Giants Country

NY Giants at Washington Commanders: Live Updates, Score, Highlights

Follow along as we give you live updates on plays, scoring, injuries, stats, and more from the NY Giants Week 1 opener against the Washington Commanders.
Patricia Traina|
Sep 7, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium.
Sep 7, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium. | Peter Casey-Imagn Images

In this story:

New York Giants

Welcome to Week 1 of the New York Giants’ 2025 regular season!

The Giants and Washington Commanders are set to go head-to-head at Northwest Stadium in an early yet key divisional matchup in which these games also offer a hidden half-game advantage in terms of division play, an advantage that factors into any tiebreakers that need to be decided at the end of the season.  

The Giants, who are coming off a 3-0 preseason in which the offense scored 30+ points in each game, have already generated quite a bit of buzz among the fan base, but with word coming down that there is a possibility the team could have rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart involved in some plays, that excitement seems to have been picked up a notch or two.

From a bigger picture perspective, it’s all about a fast start for a Giants team that has opened its last two seasons 0-2 and which has scored just six points in those two regular-season openers (three of which came in the first half of one of the games). 

The Giants are looking to rebound from a franchise-worst 3-14 mark last season and get back into the postseason discussion. 

For those who have their doubts, the good news is that since 1990 – a streak of 35 consecutive seasons – at least four teams (Broncos, Chargers, Vikings, and Washington) have qualified for the playoffs that were not in the postseason the year before.  

In 26 of the past 29 seasons (1996-24), at least one team has made the playoffs the season after finishing in last or tied for last place (Chargers, Vikings, and Commanders).  

And in six consecutive seasons (2019-24) and in 21 of the past 23 seasons (2002-24), a team that chose in the top five of the NFL Draft has qualified for the postseason, Washington and the Chargers being the two most recent to do so.  

Follow along as we post live updates on key plays, injuries, stats, and more throughout the game. Newest posts will be on top.

Final Thoughts

With the 21-6 loss, the Giants have now been outscored 89-12 in their last three regular-season openers and have not scored a touchdown in any of those three games. Terrible.

And this game was within reach. If only they could have run the ball a bit more. If only the offensive line were better. If only the missed tackles didn't add up. If only the punter did a better job pinning the Commanders deep. If only ...

Fourth Quarter

And that's a wrap. WAS 21, NYG 6.

TWO MINUTE WARNING

2:35: Huge 42-yard run by Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Because why not?

2:43: And on that incompletion in which the timing was so far off it wasn't funny, the Giants will drop their third straight regular-season opener.

3:21: Nice throw by Wilson in hitting Daniel Bellinger for 14 yards. Why don't they throw to him more? I'll never know.  

3:59: Giants get a big break here as Wilson's interception on fourth down is nullified thanks to a hit to the head by Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner.

5:56: Giants convert on third and long as Wilson finds Robinson for 20 yards.

6:01: Hey a pre-snap penalty. Eluemunor gets called for illegal formation.

7:16: Samuel's 19-yard touchdown run should do it for this week, as the Giants offense has yet to show any sort of pulse.  

8:06: So there were what, four missed tackles on that Ekeler reception that went for 15 yards?

8:55: Giants call zone coverage, and Daniels hits Deebo Samuel for 19 yards as Washington is now in field goal range.

12:14: Jamie Gillan had a chance to pin Washington deep, but instead, he put the ball into the end zone. This is the kind of inconsistency with him that drives a person mad.

13:45: Wilson records the longest run of the day for the Giants, a 15-yarder up the gut.

15:00: Outstanding play by cornerback Dru Phillips to stop Deebo Samuel short of the first down.

Third Quarter

Sep 7, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Sep 7, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

END OF THE QUARTER

1:46: Giants finally get some points as Graham Gano hits a 55-yard field goal to make it a one-score game. WAS 14, NYG 6

3:56: Wilson takes another shot, but he connects with Nabers for 21 yards.

OBSERVATION: One thing I'm noticing. The Giants don't have Wilson working much from the shotgun in passing situations. When he's been in the shotgun, he's handed off. Maybe put him in the shotgun and see if that doesn't slow down the Commanders' rush?

8:42: Theo Johnson drops a short pass on third down. That hurt. What also hurt is that right tackle JermaineEluemuor was slow to get up. If he can't finish up, Marcus Mbow is up next.

9:28: Abdul Carter, who has been contributing to the punt team. He gets a hand on Tress Way's punt, which travels 31 yards. Can the Giants finally get their offense going?

