The NFC East is up for grabs. The New York Giants had an opportunity to distance themselves from the pack on "Thursday Night Football" but squandered a lead in the final minute and gave up ground to the Washington Commanders in the division race. Washington erased a three-point deficit with 57 seconds to play in the NFL's Week 10 opener and pulled out a 24-21 win inside MetLife Stadium.
The teams entered the night with opposite records, and by the end of the contest, the margin between them in the division standings had shrunk by a full game. Washington improved to 3-5-1, while New York slipped to 5-3-1. Although the Giants remain the only team in the NFC East with a winning record, their control of the pecking order is far less firm than it was a few hours earlier. This is now a three-team race for a playoff spot, with the Dallas Cowboys residing between the two at 4-5.
The Giants moved the ball at will for most of the second half, received a two-touchdown effort from Cam Skattebo and enjoyed a 66-yard touchdown reception from Isaiah Likely. But too often their drives ended in miscues, including a missed field goal, a fumble and an interception.
Jayden Daniels threw two interceptions in as many drives late in the fourth quarter, but his defense stepped up -- and got some help from questionable coaching decisions on the New York sideline. Daniels redeemed himself when he threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs, and the defense came through one more time with an interception of its own to seal it.
Washington's game-winning drive started with a controversial pass interference penalty against Giants defensive back Deonte Banks. While Banks was penalized, Treylon Burks also made contact with Banks when the ball was still in the air.
Giants fans clearly felt that Burks had committed offensive pass interference. The officials felt differently, however, and the Giants were penalized 33 yards. Daniels and Diggs teamed up for the game-winning score three plays later.
It was a wild night for both Daniels and JJ McCarthy, who was making his first home start for the Giants. After a scoreless opening quarter, Daniels and McCarthy traded scores from then on, giving the fans their money's worth.
McCarthy was delivering his best game with the Giants before his interception to Rasul Douglas on New York's final drive, which sealed the loss. McCarthy went 23 of 36 for 293 yards with a touchdown and a pick. He also made plays on the ground with 34 yards on six carries.
McCarthy's most impressive play was his 66-yard touchdown pass (the longest of his career) to Likely, which gave the Giants a 21-17 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Likely had a big game with 127 yards on nine catches.
McCarthy's play was complemented by Skattebo, who had 122 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on 21 touches.
As good as McCarthy was, he wasn't able to top Daniels, who overcame two fourth-quarter interceptions before throwing the game-winning touchdown pass to Diggs.
Daniels finished the night with 249 yards and three touchdowns on 23 of 33 passing. He was sacked just once by the Giants' defense.
Speaking of defense, the Commanders received another stellar performance from rookie linebacker Sonny Styles, who matched Giants rookie (and former Ohio State teammate) Arvell Reese with a game-high 13 tackles.
This was a very winnable game for the Giants, who missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the NFC East while all but ending the Commanders' season.
McCarthy's impressive 34-yard completion to Skattebo in the first quarter was wasted after Dominic Zvada missed his 32-yard field goal attempt wide left. The Giants squandered another trip to the red zone when Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu forced a fumble of Malik Nabers late in the third quarter.
New York's fate was ultimately sealed when McCarthy -- facing pressure -- airmailed a desperation heave to Nabers that was picked off by Douglas with 34 seconds left.
The Giants' offense also failed to capitalize on either of Daniels ' interceptions in the fourth quarter. McCarthy and company went three-and-out on both possessions, with the latter punt giving Daniels enough time to mount a game-winning drive.
Rasul Douglas picks off McCarthy's moon ball to Nabers, giving the Commanders a 24-21 win. Washington said this was a must-win, and they respond by winning the season series against the Giants.
Commanders win and stay alive at 3-5-1. The Giants fall to 5-3-1. A rare Thursday night loss for John Harbaugh.
Daniels zings a TD pass to Stefon Diggs to give Washington the lead once again with 57 seconds left. The Commanders did leave the Giants with 57 seconds to work with. And they only need a FG to force overtime. Giants also have all three timeouts left.
The Commanders force a punt and get a chance to win the game with 1:46 to play. Starting at their own 29.
Daniels is picked again, this time by Ar'Darius Washington. The pick gives the Giants the ball in Commanders territory just before the two-minute warning. Commanders take their first timeout, so they'll still have one more on the other side of the warning.
Jameis Winston, trying to get Washington to jump offsides, signs an old song lyric before calling time. The Jameis Winston experience, indeed.
Commanders take over in their own territory, down 21-17, with just over three minutes left.
An incredible end zone interception by Jevon Holland gives the Giants a first down at the Commanders' 2-yard-line. That's Daniels' first INT of the season. He had thrown 207 passes this season without a pick.
Giants, up 21-17, take over with 5:27 left. They'll need a few first downs here if they want to give their defense some space if they have to punt here.
Right after the turnover on downs, McCarthy stares down pressure and throws a strike to Likely, who takes it 66 yards for a score to give the Giants a 21-17 lead with 8:13 left.
McCarthy is now up to 272 yards and a score on 22 of 32 passing. Likely is having a monster game with 127 yards and a TD on nine catches.
Giants force a turnover on downs after Daniels misfires to Stefon Diggs on fourth-and-1. Giants, down 17-14, take over at their own 30 with 9:04 left.
Not sure what the Commanders were thinking on that play. They've been running all over the Giants this half. That was a tough throw to try to make in the middle of the field.
Commanders have the lead, but the Giants have the ball near midfield as the fourth quarter begins. Giants had gotten a nice game so far from McCarthy, who runs just short of a first down as I type this.
