Spielplan: Washington Commanders
Commanders at Giants Preview: Projected Starters, Injury Report and a Must-Win Thursday Night
Commanders at Giants: Thursday, November 12
- Kickoff: Thursday, Nov. 12, 8:15 PM ET (5:15 PM PT)
- Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
- TV/stream: Prime Video
- Records: Commanders 2-5-1, Giants 5-2-1 (1st in the NFC East)
- Line: Giants by 1.5 to 2.5 depending on the book (opened 1.5); total 42.5
Jayden Daniels has called this one a must-win, and it's hard to argue. Washington sits three games behind the Giants in the division. A win cuts that to two with eight games left and gives the Commanders the head-to-head tiebreaker. A loss on a short week, on the road, with this many injuries, and the NFC East race is effectively over by mid-November.
The Rematch of a 27-27 Tie
These teams already played once, in Week 5 in Washington, and nobody won. The Commanders led late, the Giants scored 14 unanswered points over the final 11 minutes of regulation, and Washington ran out of time in overtime while sitting in field-goal range.
Daniels was the best player on the field that day: 199 passing yards and 103 rushing yards with two rushing touchdowns. He was also sacked five times. Mobile quarterbacks have given the Giants' defense trouble all year, and Washington will lean on that again.
How Washington Got Here
It's been a rough stretch. Washington lost its last two by one score each, 23-17 to the 49ers and 20-13 to the Rams last Sunday. The Commanders still haven't won on the road this season.
The bright spot is Daniels himself. After missing time early in the year, he has seven passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and zero interceptions. He threw for 274 yards and a score against the Rams. His left elbow is on the injury report, but he was a full participant all week.
The problems are around him:
- Third down: Washington converts just 31% of the time, worst in the league.
- Offense: Bottom 12 in both EPA per play and success rate.
- Defense: 19th in EPA per play, with the run defense near the bottom of the league in EPA per rush allowed.
Coach Dan Quinn's defensive staff has been reshuffled. Coordinator Daronte Jones now has Steve Wilks alongside him, and both safety Nick Cross and cornerback Trey Amos, who missed the first meeting, are available this time.
Projected Starting Lineup
Offense
| Pos | Projected starter | Note |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Jayden Daniels | Left elbow; full practice |
| RB | Rachaad White | Austin Ekeler behind him |
| WR | Antonio Williams | Rookie out of Clemson |
| WR | Treylon Burks | Foot; questionable, GM Adam Peters says he "should play" |
| WR | Stefon Diggs | Slot |
| TE | Chig Okonkwo | Hip; full practice Tuesday |
| LT | Brandon Coleman | |
| LG | Chris Paul | |
| C | Nick Allegretti | Starts if Lucas Patrick (concussion) can't go |
| RG | Sam Cosmi | |
| RT | Josh Conerly Jr. |
Defense
| Pos | Projected starter | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Charles Omenihu | |
| NT | Tim Settle | Shy Tuttle (shoulder, full Tuesday) rotates |
| DE | Jer'Zhan Newton | |
| OLB | K'Lavon Chaisson | |
| ILB | Frankie Luvu | |
| ILB | Sonny Styles | Rookie |
| OLB | Odafe Oweh | |
| CB | Rasul Douglas | Trey Amos rotates |
| CB | Amik Robertson | Ankle; full practice |
| NB | Mike Sainristil | |
| S | Jeremy Reaves | |
| S | Nick Cross |
Specialists: K Drew Stevens, P Tress Way, LS Tyler Ott. Rachaad White handles kickoffs and Luke McCaffrey returns punts.
Injury Report
Out for Thursday (injured reserve)
- WR Terry McLaurin: torn patellar tendon, out for the season
- WR Dyami Brown
- DT Daron Payne
- DT Javon Kinlaw
Game designations
- C Lucas Patrick (concussion): Doubtful. Did not practice Monday or Tuesday.
- WR Treylon Burks (foot): Questionable. He missed the Rams game, went from DNP Monday to limited Tuesday, and is expected to play.
- CB Fabian Moreau: Questionable
- TE Colson Yankoff (knee): Did not practice Monday or Tuesday
Practicing in full: QB Jayden Daniels (left elbow), TE Chig Okonkwo (hip), DT Shy Tuttle (shoulder), TE John Bates (shoulder), C Matt Gulbin (knee), CB Amik Robertson (ankle)
Thursday-game practice reports are estimates. Check for inactives about 90 minutes before kickoff.
Keys for Washington
1. Let Daniels be Daniels. He ran for 103 yards in the first meeting, and the Giants have struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks all year. Designed runs and scrambles are Washington's best answer to a Giants defense that ranks 5th in total yards allowed.
2. Survive the rush. The Giants' front includes rookie linebacker Arvell Reese, who had 12 tackles and three sacks at Philadelphia last week. Washington allowed five sacks in Week 5 and could start a backup at center. Quick throws to Diggs and Okonkwo matter.
3. Win on third down. Washington converts 31% of its third downs. It doesn't have to be great here, just better.
4. Hold the run without Payne and Kinlaw. Giants running back Cam Skattebo is back from a hamstring injury, and the Giants need about 120 rushing yards to control the game. The middle of Washington's line is thin.
5. Attack the Giants' interior line. The Giants have allowed 27 sacks, tied for 27th in the league, and their interior has been the weak spot. Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson and Frankie Luvu need to get home.
The Other Sideline
The Giants are 5-2-1 in John Harbaugh's first season and coming off a 19-11 win at Philadelphia, their first in Philly since 2013. J.J. McCarthy has started the last two games after Jaxson Dart's knee injury. McCarthy is now dealing with a hip injury of his own but practiced fully and is expected to play, with Jameis Winston behind him. Malik Nabers was the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. Read the Giants' side of this matchup on their team page.
Bottom Line
The books have this close to a pick'em because it is one. The Giants are healthier, better on defense and at home. Washington has the best player in the game at quarterback and nothing to lose. Win, and the Commanders hold the tiebreaker and are two games back with eight to play. Lose, and the conversation moves to next year.
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