After a much-needed bye week, the Washington Commanders looked to rid themselves of the bitter taste in their mouths after tying with the New York Giants two weeks ago. Coincidentally, they would be able to do so against the Giants once again under the bright lights of Sunday night football. This was more than just a divisional rivalry game for the Washington Commanders; this was essentially a home play-off game for them. As this was a game that had tremendous significance on their playoff contingency.
From the start of the game it had the feel of a throwback game; as it was a physical type of game out the gate. In addition, it felt as if both teams were in a heavyweight title fight; being that the magnitude of the game was so immense for both ball clubs. As the winner between the two would now have a one and a half game advantage over the other in the division standings.
While the Washington Commanders were able to strike first on the score board to give them an early lead. The Giants would come back and punch the Commanders in the mouth in the second quarter. As they were able to score 14 unanswered points after they were able to score on both sides of the ball on back to back possessions.
With that, the Washington Commanders would find themselves having to play catch up for the remainder of the game. As they now found themselves in an 11-point hole heading to the locker room at halftime. Although, they would come out firing in the second half; and was able to cut into the lead with a much-needed scoring drive on their opening possession.
However, in the end the Washington Commanders committed too many self-inflicted errors that they couldn’t overcome. Which resulted in them losing a crucial game that could ultimately be detrimental to their playoff hopes.
Commanders Gut Checked in Second Quarter
For the first 15 minutes of the game the Washington Commanders seemed to be in command of the game. Although they weren’t able to generate many points on the score board; they were able to put together some nice drives to get them into Giants territory. Coupled with the defense being able to get some early stops in the game they were able to get off to an early 3-0 lead.
However, for the second game in a row the Washington Commanders were dominated by the Giants in the second quarter. As the Giants were able to flip the script with their defensive line being able to get after the quarterback. Thus, forcing the Washington Commanders offense to stall completely as they were unable to get anything going offensively.
Notably, the main contributor to the Washington Commanders’ offensive deficiencies was Giants’ rookie outside linebacker, Kayvon Thibodeaux. Who was a force of nature in the second quarter and seemingly couldn’t be blocked by the Commanders’ offensive line.
Furthermore, the Washington Commanders inability to block Thibodeaux would prove to be costly on their opening possession of the second quarter. With Washington starting the drive from their own 10-yard line after a ticky tack holding call on offensive tackle, Cornelius Lucas, negated a 11-yard run from Antonio Gibson. It would ultimately come back and bite the Commanders on the very next play.
As Taylor Heinicke dropped back to pass he was met with immediate pressure on his blind side from Kayvon Thibodeaux. Resulting in a forced fumble as Thibodeaux was able to swat the ball out of Heinicke’s hand. Which he would then recover for a touchdown as the ball rolled into the end zone. Subsequently giving the New York Giants a 7-3 lead.
On the ensuing possession for the Commanders they looked to answer back. However, they were unable to get anything going after a nice 11-yard run from Brain Robinson, and were forced to punt the ball back to the New York Giants.
With that, the Commanders’ defense needed to get a stop or at least hold them to a field goal to keep things within one possession. Which seemed to be an easy task, after a booming punt from Tress Way put the Giants at the 3-yard line. Though, things wouldn’t go in Washington’s favor as they would give up a devastating 97-yard touchdown drive that chewed up over eight minutes off the clock.
Due to the Commanders’ defense being unable to get off the field on three different occasions where they forced the Giants into a third and long. The one time they did get a stop on third down the Giants kept their offense out on the field. As they were able to convert on a 4th & 9; which was absolutely back breaking for the defense. Ultimately, it would result in Saquon Barkley rushing in for a 3-yard touchdown on a wild cat run. Giving the New York Giants the 14-3 lead heading into halftime.
Jahan Dotson Has Breakout Second Half
For standout rookie receiver Jahan Dotson, he did not get off to a great start in Sunday night’s game against the New York Giants. As he was quiet for the entirety of the first half not receiving a single target during the first half. Seemingly the only time his name was called in the first half was for committing a false start late in the first quarter.
