Final thoughts leading into the MetLife match-up

History 

The all-time record between the teams: New York Giants lead series 108-72-5 

Last meet up was Week 2 where the Giants created unwanted history for their franchise. They became the first team in NFL history to score three touchdowns, allow no touchdowns and yet lose in regulation, by a score of 21–18 to the Commanders.

Austin Siebert was the burgundy and gold hero that day setting a franchise record with seven FGs and all the points for Washington that day came from the boot of their placekicker.

Interesting nugget that the Giants are sending in their practice squad PK (Jake McAtamney) who was born in Northern Ireland – might be interesting if this is another close one and FGs once again prove decisive.

Keys to win 

Unlike the utterly inept Carolina Panthers, the New York Giants are not as bad as your usual 2-6 record team.

In fact, New York are leading the league in sacks with 35, with 9 of those from DT Dexter Lawrence.

Not many teams shut out Jayden Daniels and the Commanders for a TD score, but the Giants did in Week 2. Partly the lack of TD scores for the Commanders that day that was due to pre-snap penalties on the OL in RZ situations and a first key to win on OFF would be to limit those penalties in key spots. Not always easy when facing the likes of Dexter Lawrence, the improving five sacks recorded Brian Burns and six sacks Azeez Ojulari.

The Commanders interior OL has been a smart trio led by Centre Tyler Biadasz who coming into Sunday has not allowed a sack all-season long. They’ll need to continue the good protection of Jayden Daniels and the no huddle OFF which continues to bamboozle many an NFL Defense.

In Week 2, the Commanders lent on RB Brian Robinson Jnr and the Giants weakness is being gashed on the ground: 141.8 yards per game and rank last in yards allowed per attempt. Robinson Jnr is questionable at the time of writing the blog and Washington will be hoping is he is good to go.

A good match-up: Deonte Banks vs Terry McLaurin. Washington have had repeated success with explosive plays from the hands of Jayden Daniels to McLaurin. Banks was benched at halftime during the recent game against Pittsburgh due to poor performance. Might Banks be over-eager to compensate for that bad game?

The Giants will no doubt put a lot on RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. who went for 7.2 a carry and a total of 145 yards with 20 carries vs the Steelers. Tracy converted from WR in his last year at college so look for him to be used in screens and running routes out of the backfield: he needs to be tackled and tackled well.

Barring a miraculous turnaround, the Giants will likely move on from Daniel Jones end-season. A second DEF key for the Commanders here: don’t let this be a “get good” game for the maligned QB in New York. The Giants are dead last in explosive play rate, let it stay that way.

All-Pro LT Andrew Thomas is out for the year and in Chris Hubbard the Giants have a less than stellar LT replacement (33 years old and signed from the San Fran Practice squad) who allowed 12 pressures vs the Steelers. Keep an eye out for the Commanders DE Dorance Armstrong vs either Hubbard or backup tackle Josh Ezeudu.

Armstrong has the opportunity to end the Giants season in Week 9 and put another nail in the Daniel Jones coffin.

Spotlight players

Two on OFF for me.

This will be the second time the Giants have faced Washington this season and, this means that star rookie QB Jayden Daniels will for the first time suit up against an opponent who have real-in-game knowledge about the LSU graduate. How will Daniels fare against the Giants in this second look for an opponent.

My guess is that Jayden continues to excel, but this is a test against a high ranked DEF, and I have a feeling Daniels might also hurt New York with his legs out the pocket.

My second OFF player is rookie LT Brandon Coleman. Coleman has been in concussion protocol but is good to go for Week 9. A big tests awaits for Brandon against the Giants big star FA signing Brian Burns. If he can at least bend don’t break that will go some ways as to a Commanders W.

And on DEF.

I felt Johnny Newton arrived in the NFL last week and I always like to see back-to-back good performances from a Commander. The Interior OL of the Giants is solid enough, despite their issues at LT, but if Newton continues to splash that speed, this can equal a long day for Jones under centre.

Up until the PI call, Benjamin St Juste had been decent against the Bears, and it was a bounce back showing after his 2023 woes vs Chicago.

The Giants rookie star WR Malik Nabers could pose a problem if running with St Juste and Benjamin needs to be a tad less handsy this week.

Hopefully an improving pass rush (including Frankie Luvu off the edge) can help St Juste in the backfield. For now, the spotlight is always on a weak link and St Juste remains a worry as a starting CB in the NFL.

Score prediction

It was a closer than close game in Week 2.

The fitness of Robinson Jnr is a concern. If he is available to start, then the Commanders sweep New York by 24-15.

If Brian doesn’t play: we might see this one head to OT at the MetLife.