The NY Giants lost their eight-straight game, losing 29-21 to the Commanders in Week 15.
The Giants had one final chance to tie it late, but the comeback fell just short Sunday afternoon as the Commanders held on to win at MetLife Stadium.
Washington built its cushion with a dominant second quarter and survived a late push from the Giants, improving to 4–10 on the season. New York dropped to 2–12, despite finishing with more total yards and nearly identical time of possession.
The Commanders opened
the scoring with a 46-yard Jake Moody field goal, then broke things open in the second quarter. Jacory Croskey-Merritt punched in a 16-yard touchdown run, Moody added two more field goals, and the momentum swung sharply when Jaylin Lane returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown. A field goal as time expired sent Washington into halftime up 22–7.
The Giants responded out of the break. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart led an 82-yard drive capped by an 18-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Tracy Jr., cutting the deficit to eight.
Any hope of a full comeback stalled early in the fourth when Marcus Mariota connected with Terry McLaurin for a 51-yard touchdown, extending Washington’s lead to 29–14.
New York wasn’t finished. Dart found Wan’Dale Robinson for a 16-yard touchdown with 3:43 remaining, pulling the Giants within one score. After forcing a stop, the Giants got the ball back one final time with under two minutes to play.
Facing 4th-and-8 at the Washington 38-yard line, Dart’s deep pass intended for Robinson fell incomplete, ending the Giants’ last realistic chance to tie the game.
Dart finished 20-of-36 for 246 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Tracy Jr. led the ground game with 70 rushing yards and a score, while Theo Johnson paced the Giants with 72 receiving yards.
For Washington, Mariota went 10-of-19 for 211 yards and a touchdown, Croskey-Merritt added 96 rushing yards, and McLaurin’s 51-yard strike proved to be the game-winner. Safety Quan Martin led the Commanders with nine tackles, while Von Miller recorded a sack.
Game stats
Giants
- Jaxson Dart: 20/36, 246 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
- Tyrone Tracy Jr.: 15 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 27 yards, 1 touchdown
- Theo Johnson: 3 catches, 72 yards
- Abdul Carter: 7 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 forced fumbles
- Darius Muasau: 11 tackles
Team
- 384 total yards
- 22 first downs
- 2-of-12 on third down
- 29:12 time of possession
Commanders
- Marcus Mariota: 10/19, 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 18 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble
- Terry McLaurin: 3 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD
- Von Miller: 3 tackles, 1.0 sack
- Quan Martin: 9 tackles
Team
- 342 total yards
- 19 first downs
- 3-of-10 on third down
- 29:11 time of possession
Key takeaways for the Giants
Second-quarter damage
Washington’s 19-point quarter — highlighted by the punt return — created too big of a hole.
Late execution still lacking
The Giants gave themselves a final shot but couldn’t convert on fourth down.
Encouraging signs from Dart
The rookie showed poise and playmaking ability, even in a high-pressure late-game situation.
Giants inactives
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux | Shoulder
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches | Ankle
P Jamie Gillan | Left knee
QB Russell Wilson | Emergency 3rd QB
WR/KR Gunner Olszewski | Concussion
WR Ryan Miller
OT James Hudson III
What’s next?
The Giants will be back at MetLife Stadium again in Week 16 to host the Minnesota Vikings in a 1 p.m. ET start.
