When you are sitting at 4-10 in mid-December, “playoff implications” is a phrase you packed away with your summer shorts. But just because the postseason ship has sailed doesn’t mean a win doesn’t feel good. Especially when it comes against a division rival. The Washington Commanders finally snapped their losing streak on Sunday, taking down the New York Giants 29-21 at MetLife Stadium.
For the first time in weeks, Washington looked like a team that actually enjoyed playing football. They controlled the tempo, sweeping the season series against New York and reminding everyone that maybe this roster isn’t completely devoid of talent.
Commanders Offense Wakes Up (Sort Of)
It wasn’t a masterclass in aerial dominance, but it got the job done. Marcus Mariota, stepping in under center, was efficient enough, throwing for 211 yards and a touchdown. He managed the game well, avoiding the catastrophic mistakes that have plagued this team during their skid.
But the real story? The ground game. Rookie seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt decided to introduce himself to the NFL in a big way, churning out 96 yards on 18 carries. When you can run the ball late in the season in the cold Northeast, you give yourself a chance. Seeing a late-round rookie run with that kind of hunger is exactly the kind of moral victory fans need to cling to right now.
And of course, Terry McLaurin did Terry McLaurin things. He finished with 69 yards and a touchdown, continuing to be the reliable heartbeat of this offense, regardless of who is throwing him the ball.
Looking Ahead: The Eagles and the “Draft Bowl”
The celebration might be short-lived, though. The Commanders have a short week before facing Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. That’s going to be a significantly tougher test than the spiraling Giants.
There is a funny irony here. By winning, the Washington Commanders hurt their chances at a top-three pick, while the Giants, now 2-12, are firmly in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall selection. It is the weird reality of the NFL: sometimes winning the game means losing the war for the best prospect. But for one Sunday, it was nice to just see the burgundy and gold put up a ‘W’ and smile a little bit.
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