EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Sensational rookie Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes to Terry McLaurin, and the Washington Commanders beat the bumbling New York Giants 27-22 on Sunday for their best start to a season in almost 30 years.
Daniels hit McLaurin on scoring passes of 1 and 18 yards in the first half, and Austin Ekeler, filling in for the injured Brian Robinson, scored on a 1-yard run as the Commanders completed a season sweep of the NFC East rival Giants (2-7). Washington is 7-2 for the first time since 1996.
Austin Seibert, who kicked seven field goals in the Commanders’ 21-18 win in September, added two more, and linebacker Dante Fowler had a big strip-sack early to set up the opening touchdown. The Giants have lost four straight and fell to 0-5 at home.
Daniel Jones threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Manhertz and powered his way through two tackles on a 2-yard fourth-quarter TD run for New York. He added a late 35-yard TD pass to rookie Theo Johnson, but the Giants missed both 2-point conversions. Jude McAtamney kicked a 31-yard field goal in the Irishman’s NFL debut.
The Giants were their own worst enemy. Jones’ fumble on the sack was in Washington territory. New York had a major missed tackle on a third-and-18 play late in the second quarter, leading to a first down that set up McLaurin’s 18-yard TD on the next play. And the Giants had a TD called back by an offensive pass interference on fourth-and-1 from the Washington 3 while trailing 21-7.
Unlike a week ago, when he completed Hail Mary with no time on the clock to beat the Bears in his matchup with fellow rookie Caleb Williams, Daniels was in control throughout. He finished 15 of 22 for 209 yards and iced the game with a 42-yard pass to Olamide Zaccheaus after New York got within five.
Jones finished 20 of 26 for 174 yards. Malik Nabers, Daniels’ LSU teammate, had nine catches for 59 yards. Nabers had a friendly exchange with Daniels after an incomplete pass in the fourth quarter.
Injuries
Washington: Robinson was inactive with a hamstring injury. … DT Philarian Mathis was evaluated for a concussion in the fourth quarter.
Giants: WRs Darius Slayton and Ihmir Smith-Marsette were both evaluated for concussions late.
Up next
Commanders: Host Pittsburgh next Sunday.
Giants: Travel to Germany, where they will face Carolina next Sunday in Munich.
