The Washington Commanders, carrying the momentum of a 6-2 record, will dive into Week 9 and prepare to take on an NFC East foe in the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. The victory would further establish Washington as a contender in the NFC while the Giants seek momentum in a season that’s been marred by barriers. Here are 5 things to watch for in this pivotal matchup.
1. Commanders‘ Defensive Resurgence
The Commanders‘ defense has improved a great deal this season, from 26th to 13th in yards allowed, a big testament to their balanced defensive line with a secondary performing a lot better. In the last games, they have perfected how to disrupt opposing quarterbacks, a reason they managed 22 sacks so far–14 in the past four games alone. This uptick in sack production only serves to show the strengthening of their pass rush, an element heavily carried by stalwarts like Montez Sweat and Jonathan Allen.
The Commanders
currently sit 6th against the pass, holding opponents to over 200 passing yards a game. This improved performance has translated to holding five of their last seven opponents to under 20 points, a trademark of how well they can disrupt high-powered offenses. The Commanders will look to apply similar pressure to the Giants, who are still dealing with injuries along their offensive line.Key to Watch: Notice how the front of the Commanders‘ defense pressures Daniel Jones. The ability to consistently disrupt could be the difference-maker in this game.
2. Giants‘ Offensive Struggles
It is obvious that the Giants have had to fight uphill with their rankings sitting near the bottom in scoring through most of the league, something which has been quite evident. Much of this can be attributed to injuries along the offensive line and the absence of a consistently productive ground game. While the return of Saquon Barkley following a few-game absence due to an ankle injury has, in fact, provided a much-needed boost to the team, a consistent rhythm by New York‘s offense is yet to be found.
The head coach, Brian Daboll, has been forthright about facing those realities head-on, indicating that the team needs to get back to the basics in order to develop consistency. The quarterback play has been pretty spotty, but this is largely due to protection issues resulting from an injury–riddled line. As Daboll and his staff tinker with adjustments, the Giants will search for methods to free up their playmakers against a stingy Commanders defense in terms of allowing big plays.
Key to Watch: The Giants
‘ O-line needs to protect Daniel Jones and open up the field for Barkley to make an impact. If that doesn’t happen, without a strong performance by their line, New York could find it difficult to keep pace with Washington.3. Impact of Key Injuries
Injuries also will, of course, have a role to play in the matchup. The Giants are awaiting clearance for rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., who is working his way through concussion protocol. Tracy has shown flashes of being a versatile asset on offense; his possible return could add some much-needed depth to the New York offense.
A few players still show up on the injury report for the Commanders. Nothing major, but contributors need to be watched. Rotation line and secondary members will be important if New York tries to find matchup advantages on quick passes and slot routes with Washington’s overall defensive depth.
Key to Watch: Injuries tend to be a key factor in deciding the game on occasion, so keep an eye out for injury updates, especially from Tracy, who could provide that spark against Washington‘s stout defense.4. Quarterback Performances
One of the biggest storylines will revolve around the quarterbacks as much is placed upon their shoulders. Jayden Daniels, the leading rookie quarterback of this season‘s surprise, has brought it all around between rushing and passing threat. Daniels’ mobility adds a different dimension to Washington‘s offense, and it‘s getting tough for the defenses to keep track of him. Over the last few games, he has shown poise under pressure while leading this team, making smart decisions, and extending plays with his legs.
In the Giants‘ corner, quarterback play has been suspect all season, especially with Daboll throwing Daniel Jones under the bus after week 8. Protection is key here, as the Commanders are not a team to easily give quarterbacks an easy time of it. If New York‘s line can give Jones protection, their quarterback can make this game competitive.
Key to Watch: It has been huge for Washington how much of a dual threat Daniels can be. How that goes against this New York defense will likely set the tone. On the other hand, coolers and more protection will be needed from the quarterback position to keep up.5. Divisional Standings Implications
In this divisional game, a lot will be at stake. Victory for the Commanders places them securely on top in the NFC East and, in so doing, makes them viable candidates for a good seeding position in the playoffs. More importantly, victory for Big Blue gives the season much-needed rejuvenation while setting the tone for making a last–half push to get to the playoffs.
The NFC East has
been one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL over the years, and a team can still be in the playoff hunt even with a sub-.500 record. With Washington‘s strong start and New York‘s ability to play spoiler, this game holds weight in the standings and morale between both teams.Key to Watch: Division games are often magnified in terms of playoff positioning. For the visitors, this is an opportunity to continue a great season, while the hosts will try to rally and reset their trajectory in what is essentially a must-win scenario.
5 Things To Watch For: Conclusion
Any of these factors could influence the outcome as the Commanders and Giants ready for battle. From the defensive resurgence in Washington to the Giants seeking offensive consistency, this is going to be a very intense NFC East battle with a lot of drama involved. Whether it‘s a high-stakes game for playoff positioning or a season-altering clash for both teams, these five elements ensure that fans won‘t want to miss this matchup.
Also Read: The Most Iconic NFL Rivalries: What Makes These Matchups Unforgettable Every Season
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