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In an exciting matchup, the Washington Commanders, boasting a record of 6-2, are set to face off against the New York Giants, who sit at 2-6. The game is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, and will be aired on FOX. According to BetMGM’s NFL odds, Washington is favored to win by four points. Historically, the Giants have had the upper hand in the series, leading with 108 wins against Washington’s 72, with five ties.
Looking back at their recent performances, Washington secured a narrow victory over the Chicago Bears last week, winning 18-15 at home. Meanwhile, the Giants struggled against the Pittsburgh Steelers, losing 26-18 on Monday night, complicating their season further.
In terms of offensive capabilities, the Commanders rank third overall, matching their rush offense, while placing tenth in passing and third in scoring. On the other side, the Giants’ offense is having a tough season, sitting at 26th overall, 24th in rushing, and 23rd in passing with a dismal 31st in scoring. Defensively, both teams are tied in overall ranking at 13, but the Giants’ rush defense ranks lower at 25, contrasting with the Commanders’ upper echelon ranks of 6th in pass defense and 10th in scoring defense.
A critical player for Washington is running back Brian Robinson Jr. This season, he’s amassed 461 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns, contributing significantly to the success of the Commanders’ offense. In their previous meeting against the Giants, Robinson had a standout performance, rushing for a career-high 133 yards.
For the Giants, cornerback Deonte Banks is a key player to watch. After a rocky start to the season, including being benched during the game against the Steelers, Banks is intent on reclaiming his spot as a solid cover corner, a position he held when the season began. Head coach Brian Daboll has confirmed that Banks will return to the starting lineup.
One of the anticipated battles in this game will be the Giants’ defense trying to control Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels. In their earlier matchup, Washington’s offense was on full display, gaining 425 total yards and dominating time of possession. However, numerous red zone failures allowed New York to stay competitive in that encounter.
Injuries will play a significant role in this matchup. The Commanders are hopeful that Daniels can overcome rib soreness that limited him in practices, whereas rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman may return from a concussion. Veteran Cornelius Lucas may miss the game due to an ankle injury. For the Giants, the injury report lists several key players, including running back Tyrone Tracy, center John Michael Schmitz, left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, punter Jamie Gillan, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, and outside linebacker Brian Burns. Flott and Gillan were absent from the previous game, while Tracy’s situation remains a primary concern as he progresses through the concussion protocol.
As Washington chases its first season sweep of the Giants since 2021, it is worth noting that New York has won three of the last four encounters. Statistically, Washington should be bolstered by their home advantage, where they’ve remained undefeated thus far. If they manage to win, it will mark their first time starting a season 7-2 since 1996. With Daniels’ excellent performance and completion rate, Washington seeks to leverage its offensive momentum against a struggling Giants team, which has yet to find a first-half touchdown in four home games.
In terms of fantasy football relevance, eyes will be on the LSU connection between Daniels and Malik Nabers. After returning from a concussion and showcasing an impressive performance, Nabers, with 46 receptions over six games, has been drawing attention as one of the promising players this season.
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