Russell Wilson’s difficult Giants debut ends in 21-6 loss to Commanders
Wilson is 17-for-37 for 168 yards in his first regular-season game with New York as Giants offense struggles and run defense is repeatedly beaten
LANDOVER, Md. — Russell Wilson’s first regular-season game with the New York Giants ended in a sobering 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sept. 7, exposing familiar flaws on both sides of the ball less than a week into the NFL season.
Wilson completed 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards and threw an interception as the Giants managed only two field goals from kicker Graham Gano. The offense, which ranked 31st in scoring last season and returned 10 of 11 starters, repeatedly failed to finish drives and never reached the end zone, producing a halftime deficit of 14-3 that the team could not overcome.
The offensive line again struggled without left tackle Andrew Thomas, who was inactive while recovering from a Lisfranc foot injury sustained last October. Replacement James Hudson was beaten in pass protection and was flagged for a crucial holding penalty, and other linemen were overwhelmed at times, leaving Wilson with limited time to get plays developed.
A symbolic moment came early in the second quarter when the Giants faced first-and-goal at the Washington 8 and ran seven plays — six passes — without scoring a touchdown. Television footage showed head coach Brian Daboll and wide receiver Malik Nabers engaged in a heated exchange as the Giants settled for a 21-yard field goal.
Newcomer Jayden Daniels, entering his second NFL season, produced a balanced attack for the Commanders. Daniels finished with 233 passing yards and a touchdown, finding tight end Zach Ertz for a score, and added 71 rushing yards as part of a ground game that averaged nearly 8 yards per carry. Washington converted big chunks on the ground and neutralized much of New York’s planned pass rush despite being sacked three times.
The Giants benefited from a late first-half mistake by Daniels when he was penalized for intentional grounding at the 4-yard line with no timeouts, triggering a 10-second runoff that ended the half and prevented a potential chip-shot field-goal attempt. That break did little to change the game’s trajectory.
New York’s lone realistic comeback opportunity unraveled in the fourth quarter. Trailing 14-6, the Giants converted a first down on a possession but went three-and-out when running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. was knocked down after a checkdown on third-and-4. The Commanders then mounted a nine-play, 95-yard drive capped by Deebo Samuel’s 19-yard touchdown run that sealed the game.
Wilson’s interception with 3:46 remaining briefly appeared to end any chance of a late rally, but a roughing-the-passer penalty on veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner — a former Seattle teammate of Wilson’s — erased the turnover and gave New York another opportunity. The offense failed to capitalize.
Defensive coordinator calls and schematic intentions were obscured by the Commanders’ ground success, and drops by New York defenders at times prevented tighter margins in the passing game. Washington’s final line included the rushing production that consistently forced the Giants away from planned pressures.
The loss leaves the Giants 0-1 and continues a pattern of slow starts; New York is 0-1 in eight of the last nine seasons and entered the game with the memory of a 3-14 finish last year. The club’s offseason move to acquire Wilson in hopes of revitalizing a stagnant scoring attack did not produce the desired turnaround in the opener.
The Commanders improved to 1-0. The Giants will return to MetLife Stadium to prepare for their next game, where coaches and personnel leaders will have a short week to evaluate protection, play-calling in the red zone and the run defense that was repeatedly exploited in Landover.
