The Giants had a 4-1 start and a stranglehold on first place in the NFC East staring them in the face, and the seemingly beaten Commanders took it from them.
Literally.
One play after Cam Skattebo pounded the soggy grass at Northwest Stadium in celebration after dragging a flock of Washington defenders for a first down deep in Commanders territory, the reliable running back uncharacteristically fumbled near the line of scrimmage, giving Washington new life late in overtime to set up what should have been a certain game-winning field goal that dropped Big Blue to 3-2 on the season.
Instead, Washington had its own backbreaking flop, as Jayden Daniels ran around in the backfield before finally going down on the final play of the game, leaving the Commanders no time to spike the ball and stop the clock for the field goal try, and the Giants settled for a tie.
New York's defensive unit jumped in celebration as if it had just won the game, as they were about to helplessly watch a field goal try that was only possible after Washington marched down the field after the Skattebo fumble. They were spared that frustration thanks to their division rivals, who inexplicably blew what would have been a short field goal try in the final seconds of the overtime period.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn slammed his headset to the ground in disgust as the clock hit zeros, but the Giants could share the same frustration, even if the game ended with a gift. Big Blue should have won the game several times before the Commanders' play calling gaffe, from Skattebo's fumble to Dominic Zvada's missed field goal from 46 yards out midway through overtime, his third missed field goal of the game.
Sunday was shaping up to be another spirited win by the Giants, as they erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter on the back of Jameis Winston and Malik Nabers, the latter putting together his best game since his ACL injury last season, finishing with 11 catches for a team-high 121 yards and the game-tying touchdown. Winston, after a rough first half, threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, and - most importantly - no interceptions.
Still, it did not lead to a win, as the Giants spoiled a golden opportunity to start 2-0 in the NFC East for the first time in 17 years, and build a two-game lead in the division.
Big Blue cost itself a golden chance to take a stranglehold on the NFC East.
Big Blue cost itself a golden chance to take a stranglehold on the NFC East.
