Commanders vs Giants Week 7
Commanders (3–3) visit the Giants (1–5) in divisional bout. Half time updates.
First of all, throw the overall records out in a divisional game, upsets are common in these. Some horrendous mistakes by the Giants cost them a win versus the Bills last week losing by 5 while Washington lost by 34 to Buffalo in Week 3.
Washington won in Atlanta last week 24–16 but that had more to do with sitting back watching an Falcons implosion in collecting the win than how the Commanders preformed on the field. Washingtons offense had 193 yards, held the ball for just 23 minutes and didn’t convert a 3rd down after the 1st quarter. Ten 3rd downs, 9 of those were 7+ yards and made 2 of 10.
Their defense got 3 interceptions but still managed to let the Falcons gain 402 yards and allowed four 3rd down converstions of 7+ yards. They already lead the league in plays giving up 25+ yards and added another on Sunday. Relying on opponents to make enough mistakes to win isn’t going to succeed too often but it might at MetLife.
The Giants certainly have been cursed with issues putting up points like still not having an offensive TD in the first half all year and none at all in their last 3 games. Last week a 1st & goal from the Bills 1 yard line at the end of each half netted 0 points with 1 boched play called by Tyrod Taylor. But Barkley looked better than expected falling just short of 100 yards rushing with 93.
New York has the fewest sacks in the league with 5. Won’t matter, they’ll get at least another 5. Every team that’s played Washington this year has at least doubled their season sack total by the end of the day.
Both offensive lines are in horrible shape and can’t protect their QB. The Giants due to injuries and the Commanders due to Ron Riveras lack of foresight. Washington has had no injuries on offense this season, this is the same ineffective offensive line that’s allowed Sam Howell to be sacked a league worst 34 times so far that they’ve trotted out since week 1.
Although New Yorks QB Daniel Jones has a 5–1–1 career record versus the Commanders the Giants might be wise to sit him, even if he’s cleared to play. At least through the 1st half to see how well their offensive line can handle Washingtons defense. With getting sacked 16 times in his last 2 outings, there’s no point in risking a further injury.
The Gmens defense kept them in the game last week even with Stephon Diggs gaining 100 yards and not putting much pressure on Josh Allen. The Commanders defense sealed their game against the Atlanta Falcons last week with 3 interceptions but they stayed on the field for 36 minutes.
Sam Howells most important stat was 3 TDs and no turnovers, scoring is what wins games. Other than that, he was rather pedestrian. His worst completion percentage of the year of 61% (14 of 23), lowest yardage at 151 and a 37.1 QBR. Washington didn’t run that well either as Brian Robinson gained only 31 yards on 10 carries.
Other than not being able to find the end zone and a ghastly mental error, Tyrod Taylor wasn’t awful in his 1st start of the season replacing injured QB Daniel Jones. No TDs but no interceptions either. He outpaced Josh Allen (63%, 169 yards) by making 67% of his 36 attempts and 185 net yards with 3 sacks.
Both teams are slow starters. The Giants issues have been beat to death but for the Commanders on the year, 1 lead at the end of the 1st quarter, 2 leads at halftime and 1 at the end of the 3rd. Last week they had 2 of those.
Both teams have Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde defenses. There’ll be a great performance one game followed up a week later by one that’s so poor you are left wondering if you’re watching the same team. Total sacks combined by both teams today, don’t be surprised if it’s over a dozen.
Washington can’t seem to figure out who’s in their secondary and who isn’t. At Atlanta last week the Commanders 1st round pick DB Emanuel Forbes wasn’t on the field at all and 2nd round pick DB Quan Martin saw 7 snaps, mostly on special teams. Your first 2 picks in the draft are healthy but benched isn’t good management by Ron Rivera. S Percy Butler was in on every defensive snap after barely seeing the field in the previous 5 games.
Common opponents this year, both beat Arizona with come from behind victories, both lost to Buffalo. In their 2 meetings in 2022, neither team scored over 20 points.
