The Washington Commanders looked poised for their second win of the season—their first in the NFC East—in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Washington held a 27-13 lead midway through the fourth quarter before the defense fell apart late, allowing Jameis Winston to throw for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to tie things at 27.
The Commanders had a chance to tie late in regulation, but failed, sending the game into overtime. In overtime, both teams had chances. The Giants missed a field goal, and in the final minutes, Cam Skattebo fumbled with New York in field goal range. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Commanders downfield and into field goal range. However, in the final seconds, instead of clocking the ball to attempt a potential
game-winning field goal, Daniels ran a play and ran out of time.
This game ended in a tie. Both teams blew opportunities to win. However, for Washington, the most disappointing thing was blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Here are six takeaways from the Commanders’ 27-27 tie that sends them to 1-3-1 on the season, with the San Francisco 49ers on deck.
Jayden Daniels looked like Jayden Daniels
Daniels returned from a dislocated left (non-throwing) elbow after missing two games and wore a brace on his left elbow. Daniels looked terrific for much of the game, throwing accurately and running the ball. Daniels showed no hesitation, which was a positive sign. He completed 17 of 29 passes for 199 yards and took care of the football in sloppy conditions, as he was under duress for much of the game. Daniels ran the ball nine times for 103 yards and two touchdowns. The end result will overshadow how well Daniels played, but moving forward, the Commanders should be excited to have their franchise quarterback back.
Where did Chig Okonkwo go?
In the first quarter, we finally saw why the Commanders signed Chig Okonkwo to a three-year deal in the offseason. He caught four balls for 60 yards. The Giants struggled to defend him. Then, he went quiet. Why? Why didn’t offensive coordinator David Blough find creative ways to keep Okonkwo involved? Meanwhile, on the other side, the Giants signed tight end Isaiah Likely this offseason and fed him the entire game, to the tune of 11 receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
This is not to blame Okonkwo. That’s on Blough. Feed the hot hand. Okonkwo showed what he can do, and you went away from him.
No answer for blitz
The Giants pressured Daniels a lot. New York was credited with five sacks, but a couple of those were more of Daniels scrambling and being tackled. New York’s pass rush didn’t overwhelm Washington straight up, so it blitzed often. During his rookie season, Daniels was lethal against the blitz because then-offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury gave him options when pressured. Blough appeared to have no answers against the Giants, often leading Daniels to throw it away to avoid negative plays. Yes, Blough is learning on the go, but he must address these basics in his offense.
New defensive coordinator, same old story
Jim Haslett. Joe Barry. Greg Manusky. Jack Del Rio. Ron Rivera. Joe Whitt. Dan Quinn. Daronte Jones. It never matters.
— Commanders Wire (@Washington_Wire) October 11, 2026
The Commanders held a 27-13 lead midway through the fourth quarter and allowed the Giants to tie it with around two minutes remaining. That should not happen. It doesn’t matter who the defensive coordinator is; this defense keeps stinking—year after year. Listening to the Commanders postgame broadcast, you’d think Daronte Jones was Brian Flores—not a guy who worked for Flores trying to be Flores. Washington somehow let Jameis Winston—a quarterback known for turning the ball over—pass for 326 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He completed 22 of his 33 passes to two players. The Commanders had no answers. Every tight end Washington plays is vintage Kellen Winslow Sr. That’s a coaching problem.
No pass rush
Again, one member of the Commanders’ postgame broadcast was heaping praise on Jones for putting Winston in a blender. Well, that’s not what he said, but it was close. Like, what were you watching? Winston was sacked only twice. How many times did Washington get close and couldn’t even bring him down? How does Winston run for 15 yards on third-and-10? Where was Odafe Oweh? Washington's $100 million offseason investment didn't get his name called until overtime, when he got flagged for a 15-yard facemask penalty. Can he not win one-on-one? Can’t Jones scheme him up to get after opposing passers? When the analytics come out this week showing Jones pressured Winston on 71% of his dropbacks, kindly ignore that useless information. Winston was under duress only extremely rarely, especially in the second half. He sat back in the pocket, avoided the rush with ease, and found the same two receivers all game.
It ultimately falls on Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn was hired as head coach because of his defensive prowess. Don’t laugh. Yet here we are, three years in, and this defense looks like the same unit—with different names—that got Jack Del Rio fired after Thanksgiving 2023. These days, Quinn is the great delegator. He allows Jones to run his own defense. Allows Blough to run the offense. Quinn’s job is culture, brotherhood and clock management. It’s a good thing he has the first two because he doesn’t understand the third. Yes, Daniels deserves blame for a lack of awareness and for not spiking the football. The same goes for Blough. But shouldn’t the head coach, who has no other game-day responsibilities, be in the OC’s ear telling him what needs to happen in the final seconds?
Quinn may be likable and a great leader. But the buzzwords fall short when your team loses week after week. What does Dan Quinn do? It’s a fair question. In his last 17 games, Quinn has a 3-13-1 record. What did Bill Parcells say? You are what your record says you are.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 6 takeaways from Commanders' 27-27 tie with Giants