McCarthy was 21 of 29 for 206 yards through three quarters of work. He's also up to 36 yards on five carries. '
Giants have to punt, however, after Theo Johnson is unable to make a contested catch on third-and-three. Giants aren't able to pin the Commanders deep in their own territory, so Washington will start their first drive of the fourth quarter on their own 20.
The Commanders get the ball back after Malik Nabers fumbles it away deep in Washington territory. The fumble kills a five-play, 53-yard drive.
The Giants are now 2 of 4 tonight in the red zone. They have two red zone scores but also have a missed field goal and Nabers' fumble. Really nice strip by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu.
Up 17-14, the Commanders take over at their own 20 with 4:06 left in the third.
Washington immediately responds with a 31-yard strike from Daniels to Antonio Williams to give the Commanders a 17-14 lead with 6:53 left in the third.
Williams is on fire with 177 yards and two touchdowns on 14 of 19 passing. Diggs has made his presence felt tonight with three key catches.
We'll see if the Giants can continue this trade meet.
The Giants take advantage of the short field. Skattebo caps off the 55-yard drive with a nifty 13-yard TD run to give the Giants a 14-10 lead with 10:22 left in the third.
This game has been a microcosm of McCarthy's career. Not every play is going to be good, but he makes enough good players to keep his team in the mix. No QB has a longer winning streak than McCarthy, who has won his last six starts dating back to his time with the Vikings.
We'd be remiss not to mention Skattebo, who has 92 yards and two touchdowns on 12 total touches.
Really nice start for the Giants' defense to kickoff the second half. They were able to put pressure on Jayden Daniels after not getting to him much at all in the first half. Shelby Harris chargers through the line and gets the Giants' first sack of Daniels.
New York's offense will now try to capitalize on its good field position. They'll start this draft at their own 45-yard-line.
Score: 10-7 Commanders
First downs: Giants 12-8
Third down: Giants 3-7, Commanders 3-6
Total yards: Giants 151-143
Red zone: Commanders 1-1, Giants 1-2
TOP: Giants 17:18
Daniels: 11-15, 112 yards, TD
McCarthy: 12-19, 92 yards, 1 sack
Skattebo: 8 carries, 35 yards, TD; 2 catches 27 yards
McCarthy: 4 carries, 30 yards
Giants: 69 yards on 14 carries
Likely: five catches, 39 yards
White: six carries, 20 yards
Commanders: 31 yards on 13 carries
Diggs: 2 catches on 5 targets, 34 yards
Daniels, under pressure, makes an impressive completion to Ben Sinnott to give the Commanders a 10-7 halftime lead. The Giants had made two impressive stops before Daniels' TD pass.
Gotta think the Giants will do less zone in the second half in order to get more pressure on Daniels.
Daniels and Co. have also hit their stride and are trying to re-take the lead before halftime. Giants are staying in a zone defense, but Daniels is beating it with underneath passes.
Skattebo 1-yard TD run caps off an epic 16-play, 72-yard drive that took 7:48 off the clock. Giants lead 7-3 with 2:35 left until halftime.
The Giants had perfect balance on that drive and were able to get McCarthy into a rhythm with quick passes to Likely and Mooney. Likely already has five catches tonight. Skattebo has 72 total yards on just nine touches.
Giants convert on fourth-and-1 on a QB sneak by Jameis Winston. Giants in position to tie the game late in the first half. McCarthy has had success on this drive throwing to Darnell Mooney and Likely. McCarthy is also making plays with his legs.
Washington took a 3-0 lead on its first drive of the second quarter. They're getting the ball back after forcing a quick punt on the Giants' ensuing drive. Washington has been able to put pressure on McCarthy, who was sacked on third down.
Commanders are in scoring range to open the second quarter. They've had an impressive drive so far that's included some tough running and a nice play-action pass from Daniels to Treylon Burks that covered 20 yards.
Daniels 6 of 7 for 56 yards in the opening quarter. McCarthy 6 of 9 for 55 yards. Very even opening quarter.
After forcing a punt, the Giants are in the red zone after McCarthy flips a pass to Skattebo as he was falling to the ground. Skattebo then takes it 34 yards down the near sideline.
The Giants MISS a 33-yard FG, however, so the score remains 0-0 with 4:04 left in the first quarter. The kick was push wide left. That's the second time in as many possessions where Washington's defense has stepped up after some early struggles.
The Giants picked up two quick first downs on runs by Cam Skattebo and a catch by Isaiah Likely. Protection issues, however, and a drop by Likely on third down forced the Giants to punt after they reached the Commanders' 37-yard-line. The gusting wind undoubteldy discouraged the Giants from trying a long field goal.
Sonny Styles TRUCKED Devin Singletard at and forced McCarthy into a hurried throw on second down, which contributed to the forced punt.
Giants and JJ McCarthy start with the ball first.
Tonight's weather conjures up memories of the Giants-Washington 1986 NFC title game showdown. On a cold, windy night, the Giants recorded a 17-0 win en route to their first Super Bowl. Then-Giants 34-year-old defensive coordinator Bill Belichick was carred off the field after the win.
John Harbaugh was exceptional on TNF on short weeks during his run in Baltimore. He's been even better after a bye week.
Prime's James Palmer reported that the Giants inquired about the trade possibility of several running backs that included Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor and Tony Pollard. Ultimately, none of those players were traded, and Cam Skattebo remains the Giants' RB1.
Players have been cleared to return to the field. Weather is not expected to delay the start of the game. Rain is still coming down though, and that will likely be the case for most of the game.
