Washington Commanders Set Pace With 21-6 Win Over New York Giants
The Washington Commanders, fresh off a 12–5 finish in 2024, kept their winning ways alive Sunday with a 21–6 victory over the New York Giants.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 19 of 30 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing eight times for 69 yards. Washington’s lead rusher, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, carried the ball 10 times for 82 yards and one touchdown. On the receiving end, Deebo Samuel led the charge with seven catches for 77 yards.
For the Giants, Russell Wilson finished 17 of 37 passing for 168 yards and added 44 yards on eight rushing attempts. Wide receiver Malik Nabers paced their receiving corps with 5 catches for 71 yards. Washington wasted no time asserting control in its season opener. Quarterback Jayden Daniels connected with tight end Zach Ertz on a 7-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, capping a methodical drive. Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt added to the lead with a 6-yard scoring run in the second, helping the Commanders take a 14–3 advantage into halftime.
Third Quarter: Giants Show Life, But Fade
New York narrowed the gap in the third quarter with a 55-yard field goal from Graham Gano, trimming the deficit to 14–6. But that was as close as the Giants would get. Washington’s defense held firm, keeping the Giants out of the end zone for the entire game. Defensive tackle Daron Payne recorded a sack and batted down a key third-down pass, while rookie linebacker Abdul Carter blocked a punt in his debut. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel sealed the win with a 19-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, making it 21–6. The Commanders improved to 1–0, while the Giants dropped to 0–1.
Washington Commanders Needed This Start
Jayden Daniels, fresh off a Rookie of the Year campaign, didn’t spend the offseason soaking up praise. He spent it sharpening his game. And it shows.
The Washington Commanders’ front office went all in, snagging All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil to protect their franchise QB and adding Swiss Army knife Deebo Samuel to the mix. That’s not just depth. That’s danger. Head coach Dan Quinn kept the intensity high through camp, preaching physicality and precision. This squad came out looking like they believed every word.
The defense? Still nasty. Daron Payne leads a front that doesn’t blink, and rookie linebacker Abdul Carter is already turning heads with his speed and instincts. Add in a secondary that ranked top three last year, and you’ve got a unit built to bully. Coming into Week 1 as 6.5-point favorites over the Giants, Washington knew this wasn’t just about a win. It was about sending a message. With a short week before a primetime showdown against Green Bay, they weren’t taking any chances.
Closing Thoughts
This is the version of the Washington Commanders I’ve been waiting to see: Consistent dominance. Many people thought they would come out and go belly up, supporting theories of a “fluke season”. That’s far from the truth. They stepped out with all the confidence in the world, and it shows. The only thing I would have liked to see is Terry McLaurin get one down range to silence the haters. I’m sure that will come soon enough. The Washington Commanders’ defense looked solid, to the point. The offense had its share of drops, which were uncalled for, but it’s only Week 1.
