Game Balls | 3 standouts in Washington's season opening win against New York
The Washington Commanders picked up where they left off last year at Northwest Stadium and put a tally in the win column to start off the 2025 regular season with a 21-6 victory over the New York Giants. Defensive tackle Daron Payne, wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and running back Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt delivered strong performances in the Week 1 win.
### **Daron Payne**
Penalties aside, Washington's defense had an impressive afternoon at Northwest Stadium, and arguably no one shined more in the group than Payne. The veteran defensive tackle led the charge on the defensive front throughout the contest, busting through blocks to make life difficult for Russell Wilson and the Giants' running backs.
Payne disrupted a screen pass on third-and-11 during the Giants' opening drive to force a three-and-out and kept going from there. In the second quarter, also on third down, he brought down Wilson for a loss of nine yards. The sack was his 35th for Washington, which moved him past Andre Carter into sole possession of No. 9 all-time in franchise history in official sacks (since 1982).
The climb on that list continued in the third quarter, when Payne got in on the fun with Dorance Armstrong to sack Wilson for a loss of two yards to bring up fourth down. That half-sack tied him up with Dave Butz and Montez Sweat for eighth place on the franchise all-time list. At the end of the third, Payne found a new way to be a terror for the Giants offense, as he batted down a pass on another third down. He capped off that huge play with an airplane celebration -- fitting since Payne was soaring in Week 1.