AT A GLANCE: With both sides looking to avoid a 0-2 hole to start the season, the New York Giants and Washington Football Team put on a show for the country on Thursday Night Football. In a back-and-forth battle between NFC East rivals that saw five lead changes – three in the fourth quarter alone – Washington ultimately came out on top. Dustin Hopkins, who got a second chance due to an offsides penalty by the Giants, made a 43-yard field goal with no time remaining for a 30-29 victory.
UP NEXT: After playing two games in a five-day span, the Giants (0-2) won't hit the field again for 10 days. They take on the Atlanta Falcons at home in Week 3, a game in which two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning will be inducted into the Giants Ring of Honor and have his No. 10 jersey retired. Atlanta lost to Philadelphia 32-6 in Week 1 and plays Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Check out the best photos from the New York Giants' primetime game against the Washington Football Team.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) walks back to the sidelines after running the ball in to score a touchdown against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) gets up after after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. Throwing his arms up is teammate New York Giants center Billy Price (69). (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) stands up and running in to score a touchdown against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) scoring a touchdown against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) running with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board runs the ball during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Alika Jenner/NFL)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Alika Jenner/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks for an open passduring an NFL football game against the XXXX on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Alika Jenner/NFL)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) running with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) breaks away from Washington Football Team cornerback Bobby McCain (20) as he runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) is tackled by Washington Football Team cornerback Bobby McCain (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Al Drago)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Washington Football Team inside linebacker Jon Bostic (53) during an NFL football game on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Alika Jenner/NFL)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Alika Jenner/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants center Billy Price (69) lines up against Washington Football Team nose tackle Daron Payne (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) running downfield with the ball against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) is tackled by Washington Football Team cornerback Bobby McCain (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Al Drago)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) makes a touchdown catch against Washington Football Team cornerback William Jackson (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Alika Jenner/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks for an open pass during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Alika Jenner/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks for an open pass during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Alika Jenner/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass the ball during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Alika Jenner/NFL)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) celebrates a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) celebrates a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) is tackled by Washington Football Team safety Kamren Curl (31) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) makes a touchdown catch against Washington Football Team cornerback William Jackson (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) runs during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks fourth quarter go-ahead field goal during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) runs the ball against Washington Football Team linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) runs during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants center Billy Price (69) raises arms after New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) runs during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) looses the ball against New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) running with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) makes a throw during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) celebrates with his teammates in the end zone during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass the ball during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) running with the ball against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Al Drago)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is hit while running with the ball by Washington Football Team strong safety Landon Collins (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
DB Nate Ebner
LS Casey Kreiter
WR Sterling Shepard, S Jabrill Peppers
TE Kyle Rudolph, WR Darius Slayton
RB Saquon Barkley
S Jabrill Peppers
WR Kadarius Toney
S Julian Love
RB Saquon Barkley, WR Sterling Shepard
WR Kadarius Toney
QB Daniel Jones
QB Daniel Jones
WR Kadarius Toney
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones
HC Joe Judge
FB Cullen Gillaspia, RB Saquon Barkley, RB Devontae Booker
WR Darius Slayton
DB Logan Ryan
QB Daniel Jones, RB Saquon Barkley
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Sterling Shepard
LB Reggie Ragland
WR C.J. Board
QB Daniel Jones
QB Daniel Jones
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
CB Darnay Holmes, S Xavier McKinney
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Sterling Shepard
QB Daniel Jones
WR Sterling Shepard
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones
QB Daniel Jones
WR Sterling Shepard
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones
RB Saquon Barkley
LB Oshane Ximines
CB Darnay Holmes
S Julian Love
LB Carter Coughlin
LB Lorenzo Carter
TE Kyle Rudolph
LB Azeez Ojulari
K Graham Gano
WR Sterling Shepard
RB Saquon Barkley
CB Rodarius Williams
RB Gary Brightwell
RB Elijhaa Penny
LB Tae Crowder
S Jabrill Peppers
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Devontae Booker
OL Nick Gates
G Will Hernandez
S Xavier McKinney
CB Adoree' Jackson
LS Casey Kreiter
CB James Bradberry
LB Blake Martinez
DL Dexter Lawrence
DL Leonard Williams
C.J. Board (18)
Mike Glennon (2)
Evan Engram (88)
Riley Dixon (9), Casey Kreiter (58)
C.J. Board (18)
Daniel Jones (8)
Reggie Ragland (55)
Tae Crowder (48)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Blake Martinez (54), Nate Ebner (43)
Kaden Smith (82)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Matt Peart (74)
Nate Solder (76)
Graham Gano (5)
Austin Johnson (98)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
James Bradberry (24)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Logan Ryan (23)
Leonard Williams (99)
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
*Hours before kickoff, guard Shane Lemieux was placed on injured reserve. Matt Skura, who has started 52 of the 57 regular-season and postseason games in which he's played, was signed off the practice squad to replace him. In addition, the Giants elevated wide receiver/kickoff returner C.J. Board and tight end Chris Myarick from the practice squad to their game roster.
