Here are just a few of the excellent things the Giants accomplished on Sunday.
With a 31-19 victory in Week 11, the New York Giants maintained their recent dominance over the Washington Commanders. This season, the Giants have defeated the Commanders in two of their three victories.
The Giants have never won a football game while taking eight or more sacks, until this past Saturday. Tommy DeVito was sacked nine times against a Washington team that lost Efe Obada in the first quarter and traded for two first-round edge rushers, Chase Young and Montgomery Sweat, a few weeks ago.
DeVito nevertheless passed for 246 yards and three touchdowns. DeVito won for the first time in his starting quarterback career.
The defense of Wink Martindale recovered from their loss to Washington last week by making six turnovers. In the last minute of the game, the defense forced five turnovers, including a pick six that sealed the victory, and sacked quarterback Sam Howell four times. Special teams forced Washington’s sixth turnover.
Saquon Barkley, the running back, was another important driving force in the win. Before Barkley finished the third quarter with a 36-yard scamper, the Giants had no yards gained through rush plays. Barkley demonstrated his value as a receiver by catching two receiving touchdowns and forty-seven yards from four of five targets. His usage was not restricted to standard “running back” routes because he was targeted from a split-out position on the vertical plane.
Even though this victory is statistically odd, it is still enjoyable to experience. The Commanders had one last drive to win or tie, just like the Giants did against Washington in Week 7. The Giants defense came through on both occasions.
There are undoubtedly draft implications to the victory. For now, though, we’ll savor the unique sensation of a New York Giants victory in 2023. These plays, or series of plays, are what inspired the dub.
Play(s) 1: Pick city
In terms of interceptions last season, the Giants and Raiders were tied for last place. It was just six. In 2023, that all changed as the Giants finished the season with nine interceptions, three of which came in Week 9:
Early in the game, Nick McCloud (44) recorded his first career interception, accounting for one-sixth of the Giants’ forced turnovers. Washington ran a post-seam concept, and the post-side safety responded to a route underneath; McCloud remained in Dyami Brown’s pocket (2), despite Sam Howell’s (14) read of that safety. Howell’s pass was aimed precisely at McCloud, who keeps getting good snaps and is well-positioned to use them.
Howell got away and got out of the way of the 27-year-old Jason Pinnock, who was flying after him. Dexter Lawrence (97) did a great job of blocking Howell’s rush angle and getting in contact with him to change his throw, which fell into Darnay Holmes’ (30) arms with ease.
A pick-six from Isaiah Simmons (19) completed the victory. Howell was forced to step up into the pocket, where Lawrence was waiting, by Kayvon Thibodueax (5) and Azeez Ojulari (51) rushing wide. This caused Howell to throw off-balance to the flat.
Play(s) 2: Peanut punchin’ in DC
Although Halloween was a few weeks ago, Bobby Okereke impersonated Charles “Peanut” Tillman in the Washington game. With two precise, forceful punches, Okereke forced two fumbles, one of which New York recovered:
(Washington recovered this one.)
Before his ejection for fighting with Curtis Samuel, Cor’Dale Flott (28) punched this football away from Logan Thomas (82).
On the first kickoff of the second half, there was another forced fumble. Gervarrius Owens (39), a safety, fell on the football after being hit by McCloud, the main defender, setting up the Giants at Washington’s 34-yard line. Regretfully, the Giants lost two sacks and went three and out.
Play(s) 3: The receiver Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley (26) received a 24-yard dime from DeVito to score the game’s opening points for the Giants. Barkley ran a gorgeous wheel route at a great pace. Barkley slowed his momentum to sell a possible break as Jamin Davis (52) assumed man coverage to the inside, but he then exploded up the field with leverage to the sideline.
Barkley scorched Davis for a touchdown in man coverage for the second straight game. Barkley was able to run underneath DeVito’s pass because it was perfectly timed and placed far enough away from the safety.
Barkley moved swiftly past Kamren Curl (31) and through the line of scrimmage. DeVito made an extremely smart throw here, keeping the ball out of Barkley’s reach and out of Curl’s path even though Curl wasn’t in bad coverage. Barkley and DeVito did a fantastic job helping the Giants gain a lead in the fourth quarter.
Barkley made this spectacular catch during the Giants’ opening drive as well. DeVito found Barkley for a 21-yard reception after doing a great job of evading the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield.
Play(s) 4: Kayvon Thibodeaux
The Kayvon bust story isn’t holding up too well. At only 22, Thibodeaux is already beginning to realize his potential. In addition to harassing veteran tackle Charles Leno Jr., he also informed him of it:
With two sacks in the contest, Thibodeaux now has 10.5 for the season. Throughout the entire game, Thibodeaux was a bother for Howell, forcing plays against the run and exerting a lot of pressure off the edge. Additional highlights from Thibodeaux are as follows:
Play 5: DeVito’s patience
A third-and-13 was successfully converted by DeVito and the Giants just prior to Barkley’s first receiving touchdown. When DeVito hit Darius Slayton on the dig route following Wade Robinson’s (17) clear-out, he demonstrated a keen understanding of the situation and a good pocket. Although the window wasn’t very large, DeVito did a great job.
Barkley scored his first receiving touchdown on the following play, which was again masterfully thrown by DeVito. The series of plays that led to the 40-yard touchdown pass from Darius Slayton is undoubtedly one that merits a spot; in addition to the significance of DeVito’s play-action pass to Slayton, the offense’s rhythm was demonstrated by the two plays to Robinson and the quick pass to Jalin Hyatt.