9:33: Good challenge here by Giants head coach Brian Daboll on Daniels' pass to Ertz. That ball clearly hit the ground

  • INJURY UPDATE: Some encouraging injury news for the Giants and ILB Micah McFadden.

13:10: This offensive line has not been solid today. Wilson gets sacked for the second time today, this one for -2. Wilson has been under a lot of pressure today.

Haltime

Giants have 79 total yards on offense. Sad. And all that red zone work they did in the summer? That's yet to show up.

Some other stats: Washington is averaging 6.3 yards on the ground, while the Giants are averaging 2.9 yards (the Giants are desperately missing Andrew Thomas).

Giants have also had three rushing attempts go for -4 yards. Not good. In the passing game, the Giants are averaging 3.1 yards per attempt versus 6.3 yards per attempt by Washington.

And the Giants are zero for one in the red zone, while Washington is two of three.

Another year, another slow start for the Giants, particularly on offense. For the third straight season, they were dominated in the first half; the Giants only scored three points in the first 30 minutes of the game. New York has now been outscored 44-6 in the first half of their last three regular-season openers.

Second Quarter

Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Giants
Sep 7, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium. | Peter Casey-Imagn Images

END OF QUARTER

  • INJURY WATCH: Brian Burns limps off the field after tackling Austin Ekeler with 32 seconds left. He had his ankles taped on the sideline. We'll see if he comes back into the game in the second half.

TWO MINUTE WARNING

2:52: Lovely. The Commanders get home with four rushers against five offensive linemen as Daron Payne drops Wilson. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Giants needed to score on that drive.

6:19:  Washington increases its lead after Jacory Croskey-Merritt checks into the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown. Washington has now scored on two red zone drives.  WAS 14, NYG 3

8:51: There's Burns again with his second sack of the drive, this one for -4 yards.

11:05: Burns gets his first sack of the season on Daniels for a -6 yard loss.

  • INJURY UPDATE: Giants say LB Micah McFadden (leg/foot) has been ruled out.

Gano handled this second kickoff. Wonder if the Giants are trying to take some of the workload off their veteran kicker.

14:00: So much for all that red zone work the Giants did this summer. Rather than go for it on fourth down, the Giants send Graham Gano out there to convert on a 21-yard field goal. WAS 7, NYG 3

14:54: A little gadget play there as Wilson tried to connect with Marcus Mbow, who reported as eligible.

15:00: Big penalty there by Washington, who was called for illegal use of hands. Gives the Giants a fresh set of downs.

First Quarter

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Giants.
Sep 7, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium. | Peter Casey-Imagn Images

END OF QUARTER

1:54: Commanders Marshon Lattimore flagged for unnecessary roughness after slamming Wan'Dale Robinson to the ground. Giants are now in the deep red zone.

3:20: Skattebo gets a pass target as a reward, and true to form as a human bowling ball, he knocks down a couple of defenders to pick up six yards.

4:04: Wilson hits Malik Nabers for a big 25-yard pass as Cam Skattebo, in his first snap, pops a linebacker.

7:03: And no sooner does McFadden leave the game than the Commanders go after Darius Muasau. Jayden Daniels hits Zach Ertz for a 7-yard touchdown as the Commanders take the lead. WAS 7, NYG 0

INJURY UPDATE: McFadden's right leg bent awkwardly under him, and he's in an aircast as he's carted off. Not what you want to see. Darius Muasau is in for him.

8:09: Giants inside linebacker Micah McFadden is down after making the tackle on Austin Ekeler.

Abdul Carter comes in for Kayvon Thibodeaux on this second series. He's lined up on the outside.

11:13: Interesting personnel strategy. Brian Burns and Abdul Carter were both on the punt coverage team on that Gillan punt.

11:48: Giants go 3-and-out as on 3rd-and-11, Wilson throws a short pass to Wan'Dale Robinson in the flat that comes up short.

12:31: Giants' field yet another starting offensive line combination for Week 1. They haven't had the same starting O-Line in back-to-back years since 2009-10.

12:47: Giants Abdul Carter's first snap comes inide the the tackles. I thought that mi9ght be the case, but I'm still hoping they play him more outside.

15:00: Giants win the coin toss and defer. Jamie Gillan and not Graham Gano, kicks off.

Pregame

INACTIVE LIST/LINEUP REACTIONS: Jaxson Dart is officially QB2 for this game. This was always the way it was trending this week, and even before, dating back to the summer. The question now becomes whether we see Dart in this game. I suspect we will, given how anxious Brian Daboll seems to be in wanting to put the kid out there. 

