NFL News & Analysis

NFL Week 15 Game Recap: New York Giants 20, Washington Commanders 12

Landover, Maryland, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) attempts a passel against the Washington Commanders during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

This NFC East showdown on Sunday Night Football had major playoff implications, and the road dog visiting the Nation’s capital prevailed.

With a win over the Washington Commanders, the New York Giants move to 8-5-1 and have significantly bolstered their playoff odds.

Offensive Spotlight: Giants running back Saquon Barkley was the focal point of the offense, as usual. He accumulated 23 touches for the game and was responsible for 11 of the team’s 19 chain-moving runs. Quarterback Daniel Jones leaned on the quick underneath passing game, which in turn helped lighten the decision-making process and took the stress off the offensive line. Jones didn’t produce a single turnover-worthy play on the night and also didn’t get sacked.

Defensive Spotlight: First-round rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux was the star of the night for New York. He came up with a huge strip-sack for a touchdown while racking up three tackles for loss against the run. And on the interior for New York, Dexter Lawrence was once again an impact performer, totaling five pressures and a 26% pass-rush win rate on the night.

Rookie Spotlight: One rookie who shined outside of Thibodeaux and his high-level playmaking on the edge for New York was Washington first-round receiver Jahan Dotson. Dotson came up with two big contested grabs, one of which came on a 61-yard reception and the other being the lone touchdown of the night for the Commanders.

Offensive Line Spotlight: Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas allowed just one pressure on 34 pass-blocking snaps, but rookie right tackle Evan Neal was a different story. He had a rough go against Montez Sweat, allowing five total pressures and losing three additional reps.

Box Score

Passing
New York Giants
Player Fantasy Comp/Att Yds YPA TD Int Sacks Rtg
Daniel Jones 9.9 21 / 32 160 5.0 0 0 0 77.6
Washington Commanders
Player Fantasy Comp/Att Yds YPA TD Int Sacks Rtg
Taylor Heinicke 15.3 17 / 29 249 8.6 1 0 3 98.2
Rushing
New York Giants
Player Fantasy Car Yds YPC TD Long Fum Lost
Saquon Barkley 23.0 18 87 4.8 1 15 0
Daniel Jones 9.9 10 35 3.5 0 10 0
Matt Breida 2.2 2 6 3.0 0 5 0
Washington Commanders
Player Fantasy Car Yds YPC TD Long Fum Lost
Taylor Heinicke 15.3 3 33 11.0 0 15 2
Brian Robinson Jr. 11.7 12 89 7.4 0 19 0
Curtis Samuel 7.5 5 1 0.2 0 2 0
Antonio Gibson 4.7 5 21 4.2 0 10 0
Dyami Brown 1.5 1 15 15.0 0 15 0
Receiving
New York Giants
Player Fantasy Tgt Rec Yds YPT TD Long
Saquon Barkley 23.0 8 5 33 4.1 0 9
Richie James 8.2 5 4 42 8.4 0 15
Isaiah Hodgins 7.7 4 4 37 9.2 0 19
Darius Slayton 7.3 7 5 23 3.3 0 7
Nick Vannett 2.5 1 1 15 15.0 0 15
Matt Breida 2.2 1 1 6 6.0 0 6
Daniel Bellinger P 1.4 4 1 4 1.0 0 4
Washington Commanders
Player Fantasy Tgt Rec Yds YPT TD Long
Jahan Dotson 23.5 6 4 105 17.5 1 61
Terry McLaurin 13.0 6 6 70 11.7 0 20
Brian Robinson Jr. 11.7 1 1 18 18.0 0 18
Curtis Samuel 7.5 5 3 44 8.8 0 27
Antonio Gibson 4.7 4 2 6 1.5 0 4
Logan Thomas 1.6 3 1 6 2.0 0 6
Dyami Brown 1.5 2 0 0 0.0 0 0

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