*With Lemieux out, the Giants shuffled their interior offensive line. Center Nick Gates, one of seven team captains for 2021, moved to left guard. Billy Price moved to center and made his first start for the Giants after being acquired in a trade with the Bengals less than three weeks ago. That left them with the following starting lineup: LT Andrew Thomas, LG Nick Gates, C Billy Price, RG Will Hernandez, RT Nate Solder.
*The Giants couldn't have drawn it up any better on their first drive. Daniel Jones marched the team 79 yards on 11 plays, capped by a six-yard touchdown run by the quarterback. On the next drive, however, a gruesome injury brought the game to a halt. Gates suffered a lower leg fracture that required an air cast. The entire team surrounded Gates, who was seen smiling, before he was carted off the field. Ben Bredeson replaced him.
*Saquon Barkley, who set a franchise record with 279 yards from scrimmage in his last trip to FedExField in 2019, broke a 41-yard run in the first half. Earlier in the week, Barkley said "explosiveness" was not a problem coming off his much-anticipated return from injury in Week 1, when he had 10 carries for 26 yards. Thursday was his second game in five days after not playing in nearly a year.
*Jones was dangerous with his legs, rushing nine times for 95 yards with a long of 46 yards. Jones had 65 rushing attempts for 423 yards (6.5-yard average) last season, a franchise record for a Giants quarterback in the Super Bowl era. Pro Football Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton previously held the record with 306 yards in 1967. Jones completed 22 of 32 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown to Darius Slayton.
*TE Evan Engram missed his second consecutive game with a calf injury.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
*With a sack to end Washington's opening drive, second-round pick Azeez Ojulari became the first rookie in franchise history with sacks in each of his first two NFL games. He took down backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who started in place of Ryan Fitzpatrick (placed on injured reserve with a hip injury). Note: Sacks became an official stat in 1982. The Giants didn't have another sack or tackle for loss for the rest of the game.
*After the Giants retook a six-point lead with under five minutes left in the game, the defense allowed a 56-yard catch-and-run to RB J.D. McKissic. On the very next play, Heinicke hit TE Ricky Seals-Jones for a touchdown and a one-point Washington lead.
*Just when things looked bleak, Pro Bowl CB James Bradberry redeemed the group and intercepted Heinicke in Washington territory. It led to a go-ahead field goal for the Giants with two minutes remaining. However, it would not be enough.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS
*It's only Thursday night, but Graham Gano set the bar high for Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He made all five of his field goal attempts from 23, 47, 52, 55, and 35 yards, extending his streak to 35 in a row. But it was Washington's kicker who left the field victorious. After missing a 48-yard attempt as time expired, Dustin Hopkins got another chance to win the game due to an offside penalty on DT Dexter Lawrence. With the ball five yards closer now, Hopkins made the game-winner.
INJURY REPORT
NYG: OL Nick Gates (lower leg fracture)
WFT: DT Matt Ioannidis (knee)
INACTIVES
NYG: TE Evan Engram (calf), WR Collin Johnson, CB Josh Jackson, CB Sam Beal, LB Justin Hilliard, LB Cam Brown, LB Quincy Roche
WFT: CB Darryl Roberts, DE Shake Toney, OT Saahdiq Charles, TE Sammis Reyes
LINEUP CHANGES
NYG: Nick Gates to LG; Billy Price to C
WFT: None
Limited Tickets Available for Eli Manning Ceremony
Limited tickets are available for Eli Manning's jersey retirement and Ring of Honor induction game
