Washington Commanders (1-1) – New York Giants (0-2): 21-18
Scoring no touchdowns while running for more than 420 yards is the extraordinary feat achieved by the Commanders. Unable to score a single touchdown despite five trips to the opponent's red zone, they made things terribly difficult for themselves. But driven by their ground game, symbolized by Brian Robinson Jr (17 carries, 133 yards) but also quarterback Jayden Daniels (23/29, 226 yards, 10 carries, 44 yards), they managed to win at the last minute.
Washington: sterile possession
Or almost. During the first act, the men from the capital monopolized the ball without being able to score a touchdown. Always slowed down in the truth zone, they had to be content with scoring field goals. More than 21 minutes of possession and only 9 points after the break. Conversely, the visitors were particularly efficient. A touchdown on their first drive by Devin Singletary and a touchdown by rookie Malik Nabers just before the break which concluded a great comeback led by Daniel Jones. New York missed its two conversions (first on foot, and then at 2 points).
We take the same and we start again almost identically in the 2nd half. The Commanders continue their stranglehold on the leather and the clock. Without more success. Three more trips to the red zone which end with 3 points each time. If the attack led by Kliff Kingsbury knows how to move the chains, the conclusion is clearly a work in progress. An inability to take control of the match which allows the Giants to continue their game due to you to me. Daniel Jones finds Wan'Dale Robinson and gives the advantage back to his team. But there too the two-point conversion does not go through.
Nabers had almost everything right
If he wasn't brilliant, Daniel Jones at least created a connection with his rookie receiver. Nabers did what he was drafted for in 6th position. Regularly catching his opposite number out, he made the chains move. But on a 4th decisive attempt with two minutes to go, the rookie dropped the leather on the edge of the field and gave the Commanders the opportunity to win on the wire. Robinson and Daniels led this final possession perfectly by putting their kicker in an ideal situation. 7 out of 7 for Austin Seibert who gave Dan Quinn his first victory as Head Coach of Washington.
