Giants Drop Eighth Straight: A Familiar Script, a Few Bright Spots, and More Frustration in Washington
Another Sunday, another loss for the New York Giants. This time, a 29-21 defeat at the hands of the Washington Commanders - a team that entered the game with its own eight-game losing skid.
That streak is now snapped, while the Giants' own slide continues, keeping them firmly in possession of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Let’s dig into what went right (a little) and what went wrong (a lot) in yet another frustrating outing.
Kudos: The Few Who Shined
Abdul Carter: The Playmaker the Giants Drafted Him to Be
This is the version of Abdul Carter the Giants were hoping for when they made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. After a rocky start to his rookie campaign - including two early-season benchings under interim head coach Mike Kafka - Carter looked like a difference-maker on Sunday.
He opened the game with a tackle for loss on Washington’s first offensive snap and didn’t slow down. Seven tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a quarterback hit, and three tackles for loss - that’s a full day’s work.
His strip and recovery with 2:38 left gave the Giants one last shot to tie the game. They didn’t capitalize, but that was no fault of Carter’s.
He brought energy and edge to a defense that otherwise looked flat.
Tyrone Tracy: Making the Most of His Opportunities
Tyrone Tracy might not be the headline name in the Giants’ backfield, but he continues to make his presence felt when given the chance. After missing time early in the year with a shoulder injury and watching Cam Skattebo emerge, Tracy has quietly reinserted himself into the conversation.
He turned in a strong performance with 15 carries for 70 yards (4.7 per carry), and added three catches for 27 yards. More importantly, he found the end zone twice - once on a 12-yard run and once on an 18-yard reception.
Tracy runs hard, finishes plays, and makes the most of his touches. The Giants could use more of that.
Wet Willies: Where It All Went Wrong (Again)
Special Teams: A Weekly Disaster
It’s hard to overstate how much of a liability the Giants’ special teams have become. Kicker Younghoe Koo missed two long field goals - from 52 and 51 yards - and neither miss was close.
What’s worse is that both attempts came from the same side of the field where Koo had struggled in pregame warmups. Yet the Giants rolled the dice anyway.
Then came the punt return touchdown - the second the Giants have allowed in as many weeks. This one was a 63-yard return by Jaylin Lane, who took advantage of a low, line-drive punt down the middle of the field from backup punter Cameron Johnston. Poor execution, poor planning, poor results.
Darius Slayton: Costly Drops at Crucial Moments
Darius Slayton has had a tough season, and Sunday was another chapter in a disappointing story. Signed to a three-year, $36 million deal in the offseason - $22 million of it guaranteed - Slayton hasn’t lived up to the investment.
He dropped two critical passes in the second half, both of which could’ve changed the game. The most glaring came late in the third quarter when Jaxson Dart dropped a beautiful 35-yard pass into his hands in the end zone.
Slayton couldn’t haul it in. That would’ve brought the Giants within two points.
Instead, they came away empty. Earlier in the quarter, he dropped a third-and-4 slant that would’ve moved the chains.
Those are the plays a veteran receiver has to make.
Mike Kafka: A Game Plan That Raised Eyebrows
Kafka’s early stint as interim head coach showed promise - aggressive play-calling, a spark of creativity. But that version of Kafka wasn’t on display in Washington. Instead, the Giants looked disjointed and overly conservative in key moments.
He challenged a spot on the third play of the game - and lost. He opted for a 52-yard field goal attempt on fourth-and-6 from the Washington 33, despite knowing Koo had struggled from that range in warmups.
Koo missed badly. Later, on third-and-20 at the Washington 35, Kafka called a run up the middle.
Tracy gained two yards. Koo missed again, this time from 51 yards.
That’s not playing to win - that’s playing not to lose.
Then there was the goal-line sequence. After a pass interference call gave the Giants a first-and-goal at the 1, the offense went backwards.
Dart lost a yard, then had to leave the game briefly. Devin Singletary lost two more.
Jameis Winston came in and threw incomplete. Dart returned and missed on fourth down.
No points. No rhythm.
No answers.
To top it off, the Giants’ game-day roster management continues to be a head-scratcher. With Gunner Olszewski out due to concussion protocol, the team failed to elevate either Ihmir Smith-Marsette or Xavier Gipson.
That left safety Jevon Holland handling punt return duties. It’s a small detail, but one that reflects a larger issue with preparation.
Kwillies: Mixed Bag for the Rookie QB
Jaxson Dart: Flashes of Promise, but Missed Chances
Jaxson Dart continues to show glimpses of what could be. He made plays with his legs - nine carries for 63 yards, including a 29-yard scamper that set up a touchdown.
He threw a dart (pun intended) on an 18-yard touchdown pass to Tracy. He also delivered what should’ve been a 35-yard touchdown to Slayton that was dropped.
But there were also signs of a young quarterback still finding his way. A few off-target throws, some miscommunication with receivers, and an interception late in the first half that led to three points for Washington. It’s unclear whether the pick was on Dart or receiver Jalin Hyatt, but it was a costly mistake either way.
Dart also had to leave the field briefly after a run on first-and-goal, undergoing a concussion check. He returned, but the offense couldn’t finish the drive.
He finished 20-of-36 for 246 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Not a bad stat line, but he had two shots in the fourth quarter to lead a game-tying drive and came up empty. That’s part of the learning curve for a young quarterback - and part of the growing pains for a team still searching for direction.
Bottom Line
This was a game the Giants could’ve won. Washington was reeling, the opportunities were there, and a few players - Carter, Tracy, Dart - gave them a real shot. But the same issues that have plagued them all season reared their heads again: special teams breakdowns, questionable coaching decisions, and missed chances in high-leverage moments.
The Giants are now 2-11, and while the No. 1 overall pick is still theirs to lose, this team has more questions than answers - not just about the roster, but about who will be leading it next season.