Breaking Down the Giants' Eighth Straight Loss: Five Plays That Defined the Game
The New York Giants dropped their eighth straight game on Sunday, falling 29-21 to the Washington Commanders in a matchup that felt all too familiar for fans of Big Blue. Now sitting at 2-12, the Giants are staring down the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But before we look ahead, let’s rewind and break down five critical plays - or sequences - that shaped this game. These were the moments that told the story of yet another frustrating afternoon for the Giants.
1. Washington Sets the Tone on the Ground
Midway through the second quarter, Washington took a 10-point lead - and they did it the old-fashioned way: running the football right at the Giants’ defense. New York’s offense had stalled, and after Younghoe Koo missed a field goal wide left, the Commanders doubled down on the run game.
The Giants’ front seven got washed down the line of scrimmage, and linebacker pursuit angles didn’t help matters. On one particularly glaring play, rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt - who goes by “Bill” - found a massive cutback lane and hit it in stride.
The Giants’ defense was completely out of position: Dru Phillips had to stay honest with the RPO threat, Bobby Okereke flowed outside with the mesh point, and Abdul Carter got caught outside the tackle. The result?
A wide-open lane and a defense that looked lost.
This has been a recurring theme all season. Whether it's scheme, execution, or both, the Giants simply haven’t been able to stop the run - and Sunday was no different.
2. Special Teams Breakdown: Lane Goes the Distance
Special teams have been a sore spot for the Giants all year, and that trend continued just before halftime. With just over a minute left in the second quarter, Jaylin Lane took advantage of poor punt coverage and broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown return. It was a gut punch for a team already struggling to stay afloat.
Kicker Younghoe Koo didn’t help matters either, missing a 52-yard field goal on the opening drive and another from 51 yards in the second half. But the coverage units have arguably been even more damaging. Lane’s return extended Washington’s lead to 19-7 and took the air out of any momentum the Giants might have been trying to build.
3. Sainristil Picks Off Dart, Momentum Swings Again
Down 19-7 and desperate for a spark, the Giants turned to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. But Dart's decision-making under pressure once again proved costly.
On a play intended for Jalin Hyatt - a receiver who hasn’t seen much action this year - Dart forced a throw into tight coverage. Mike Sainristil was all over it, jumping the route and taking the interception 55 yards the other way.
That turnover set up a Jake Moody 42-yard field goal, stretching Washington’s lead to 22-7 and putting the Giants in an even deeper hole. Dart’s throw wasn’t just aggressive - it was reckless. And in a game where every possession mattered, it was a backbreaker.
4. McLaurin Strikes, Giants' Defense Misfires Again
Two plays into the next Commanders drive, Terry McLaurin got loose on a route that exposed more of the Giants' defensive issues. Dane Belton overpursued McLaurin’s outward-breaking stem, giving the Commanders’ top wideout just enough space to make a play.
The result? A touchdown that gave Washington a commanding 29-14 lead.
It was another example of the Giants defense getting caught out of position at the worst possible time. While the unit would later force two turnovers to make things interesting, this was a pivotal moment that nearly put the game out of reach.
5. Late Defensive Surge Sparks a Comeback Attempt
To their credit, the Giants didn’t fold. In fact, the defense came alive in the fourth quarter and gave the offense a real shot to tie the game.
It started with a strip sack from Dane Belton, who made up for his earlier miscue by getting to the quarterback and knocking the ball loose. That turnover set up a touchdown pass from Dart to Wan’Dale Robinson - one of the few offensive bright spots in the game.
Then came another big moment, courtesy of linebacker Abdul Carter. On what was arguably his best game as a pro, Carter forced a second fumble that gave New York one last chance to even the score. Though the play was ultimately ruled down by contact, it was a momentum-shifting effort that reflected Carter’s impact all afternoon.
Final Thoughts
There’s no sugarcoating it - this season has been rough for the Giants. Coaching changes, special teams breakdowns, missed kicks, and a defense that can’t stop the run have all contributed to a 2-12 record.
But in the midst of the chaos, Sunday’s game offered a few glimmers of hope. Abdul Carter played like a man possessed.
The defense forced turnovers when it mattered. And for a brief moment, the Giants had a shot.
It wasn’t enough to win, but in a season that’s been short on positives, those late-game flashes - especially from young players like Carter and Robinson - are something to build on.
Still, with the No. 1 pick looming and just a few games left, the focus is already shifting to what comes next. For now, though, Sunday’s loss was another chapter in a season that can’t end soon enough.