Commanders snap eight-game losing streak with win over rival Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — No game is a must-win for a 3-10 football team that’s already been eliminated from playoff contention. But Sunday’s 29-21 victory over the New York Giants felt essential for the Commanders. 

Washington was riding an eight-game losing streak, the longest in the NFL. 

“It’s hard to go two months without winning a football game,” said quarterback Marcus Mariota, who started in place of the injured Jayden Daniels. “For our guys to be able to put that aside, fight all week and knowing it was going to be a divisional opponent on the road, games like this are never easy.”

The Commanders, now 4-10, braved frigid conditions and a morning snowstorm to snap their skid. But, like the day’s weather, the win was far from pretty. 

After jumping out to a 22-7 lead in the first half, Washington spent the final two quarters furiously jeopardizing and defending its lead. 

Leading by two scores with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Commanders tried to control the clock. But Mariota fumbled when the Giants contacted him behind the line of scrimmage. It was his second fumble of the day. 

Giants linebacker Brian Burns grabbed the loose ball and returned it deep into Washington territory. New York’s rookie signal-caller Jaxson Dart tossed a 16-yard touchdown four plays later to narrow Washington’s advantage to one possession. 

The Giants’ attack struggled throughout the day, as Dart completed 20 of his 36 pass attempts for 246 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The first-year quarterback did just enough to make Commanders fans sweat. 

Washington regained possession and again looked to milk the remaining time out of the clock with a rushing attack that had proven efficient throughout the day. 

Again, they fumbled. 

Running back Jeremy McNichols let the ball hit the turf with just over two minutes remaining. 

The Giants couldn’t string together another scoring drive, turning the ball over on downs without another score.  Mariota, who threw for 211 yards and a touchdown, could finally take a knee to seal the victory.

In the post-game locker room, Washington’s players laughed off the mistake-filled performance. 

“Football is not played by perfect men,” Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu said. “They made it kind of hard for us at the end, but it’s football. We’re here for each other; it’s a brotherhood.”

Washington’s comraderie — a focal point for coach Dan Quinn — has been tested over the last two months. The defeats have ranged from hard-fought, overtime losses to the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos to last week’s 31-0 shutout in Minnesota against the Vikings. 

The Commanders kept finding new ways to lose. The offense was inert last Sunday. A few missed kicks doomed them against the Dolphins. The defense was missing when the Seattle Seahawks came to town. 

The mounting injuries have loomed over the once-promising club as the losses piled up. Key contributors like Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, edge rusher Dorance Armstrong, tight end Zach Ertz and cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos have all missed time with various ailments. 

Adapting to a revolving carousel has created issues for Washington’s offense.

But when the losing streak has been darkest, the team turns to its veterans. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil, linebacker Bobby Wagner and pass rusher Von Miller have a combined 23 Pro Bowl appearances between them. 

When they talk, the team listens.

“Those guys have played a lot of great football for a really long time. They’re prideful in that,” Mariota said. “When you have those types of guys in your locker room showing you what it’s supposed to look like, regardless of what your record is, it’s huge and it’s important.”

Sunday’s performance was closer to what the Commanders’ leaders likely envisioned for this season, outside of the dangerous errors. The defense harassed Dart throughout the game. On special teams, rookie Jaylin Lane returned a first-half punt for a touchdown. The offense was led by a ground attack that received 96 rushing yards and a touchdown from rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. 

The score marked Croskey-Merritt’s first since Week 5 — which was also Washington’s final win before the losing streak. 

“It’s a brotherhood. It’s easy to say, ‘We’re just going to forget everything and let the season be over,’” the Arizona product said. “But we’re the type of crew that’s going to fight to the end. We’re just going to stick together.”

For some Commanders, Sunday’s victory left a bittersweet taste. It was a reminder of what this season could have been. 

“Finally getting this W feels good, but there’s a lot of problems, to be honest with you. Why couldn’t we do this earlier?” Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves said. “The competitive nature in me is like, why couldn’t we have done this? So, it’s a weird feeling.”

It’s too late for one win to save Washington’s season. With three games remaining, they’ll be playing for pride when they host the 9-5 Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. 

“Next Saturday will be the test of what this win can do,” Reaves said. “We passed the point of talking about things that can be done. We’ve just got to go do it.”