In a battle for respect, revenge, and redemption, the Washington Commanders, led by quarterback Sam Howell, are gearing up to face the New York Giants in Week 11. The Giants, grappling with a season marred by injuries, present an opportunity for the Commanders to bounce back and prove their mettle.
The State of the New York Giants
The Giants’ season appears to be on life support, with injuries taking a severe toll on the team. The once-promising roster is now a shadow of itself, leaving Head Coach Brian Daboll scrambling for answers. The Giants’ defensive struggles and the transition to new quarterbacks have left them with an uphill battle.
Despite having triumphed over the Commanders in their previous encounter with a score of 14-7, the Giants have undergone significant quarterback changes. The absence of injured QBs Tyrod Taylor and Daniel Jones leaves them with Tommy DeVito, whose recent performance against Dallas raised eyebrows with a subpar rating and just 86 yards, 61 after accounting for sacks.
DeVito’s struggles underscore the Giants’ larger issue – a passing attack that has produced under 100 net yards in two of their last three games. With the absence of reliable quarterback options, the Giants are searching for answers to revive their once-potent offense.
Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell’s Evolution
On the other side, the Washington Commanders are no strangers to disappointment, having suffered a heartbreaking loss to Seattle in their previous outing. But while the Giants face a multitude of challenges, the Commanders continue to focus on the growth of their young quarterback, Sam Howell. Despite a rocky start to the season, Howell’s recent performances indicate a maturation process, with reduced sacks and increased touchdown efficiency. Since their Week 7 clash with the Giants, Howell has shown improvement, displaying a sharper understanding of the game.
Commanders’ Defensive Challenges and Giants’ Offensive Potential
But despite a commendable performance from their quarterback, Sam Howell, who racked up 312 yards, three touchdowns, and a rating close to 110, the Commanders couldn’t secure the win against the Seahawks. The loss emphasized the defensive vulnerabilities of the Commanders, allowing Geno Smith to amass 369 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants might also find hope in their ground game, especially with the dynamic Saquon Barkley, who ran for 77 yards, had 3 receptions for 41 yards, including one for a touchdown, against Washington in their last meeting. The Commanders have struggled against running backs, allowing 4.2 yards per carry this season. If Barkley can exploit these weaknesses, the Giants might have a chance to turn things around.
Keys to Victory
As the Commanders prepare for this crucial matchup, the key question is whether Howell’s progress will translate into success against the Giants’ beleaguered defense. The Giants, dealing with injuries to key defensive players, present an opportunity for the Commanders’ offense to find its rhythm and avoid underperforming against supposedly weaker opponents.
The Week 11 showdown will ultimately be decided by the on-field matchups. The Giants’ defensive line, which has struggled to apply pressure in recent games, will need to step up against Howell and the Commanders’ offense. Conversely, if Howell can exploit the Giants’ injury-ridden defense, the Commanders may find the redemption they desperately seek.
Final Analysis and Conclusion
In a season marked by ups and downs, injuries, and unexpected twists, both teams are hungry for a victory. The outcome of this matchup could be a turning point for either the Giants, seeking to salvage a challenging season, or the Commanders, striving to prove that they can rise above adversity and contend for a playoff spot.
As the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants prepare to clash on Sunday at FedEx Field, fans are left wondering which narrative will unfold – one of redemption or continued struggles in a tumultuous NFL season.
Giants offense averages about 160 yards & 11.8 points-per-game, both last in the NFL. Commanders D gives up 27.4 points-per-game (31st) and about 391 yards-per-game (29th). Rubber meets road Sunday. https://t.co/QS5I1RgPEg
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 17, 2023