With the Washington Commanders trailing by two scores coming out of half time after going on a drought during the second quarter. They desperately needed to get something going offensively if they were going to have any chance to come back. Therefore, their offense would look to their young receivers to get them back on track.
This would serve as the perfect time for Jahan Dotson to put his imprint on the game and make the New York Giants feel him. As he would explode for 105 receiving yards and a touchdown on just 4 receptions in the second half; with each catch going for over 10-yards.
During the opening possession for the Washington Commanders Dotson would come up with two huge catches for a total of 30-yards. The first one going for an 11-yard gain as he was able to get open on a drag route. On the very next play Dotson would get himself open once again after delivering a nasty move at the top of his post route. Heinicke would deliver a strike to Dotson for their first touchdown of the game. Thus, bringing the Giants lead down to five after a botched two-point conversion; which led to a missed extra point attempt.
Two possessions later Dotson would deliver his biggest catch of the game on the first play of the drive. As Heinicke dropped back to throw he would deliver an absolute bomb to him streaking down the seam of the field. Although he was covered Dotson was able to elevate over the top of his defender and come up with an amazing one-handed snag for a 61-yard completion. Putting the Washington Commanders into Giants territory as they trailed by five still.
OH. MY. GOD.
📺 #NYGvsWAS NBC pic.twitter.com/Gr5jt4ZEbO
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 19, 2022
Unfortunately, for the Washington Commanders after that play they wouldn’t come up with any points after an untimely fumble from Taylor Heinicke on third and goal. In turn the Giants would drive down and get a field goal to put them up eight points with just under two minutes left to play.
This left them down to one last attempt to try and come back to tie the game up, as they needed to score a touchdown and a successful two-point conversation. With that Jahan Dotson would come up with yet another big time catch to bring the Washington Commanders closer to completing their comeback. As he broke open for a 14-yard grab on a beautiful out route to bring them into the red zone. However, this would not be enough to lift them to victory; as they were unable to convert on fourth and goal.
Controversial Officiating Costs the Washington Commanders
With just over a minute left in the game the Washington Commanders were down to the Giants 1-yard line and needed to score to bring them within two points of tying the game. Therefore, on third and goal they handed the ball off to Brian Robinson who would bull dose his way in for the touchdown. Well that’s at least what everyone thought before realizing that there was a flag on the play.
With that the cheers from the home crowd would quickly turn to boos. As they would be informed that the touchdown would be nullified after an illegal formation penalty was called on Terry McLaurin. Although, after the game McLaurin said that he checked in with the referee and he told him that he was in legal position on the ball. However, the Washington Commanders now faced a 3rd & 6 with the clock winding down. Which would ultimately end up being costly for them and their chances to win.
After an incomplete pass on third down they now were down to their final play of the game on fourth down. On the final play Taylor Heinicke would drop back in the pocket looking for a target. As he bought some time in the pocket he would left to his left and deliver the ball to Curtis Samuel. Unfortunately, the ball would be knocked away by the defender and would end the Washington Commanders comeback efforts.
Although that should not have been the final play of the game for Washington. After looking back at the replay there was a case to be made that there should have been a defensive pass interference call on the defender. As he was holding onto Samuel for essentially the entire route and latched onto him before the ball even reached him. However, there was no flag thrown by the official.
NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay says refs missed a DPI on Curtis Samuel:
“This is defensive pass interference … it’s always a foul and should have been called.” pic.twitter.com/8teYF6UBxd
— Josh Hill (@jdavhill) December 19, 2022
Ensuing the game, it was clear that everyone within the Washington Commanders’ locker room were immensely upset with the final call on McLaurin and the no call on Samuel. When head coach Ron Rivera was asked about it he said, “Don’t ask me about the refereeing because I can’t answer the question.” Which insinuated his displeasure in the officiating but he couldn’t fully give his true feelings without being fined by the league.
Following this heartbreaking loss, each game moving forward holds even more importance as they try and hold on to the final spot in the Wild Card. Now the Washington Commanders must focus their attention the 49ers; as they hop on the road to head to San Francisco to face off against a 49ers team that is hot right now and rallying behind backup quarterback Brock Purdy.
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