston is injured.
Grade: B-
Edge
Abdul Carter made an impact early. He sacked Jayden Daniels on a second-and-9 play that resulted in a punt on Washington’s second drive. Carter then forced a fumble in overtime, but the Giants could not recover, although it forced Washington to punt. The game featured few pure drop-back-and-pass situations. The edge defenders also weren’t making many plays against the run. We haven’t heard Kayvon Thibodeaux’s name much this season.
Grade: B+
Linebacker
The entire defense was locked up on Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s 33-yard touchdown run. However, the defense hunkered down and began to bottle up the rushing attack. Dennard Wilson’s blitzes incorporated the linebackers and the defensive backs, and it did harass Daniels and slow down the offense.
Jayden Daniels had 38- and 26-yard touchdown runs against man coverage that seemed to be without a spy. Edmunds and Reese both made impressive plays, but the run defense wasn’t consistent.
Grade: B
Cornerback
Washington wasn’t slinging the ball around the yard in the wet conditions through much of the game. The cornerbacks weren’t challenged much other than quick slants that Greg Newsome II and Tae Banks struggled to defend. The tackling in overtime was less than desirable. Dru Phillips made an important third-and-10 sack in the first half and another in the fourth quarter. The coverage downfield seemed solid late in the game when Daniels struggled to find open options.
Grade: B
Safety
Tyler Nubin was left in the dust by Croskey-Merrit on the second-year back’s 33-yard touchdown scamper. Nubin’s athletic deficiencies continue to plague him from depth, but he did have a valuable tackle near the line of scrimmage early in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, however, Nubin left the game with an injury to his neck/head area.
Jevon Holland missed a tackle in the alley that resulted in a 22-yard gain. The safeties were tested much through the air, but they both struggled to effectively fit the run. Holland was in the area against Antonio Williams under route that converted on third down. Overall, the Giants did not receive much from their safety position.
Grade: C
Special teams
Dominic Zvada is human. He missed a 50-yard field goal to start the game and then sent a 57-yarder wide left at the end of the first half. Zvada also missed the overtime field goal, which is obviously not ideal. He did, however, hit his 51-yarder later in the first quarter and a 56-yarder to start the second half.
Jordan Stout booted a 59-yard punt and continues to be an asset when his number is called. Jack Kelly JUST missed blocking a punt deep in Washington’s territory. Charlie Jones had 52 yards on four punt returns and 130 yards on five kickoff returns; Jones gives the Giants some burst and excitement at returner.
Grade: C
