The New York Giants (3-1) travel down to the Nation's capital to face their long-time rivals, the Washington Commanders (1-3), this Sunday afternoon at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
Here are six things to know before the Week 5 kickoff.
The series
This is the 187th regular-season meeting between the Giants and Washington, dating back to 1932, when the Washington franchise was in Boston as the Braves. The Giants lead the series, 107-74-5. The clubs have met twice in the postseason, with each winning once.
In the most recent regular season meeting, in Week 15 last season, the Commanders defeated the Giants, 29-21, at MetLife Stadium. The Giants' last victory in the series was in Week 11 of the 2023 season in Washington, a 31-19 win. They've lost
the last four meetings.
The Commanders have a 42-50-2 all-time record at home against the Giants.
The Commanders so far
Washington lost its first two regular-season games against NFC East rivals Philadelphia (24-22) and Dallas (37-20) on the road. In Week 3, they shocked the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks at home, 33-31.
Last week, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, the Commanders lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 30-13, despite winning the time of possession and outgaining the Colts, 317 yards to 257.
The Giants so far
Big Blue opened the season with two nationally televised games. In Week 1, they defeated the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football at home, 28-20, and then lost the following Monday night in Los Angeles to the Rams, 28-6.
In Weeks 3 and 4 at home in the rain, they staved off late comebacks from the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals with game-ending interceptions.
Tale of the tape
The Commanders are 19th in total offense (314.8 yards per game). The Giants are 26th (283.3). The Commanders are 16th in points scored per game (22.0). The Giants are 21st, averaging 20.5 points per game.
The Giants are ninth in total defense (314.3 YPG) to the Commanders' 336.0 (18th). The Commanders are allowing 30.5 points per game (30th) while the Giants are allowing just 19.8 points per game (8th).
Key stat: Washington has allowed opponents to score touchdowns on 80% (12 of 15) of their red-zone trips (30th).
Quarterback carousel
Everyone knows about the Giants' quarterback woes. Jaxson Dart blew out his knee in Week 2 against the Rams and is out for four to six months. Veteran Jameis Winston has replaced him and has given Giants fans the usual ride of ups and downs. The Giants traded for the Minnesota Vikings' 2024 first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy, last week, but he is still learning the offense, so Winston will start until further notice.
The Commanders are also struggling under center. Starter Jayden Daniels dislocated his non-throwing elbow in the Week 2 loss in Dallas and was replaced by Marcus Mariota. Mariota then suffered a sprained MCL in the first quarter of the game in London and was replaced by rookie Athan Kaliakmanis. Daniels is practicing this week and is expected to draw the start, but that elbow is vulnerable.
Buckeye rookie linebackers making their mark
The Giants selected Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the fifth-overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Two picks later, the Commanders took his teammate, linebacker Sonny Styles. Both have made significant impacts with their respective teams thus far.
Reese has started all four games for the Giants this season and, per the team, "has accumulated a team-leading 33 tackles, four passes defensed, three tackles for loss, an interception and a quarterback hit, along with one special teams tackle. He is the only player since 2000 to have at least 30 tackles, four passes defensed, three tackles for loss, and an interception through four career games."
Styles has also started since the jump and has played on 90 percent of the defensive snaps. He has made 20 total tackles, two for a loss, with two QB hits, two passes defensed, and an interception.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders: 6 things to know in Week 5