Meanwhile, I'm mildly disappointed that Darius Alexander, the team's third-round pick, is inactive. Alexander missed all of the spring with an undisclosed ailment, and that set him back. He never really recovered from that setback in terms of getting caught up. 

Still, it's rather disappointing to see a premium draft pick be a healthy scratch. Further, this decision now clarifies why the team elevated Elijah Garcia from the practice squad.

GIANTS INACTIVES: OT Andrew Thomas, OL Evan Neal, safety Beau Brade, seventh round draft pick tight end Thomas Fidone II, defensive lineman, third-round pick defensive lineman Darius Alexander and quarterback Jameis Winston (emergency quarterback). Jaxson Dart is officially QB2 for this game.

COMMANDERS INACTIVES: Washington's inactive players include quarterback Josh Johnson, running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., linebacker Ale Kaho, linebacker Kain Medrano, tackle Trent Scott, tackle George Fant and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste.

Some pregame thoughts (and a prediction)…

This wasn’t discussed all that much this preseason, but one of the things the Giants coaches worked with Russell Wilson on is getting the ball out of his hand faster. Wilson, in his quest not to turn the ball over, sometimes hangs onto it a little too long and hence ends up taking sacks.

Last year, per PFF, Wilson was responsible for 22.4% of the pressure he faced–more than any of the Giants quarterbacks who took snaps last year. That’s 32 pressures–far more than Justin Fields or any of the Giants quarterbacks.

I’m curious to see if the Giants have cornerback Paulson Adebo travel with Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin. Adebo didn’t do much traveling with the opponent’s top receiver during his time with the Saints, staying on the left side. 

When asked about it last month, he attributed it more to the scheme than anything else and expressed willingness to travel with the opponent’s receivers if asked. 

James Hudson III will get the start at left tackle today in place of Andrew Thomas. Curious to see if he draws Von Miller or Dorance Armstrong for the majority of the game.

Will we finally see an improved Giants run defense? The return of Dexter Lawrence should help, but what will the rotation look like?

Prediction: Giants 24, Commanders 17

The Giants played the Commanders close last year despite being swept in the season series. Given the upgrades made on defense and at quarterback, there should be no reason why–other than their own doing–that the Giants don’t score at least 24 points in this one.

Cornerback Update

The Athletic reported that the Giants intend to start Cor'Dale Flott at CB2 but will also be working in Deonte Banks on third downs. Curious to see how this arrangement is going to work out since, per PFF, Flott posted a 91.3 coverage grade in man coverage and an 85.3 coverage grade in zone while Banks posted an 88.8 in man and an 53.8 in zone in the preseason.

But as I have said before, the Giants can't bury Banks on the bench, not with a decion needing to be made on his fifth-year option after this season (which as of right now I would guess they'll decline.)

Exhale Giants fans! Dexter Lawrence's wife has not yet gone into labor.

Here are a few other Giants-related notes of interest, courtesy of NFL Research.  

Outside linebacker Brian Burns will begin a quest to become the sixth player since 2000 with at least 7.5 sacks in each of his first seven career seasons. He would join Jared Allen, Aaron Donald, Ryan Kerrigan, Yannick Ngakoue, and DeMarcus Ware if he accomplished that.

Receiver Malik Nabers needs 88 receptions to surpass Justin Jefferson (196), Amon-Ra St. Brown (196), and Michael Thomas (196) for the most receptions by a player in his first two seasons in NFL history. Nabers had 109 receptions as a rookie in 2024. 

Nabers can also become the fifth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 2,500 receiving yards in his first two seasons, joining Justin Jefferson (3,016), Odell Beckham Jr. (2,755), Randy Moss (2,726), and Ja’Marr Chase (2,501). Nabers had 1,204 receiving yards as a rookie in 2024.

Nabers needs 11 games with at least five receptions to tie Michael Thomas (25) for the most such games by a player in his first two seasons in NFL history. Nabers has 14 career games with at least five receptions.

Nabers also needs 11 games with at least 50 receiving yards to become the third player ever with 25 such games in his first two seasons, joining Justin Jefferson (26) and Michael Thomas (26). Nabers has 14 career games with at least 50 receiving yards.

Quarterback Russell Wilson needs 167 rushing yards to surpass Cam Newton (5,628) for the third-most career rushing yards ever by a quarterback. Wilson has 5,462 rushing yards entering 2025.  

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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