WASHINGTON PUT ON A SHOW IN DC
In a 21-6 victory on Sunday, the Commanders held the New York Giants out of the end zone, Jayden Daniels passed for 233 yards and a touchdown, and Deebo Samuel scored in his Washington debut.
A general view inside of Northwest Stadium prior to a game between the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Against the Giants, Washington's defence fared significantly better than it did in the NFC championship game, where they last allowed 55 points to Philadelphia. New York's offence totalled just 231 yards, and they were especially bad carrying the ball.
Mike Sainristil #0 of the Washington Commanders and Jon Runyan #76 of the New York Giants get into an altercation during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
Russell Wilson's first start with New York was marred by the Commanders' inability to make him appear comfortable, and Daron Payne had a sack and swatted down a third-down ball. The Giants, who finished 3-14 in the previous campaign, demonstrated enough defensive play to raise hopes for some improvement. Samuel's 19-yard touchdown run with 7:09 remaining in the second half put Washington ahead 21–6. Washington had not scored a point before then.
Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders throws a pass during the second quarter against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
On that drive, the Commanders were down to second-and-17, but Daniels bounded off a tackle for a 12-yard run and then passed to Samuel for 19 to bring them within field goal range. Soon after, Samuel—who had been acquired from San Francisco in the offseason—took a handoff, swept to the left, cut off a tackler, and made it to the end zone.
Washington Commanders fans are pictured during the second half against the New York Giants during the game at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
"Deebo" was chanted by the audience, who had earlier in the game chanted "Terry" in support of Terry McLaurin, who made a few catches in the first game and eventually struck a deal following a protracted contract dispute.
The Commanders benched running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. for this game, indicating that he had lost ground to rookie Bill Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round choice. A 6-yard score run in the second quarter put the club ahead 14-3, and Croskey-Merritt finished with 82 yards on a team-high 10 carries.
Bobby Wagner #54 of the Washington Commanders hits Russell Wilson #3 of the New York Giants and is called for roughing the passer during the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Before the season, the Giants' pass rush was widely feared, and New York did manage three first-half sacks. When Washington looked certain of at least a field goal in the first half, the pressure on Daniels also resulted in an intentional grounding penalty, which caused the last few seconds to pass.
Tress Way #10 of the Washington Commanders punts during the second quarter against the New York Giants during the game at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
In his debut, Abdul Carter, the Penn State standout selected by New York with the third choice this year, had a half-sack. The Giants went three-and-out and punted back after he blocked a punt in the third quarter, but the ball still went deep into New York territory.
Russell Wilson #3 of the New York Giants throws a pass during the second quarter against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The score was opened by Daniels' 7-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz, while New York was only able to make a field goal from the 1 after a first-and-goal scenario. The Giants lost 21–6 and had a first-and-goal from the 3-point line, but they ended up turning the ball over on downs.
Wilson managed to get 168 yards on 17 of 37. Next up for the Commanders in week 2 is the Green Bay Packers, while the New York Giants has the Dallas Cowboys.