EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants' 14-7 victory Sunday against the Washington Commanders Sunday was much like almost all their victories in the last two years, because the game was close.
In Brian Daboll's two seasons as coach, the Giants have won 12 games – 11 in the regular season and one in the playoffs.
Only one of those triumphs, a 38-10 rout of Indianapolis on New Year's Day, was by a substantial margin.
The other 11 victories were all one-score games (decided by eight or fewer points). The Giants defeated Washington, Houston, and Chicago by eight points; Washington and Minnesota (in the postseason) by seven; Jacksonville by six; Green Bay by five; Baltimore by four; Arizona and Carolina by three; and Tennessee by one.
That's a margin of 60 total points in 11 victories, an average of 5.4 points a game. No one knows who will win the Giants-Jets game Sunday, but if it's the home team, chances are good the score will be close.
*The Commanders' seven points Sunday were the fewest allowed by the Giants under Daboll. Indianapolis' 10 was the previous standard.
*The Giants' 14 points was their lowest total in a victory in Daboll's two seasons. The previous low was 19 in the three-point victory against the Panthers last season.
*The Giants are 7-1 under Daboll when holding their opponents to less than 20 points. The only loss was nine days ago in Buffalo (14-9).
*For the fifth time since the start of the 2018 season, the Giants won a game in which they did not score in the fourth quarter. Washington was the opponent in each of those victories.
| Date | Score after 3rd quarter | Final score |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 9, 2018 | 40-0 | 40-16 |
| Sept. 29, 2019 | 24-3 | 24-3 |
| Dec. 22, 2019 | 35-21 | 41-35 # |
| Nov. 9, 2020 | 23-13 | 23-20 |
| Oct. 22, 2023 | 14-7 | 14-7 |
# Giants were scoreless in the fourth quarter but won the game in overtime.
View photos from the Giants' Week 7 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) makes a catch against Washington Commanders cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields (26) during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) puts pressure on Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) passes against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) passes against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants linebacker Cam Brown (47) celebrates with linebacker Carter Coughlin (52) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Cam Brown (47) celebrates with teammates during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) is sacked by New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel (4) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) and New York Giants cornerback Tre Hawkins III (37) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) comes down with a touchdown catch against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) comes down with a touchdown catch against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) reacts during the second quarter an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) crosses the goal line for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) sack Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) scores a touchdown during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) catches an interception during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants safety Bobby McCain (21) is pushed out of bounds by the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) avoided a tackle by Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) during a touchdown run during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) hands the ball off to running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) puts pressure on Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants players celebrate a play during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) is sacked by the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) looks to pass under pressure from New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) and defensive end Leonard Williams (99) react during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) hands off the ball to running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson (24) is tackled by the New York Giants during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates with tight end Darren Waller (12) after blocking a field goal attempt by the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
*Saquon Barkley lost a fourth-quarter fumble Sunday, just the fifth time he's fumbled and the second time he's lost one in 1,291 career touches. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Barkley has the fewest fumbles among the 12 active players who have handled the ball at least that many times. He is tied with Buffalo's Latavius Murray for the fewest lost fumbles.
*Leonard Williams recorded his first full sack of the season and in the fourth quarter blocked Joey Slye's 27-yard field goal attempt. He was one of two NFL players with that statistical double on Sunday. Cleveland's Myles Garrett tallied two sacks and blocked a 60-yard field goal try by Indianapolis' Matt Gay.
Before Williams and Garrett, the last NFL player with a sack and a field goal block in the same game was Carolina's Yetur Gross-Matos at Tampa Bay on Jan. 1, 2023.
The last Giants player to accomplish the feat was Jason Pierre-Paul at Dallas on Dec. 11, 2011. JPP had 2.0 sacks among his team-leading eight tackles, and his block of Dan Bailey's 47-yard field goal attempt with one second left preserved the Giants' 37-34 victory.
*The Giants had six plays that gained 20 or more yards against Washington, their highest total since they had eight in an overtime victory in New Orleans on Oct. 3, 2021.
*As a corollary to that, the Giants had five receivers with a reception of at least 22 yards for the first time since … an overtime victory in New Orleans on Oct. 3, 2021. The receivers were Jalin Hyatt (42 and 33 yards), Barkley (32-yard touchdown), Darren Waller (27 yards), Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton (each with a 22-yarder). Two years ago, the receivers were Barkley (54-yard touchdown), John Ross (52-yard score), Kenny Golladay (28 yards), Kadarius Toney (21) and Kyle Rudolph (20).
*Tyrod Taylor threw for 279 yards on 29 attempts, a 9.6-yard average that was the highest by a Giants quarterback since Daniel Jones averaged 11.6 yards per attempt (197 yards on 17 passes) against Houston on Nov. 13, 2022.
*Taylor has not thrown an interception in 80 attempts, making him one of nine quarterbacks who did not throw a pick in their first 80+ passes this season.
*The Giants (eight) and Commanders (10) combined for 18 punts Sunday, the highest total in a Giants game since Dec. 31, 2017, when the Giants and Washington punted nine times in, fittingly, an 18-10 Giants victory.
*The Commanders'10 punts were the most by a Giants opponent since Dec. 13, 2010, when the Minnesota Vikings punted 10 times. That game was played in Ford Field in Detroit on a Monday night. The Giants were scheduled to the play the Vikings Sunday in Minneapolis, but the site and day were changed after the Metrodome roof collapsed due to a blizzard.
*The Giants (five) and Commanders (one) succeeded on a combined six of 31 third-down conversion opportunities. It was the second consecutive game the Giants and their opponents totaled 31 third-down opportunities. Last week in Buffalo, the Giants were 10-for-19, while the Bills were six-for-12.
*The 25 combined unsuccessful attempts Sunday were the highest total in a Giants game since Dec. 11, 2016, when the Giants were two-for-14 and the Dallas Cowboys were one-for-15 on third down tries. That was also the previous game in which a Giants opponent converted just one third down on 15 or more attempts.
*Each of the last three times the Giants have held their opponent to one third-down conversion, the opponent was Washington. In addition to Sunday, on Dec. 31, 2017, Washington was one-for-13, and last Dec. 18 the Commanders were one-for-10.
*The Giants are 2-1 this season when their time of possession is less than 30 minutes, 0-4 when it is greater than that number.
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