Commanders End Eight-Game Skid At Giants (12-14-25)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: ESPN
NEWARK, NJ — Washington veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota found Terry McLaurin over the deep middle in the beginning of the fourth quarter, who spun around two Giants’ defensive backs into the endzone for a 51-yard score. This proved to be the nail in the coffin, with Washington defeating New York 29-21 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a bounce-back performance for Washington (4-10), which was shut out by the Vikings the week before. Mariota, who filled in for Jayden Daniels, who reinjured his elbow against the Vikings after landing awkwardly on it, completed 10-of-19 passes for 211 yards, one passing touchdown, and also rushed for 43 yards.
Mariota said after the game in the locker room when talking about the win:
“I truly appreciate who this group is, and we just keep finding ways to get better,” said Mariota. “It’s hard to go two months without winning a football game. So many reasons for guys to not show up and play, and our guys found a way today.”
The 2025 season has not been kind to the Commanders, who were one game away from the Super Bowl last season. There were high expectations not only from fans but also from the media, and the eight-game losing streak proved challenging across all aspects of the team. Despite that, head coach Dan Quinn has steadily preached that his team remain together as a brotherhood, play hard and for one another, and not quit on the season, even though playoff football is not a reality this year.
Washington took control in the second quarter yesterday, scoring 19 points, highlighted by Jacory Croskey-Merritt running in for a 16-yard score and rookie wideout Jaylin Lane returning a 63-yard punt-return touchdown (the only Washington rookie ever to return punts for touchdowns). Mike Sainristil picked off the Giants’ (2-12) quarterback Jaxon Dart with 26 seconds left in the quarter, returning it to the New York 24-yard line, setting up a Jake Moody field goal for a 22-7 lead at the half. Sainristil now has a team-leading four picks on the season.
The Washington defense played relatively well today, not allowing many game-altering plays, speeding up Dart’s decision-making, and forcing him to beat them with his legs rather than through the air.
A Fumble Nearly Proved Costly
The Commanders had possession of the ball at the New York 39-yard line, after Ben Sinnott hauled in a 36-yard reception with 2:42 left in the game. However, on the next play from scrimmage, Jeremy McNichols was stripped by Abdul Carter, resulting in a turnover that gave the Giants life, trailing 29-21. Washington’s defense stayed strong, not surrendering a single first down and forcing a four-and-out, securing the victory.
Key Stats
Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 18 carries, 96 yards, 5.3 per carry, and one rushing touchdown.
Terry McLaurin: three catches, 69 yards, and one touchdown.
Antonio Hamilton Sr.: three tackles and two pass deflections
Preston Smith: two tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass deflection, and two QB hits.
Von Miller: one sack (now sitting at 136 1/2 total sacks in his career, passing Jarred Allen on the all-time sack leaders list.)
Washington: 11 penalties (67 yards)
New York: Six penalties (62 yards)
Third Down Conversions: WAS (3-11) & NY (2-12)
Commanders had two turnovers (two fumbles); the Giants had one.
Younghoe Koo missed both of his field goal attempts for the Giants, which were 50-plus yard attempts.
Up Next:
Washington returns home for a showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday afternoon, starting at 5 p.m.
The Giants host the Vikings on Sunday.
