Snowstorm Showdown: Giants, Commanders Brace for Brutal Weather at MetLife
There won’t be playoff implications or division titles on the line when the New York Giants and Washington Commanders take the field this Sunday-but that doesn’t mean this game lacks intrigue. In fact, Mother Nature may end up stealing the show.
MetLife Stadium is getting absolutely pounded by snow ahead of kickoff. The forecast is calling for up to three inches, and based on early footage from inside the stadium, that number might be conservative.
Snow is blanketing the stands and accumulating on the field, with stadium workers already hard at work trying to clear what they can. It’s the kind of weather that turns a routine late-season matchup into a frozen free-for-all.
The real feel temperature for this NFC East clash? A brisk 18 degrees. And with a winter weather advisory in effect through kickoff, fans and players alike are in for a classic Northeast December football experience-icy, gritty, and unpredictable.
Two Teams, One Goal: Pride (and Draft Position)
Let’s be honest-the Giants and Commanders aren’t playing for playoff spots. At 3-10 and 2-11 respectively, both teams are staring down the barrel of a long offseason.
But there’s still pride on the line. These are division rivals, and no one wants to be the team that folds in the snow.
For the Giants, it's also a time of transition. With eyes already turning toward 2026, the search for a new head coach is underway.
One name that’s starting to circulate in coaching circles is Marcus Freeman. The Notre Dame head coach recently pulled his team out of bowl game consideration after falling short of the College Football Playoff, and his name has been linked to potential NFL opportunities-including New York and Tennessee.
Whether that interest becomes something more remains to be seen, but it’s clear the Giants are starting to look toward the future.
Washington, meanwhile, is still reeling from the loss of veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who suffered a significant leg injury just a week ago. It’s been a season full of setbacks for the Commanders, and Sunday’s snow game will be another test of grit for a team that’s been forced to dig deep all year.
What to Watch For
Snow games are unpredictable by nature. Expect a heavy dose of the run game, plenty of slip-and-slide moments, and some old-school, smashmouth football. Ball security will be paramount, and special teams could play a major role with field conditions as icy as they are.
Don’t be surprised if this one turns into a low-scoring, grind-it-out affair-where field position, turnovers, and pure toughness determine the winner. It may not be pretty, but it’ll be memorable.
So bundle up, grab the hot cocoa, and settle in. Giants vs. Commanders might not shape the playoff picture, but in weather like this, it’s the kind of game that reminds us why football in December hits differently.