NEW YORK — In a game that had the MetLife Stadium crowd on edge until the final seconds, the New York Giants were edged out by the Washington Commanders, 24-21, on Thursday night. The Commanders’ quarterback, Jayden Daniels, delivered a decisive 32‑yard touchdown pass to veteran receiver Stefon Diggs with just 57 seconds remaining, turning a close contest into a victory.
Key moments and player performances
Daniels, who completed 23 of 33 passes for 249 yards, threw three touchdown passes in the game. After two early interceptions that stalled the Giants’ drives, he rebounded with scores to Ben Sinnott and Antonio Williams before the game‑winning strike to Diggs. The connection with Diggs, the 30th player in league history to reach 80 career touchdown receptions, came after a pass‑interference call moved the ball deep into Giants territory.
For the Giants, quarterback Jameis Winston struggled to generate a sustained ground game, limiting the team’s ability to control the clock in the closing minutes. The Giants’ rushing attack failed to gain the necessary yardage to keep the ball away from Washington, forcing multiple punts that handed the ball back to Daniels.
Impact on the NFC East race
The loss drops the Giants to a 5‑3‑1 record, keeping them atop the NFC East but narrowing the margin over Washington, which improved to 3‑5‑1 and now holds the tiebreaker after a tied meeting earlier in the season. Both teams remain in contention for the division title as the regular season heads into its final stretch.
Washington’s rookie quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, also made his mark, throwing for a career‑high 293 yards in his first home start for New York after being acquired from Minnesota. McCarthy’s drive was halted in the final minute when Rasul Douglas intercepted a pass, sealing the Giants’ defeat.
Looking ahead
The Giants will need to address their rushing deficiencies and improve ball control if they hope to maintain their lead in the division. Coach Brian Daboll emphasized the importance of a balanced attack in the post‑game press conference, noting that “we have to protect the football and keep the chains moving.”
Washington, meanwhile, will look to build on the momentum generated by Daniels’ clutch performance. Head coach Ron Rivera praised his quarterback’s resilience, stating, “Jayden showed poise under pressure and delivered when it mattered most.”
Both teams have several games remaining before the playoffs, and the outcome of this matchup could prove pivotal in determining the NFC East champion.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
