Commanders Outlast Giants 44–28 in a Turnover-Fueled Showcase

The Washington Commanders walked away with a confident 44–28 victory over the New York Giants in a game that proved once again how turnovers and situational football can outweigh raw yardage totals. Despite being out-gained 356 to 354, Washington controlled the moments that mattered and improved their season outlook with one of their more complete performances of the year.

A Game of Momentum and Mistakes

The Giants started hot, moving the ball with ease between the 20s and generating chunk plays through the air. But every time New York surged, Washington answered with either a key stop, a takeaway, or an efficient scoring drive.

New York finished with just one takeaway compared to Washington’s five. That difference alone swung the game, killing potential Giants scoring opportunities and gifting Washington extra possessions that directly turned into points. In a matchup where both offenses showed flashes of explosiveness, the Commanders’ opportunistic defense became the defining difference.

Giants Offensive Highlights

Quarterback B. Morton had a stat-stuffing afternoon, finishing 16 of 34 for 326 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. When he was on, he was nearly unstoppable — especially connecting with his two big-play weapons.

Z. Branch tore up the field with five receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown, finding himself wide open on several deep crossers and posts. T. Johnson delivered four catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns of his own, including one jump-ball grab that electrified the Giants sideline.

But outside of Morton’s arm, New York had little to lean on. The Giants rushed for only 62 yards, making their offense predictable in key moments. That lack of balance allowed Washington to tighten coverage late and force mistakes.

Commanders Offensive Highlights

Washington operated a more balanced attack. Quarterback Jayden Daniels played crisp football, going 22 for 35 for 236 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception. He didn’t need to force anything thanks to a dependable ground game.

Running back J. Croskey-Merritt led the way with 98 rushing yards on 14 carries, consistently breaking through the second level and ripping off a 38-yard sprint that shifted momentum. His success opened up the play-action game and kept the Giants defense on their heels.

Paschal Sinnott was Daniels’ most reliable target, pulling in six passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Terry McLaurin made his presence felt with a 37-yard score, reminding everyone of his elite after-catch ability.

Defensive Turning Points

Both defensive fronts applied steady pressure, but Washington’s defense made the game-changing plays. M. Sainristil snagged a key interception and forced a fumble, while D. Armstrong piled up two sacks that killed Giants drives in crucial moments.

The Giants defense had flashes as well, particularly with B. Burns disrupting the pocket, but they couldn’t generate enough impact plays to offset their offense’s turnovers and stalled red-zone trips.

Special Teams and Hidden Yardage

New York’s punter M. Wishnowsky averaged 39.7 yards per kick, doing his best to win the field position battle, but Washington’s consistent offensive execution minimized his impact.

Meanwhile, the Commanders kept mistakes off special teams and played a clean game overall — another reason they maintained control even during Giants scoring bursts.

What Ultimately Decided the Game

• Washington won the turnover battle 5–1.
• The Commanders dominated on the ground with 147 rushing yards.
• They converted drives into points at a much higher rate.
• New York excelled in yardage, but not in situational football.
• The Giants went 1 for 6 on red-zone touchdown opportunities, a major missed opportunity.

Final Thoughts

This game was a classic illustration of efficiency versus explosiveness. The Giants made big plays but couldn’t finish drives or protect the football. Washington didn’t light up the stat sheet, but they made every possession count and played within their system.

If New York can clean up the turnovers and establish even a modest run game, they’ll be dangerous down the stretch. As for Washington, this win reinforces their identity: physical football, opportunistic defense, and steady leadership under Jayden Daniels.