Giants Set an Unwanted Record in Tough Loss to Commanders
In a game that will be remembered for its bizarre stat lines and heartbreak for New York fans, the Giants became the first NFL team to score three touchdowns, allow no touchdowns, and still lose in regulation during their 100th season. This peculiar feat was achieved in a 21-18 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
The last time something similar occurred, NFL fans had to look back to 1989, when the Los Angeles Rams were defeated by the Minnesota Vikings in overtime under comparable circumstances. The Giants' game-changing moments began early and were marred by misfortune. Punter Jamie Gillan missed the first extra point attempt, setting the tone for a night where special teams struggle became a central theme.
Adding to their woes, kicker Graham Gano sustained a right hamstring injury while trying to tackle the Washington Commanders' running back Austin Ekeler during the opening kickoff. It's worth noting that Gano was already listed on the injury report with a right groin injury before the game, raising questions about the Giants' decision not to have a backup kicker on the active roster.
As the game progressed, the Giants' kicking issues continued to snowball. Following Gillan's missed extra point, they opted for two-point conversions after their remaining two touchdowns. Both attempts, unfortunately, ended in failure. This left the Giants with only 18 points from their trio of touchdowns, as they were unable to make up for the missed opportunities.
Despite the Giants' defensive efforts to keep the Commanders' offense out of the end zone, Washington's kicker Austin Seibert played a crucial role in their victory. Seibert successfully converted seven field goals, capitalizing on the Giants’ defensive stops in the red zone. Remarkably, Washington was 0-for-6 in the red zone and 0-for-3 in goal-to-go situations, highlighting their inefficiency close to the goal line.
Yet, the Commanders managed to score on all but one of their drives, the lone exception being their end-of-half kneel down. With the game hanging in the balance, Seibert once again demonstrated his reliability, securing the win with a 30-yard field goal as time expired.
The defeat for the Giants not only underscored their special teams' deficiencies but also highlighted the critical moments where they missed opportunities to put more points on the board. The game's final score of 21-18 brought an end to a contest filled with unusual statistics and dramatic twists.