S³ Sweet Science Sports | NFL Week 10
The Washington Commanders and New York Giants have already played nearly 70 minutes of football against each other this season, and neither team has a victory to show for it.
Their first meeting ended in a 27–27 tie on October 11, a result that exposed Washington's struggles with game management and demonstrated New York's ability to overcome adversity.
Now the division rivals meet again on Thursday Night Football, entering the matchup from two very different directions.
The Giants are 5–2–1, enjoying a strong season under John Harbaugh. Washington, meanwhile, sits at 2–5–1 and faces increasing questions about the future of its season.
For the Giants, the opportunity is to maintain their position in the division. For Washington, this could be one of the final opportunities to prevent an already disappointing season from deteriorating further.
The First Meeting: Washington's Missed Opportunity
The Commanders appeared positioned to win the first matchup after building a 27–13 fourth-quarter lead.
But New York fought back behind Jameis Winston, scoring 14 unanswered points to force overtime.
Washington eventually moved the football into field-goal range with an opportunity to win.
With 12 seconds remaining and the ball at New York's 24-yard line, Jayden Daniels ran another offensive play rather than stopping the clock.
Daniels was tackled inbounds, and Washington couldn't get its offense aligned quickly enough to spike the football.
Time expired without a game-winning field-goal attempt.
It was a costly decision in a season increasingly defined by missed opportunities.
Now Washington gets another opportunity to face the Giants, this time on the road.
Washington: A Franchise Moving in the Wrong Direction
The Commanders' trajectory has become concerning.
After finishing 12–5 in 2024, Washington fell to 5–12 last season and has continued struggling in 2026.
The latest setback came against the Los Angeles Rams, who defeated Washington 20–13 in Week 9.
Jayden Daniels threw for 274 yards and a touchdown without an interception, but the offense struggled to sustain drives.
Washington held a 10–6 halftime lead before being outscored 14–3 in the second half.
The Commanders failed to score in the fourth quarter.
That has become the larger problem. Washington can move the football, compete for stretches and establish favorable positions, but finishing games remains a consistent challenge.
Daniels remains the centerpiece of the franchise. His mobility and ability to extend plays give Washington an opportunity against almost any opponent.
The question is whether the coaching staff and supporting personnel can provide the consistency required to turn those opportunities into victories.
New York: Winning Without Offensive Dominance
The Giants enter Thursday following a 19–11 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
It wasn't an impressive offensive performance, but it demonstrated how effectively New York can win through defensive pressure.
The two teams combined for 13 sacks, with New York producing seven.
Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese delivered an exceptional performance, recording 12 tackles and three sacks.
New York's offense was far less impressive.
The Giants managed just 243 total yards, including 80 rushing yards on 31 carries.
J.J. McCarthy threw for 127 yards before temporarily leaving with an injury. Jameis Winston provided the Giants' only touchdown pass, connecting with Isaiah Likely.
Four successful field goals helped New York secure the victory.
This is what makes the Giants an interesting contender.
Their defense can take control of games, but their offensive inconsistency creates opportunities for opponents capable of limiting mistakes and controlling possession.
Three Keys to Thursday Night
1. Washington must protect Jayden Daniels.
New York's defensive pressure presents the biggest challenge.
The Giants recorded seven sacks against Philadelphia, and Reese has emerged as a dangerous defensive playmaker.
Washington must establish manageable down-and-distance situations and avoid exposing Daniels to repeated third-and-long passing situations.
His running ability could also become an advantage if the Giants fail to maintain disciplined rushing lanes.
2. The Giants need more offensive production.
New York cannot expect its defense to carry the entire workload every week.
The Giants averaged just 2.6 yards per rushing attempt against Philadelphia.
Establishing a productive ground game would help protect McCarthy, who is expected to start, and create opportunities through play-action passing.
Washington's defense has struggled against the pass, giving New York opportunities to attack downfield.
3. Washington must finally finish a close game.
This is the most important factor.
The Commanders have demonstrated enough offensive ability to remain competitive, but their execution has repeatedly failed in critical situations.
The first meeting against New York was a perfect example.
If Washington enters the fourth quarter with an opportunity to win, Daniels and the coaching staff must demonstrate better situational awareness.
S³ Prediction: Washington Commanders 24, New York Giants 20
The Giants enter as the more successful team, and their defensive performance against Philadelphia deserves recognition.
But New York's offense has been inconsistent, particularly when its running game struggles.
Washington has the quarterback capable of exploiting those weaknesses.
Daniels' ability to create offense with his arm and legs gives the Commanders a path to victory, provided they protect the football and avoid the mistakes that have undermined their season.
Expect another competitive NFC East matchup.
S³ is picking Washington to defeat New York 24–20, snapping its recent struggles and finally securing a victory against the Giants after their earlier tie.
The Commanders have already demonstrated that they can compete with New York.
Thursday night is their opportunity to prove they can finish.
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