Commanders Vs Giants
There is always a level of rivalry when the Washington Commanders and New York Giants get together, but 2023 took the intensity of those frays to a different level. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels leading the Commanders to rise up into contention in the NFC East, while the Giants fell flat after great momentum last year.
Commanders Vs Giants A New Beginning
Both sides were at the proverbial crossroads in 2023. Daniels helped make the Commanders with a new offense a team that could challenge the best teams in the division. Daniels was a star and MVP candidate on the strength of his ability to make plays with both his arm and legs. His playmaking and clutch gene was all the Commanders needed.
The Giants, who started out playing fairly well, also struggled all year on the other side of the ball. At quarterback, Daniel Jones was inconsistent and made egregious mistakes that burned the team dearly. What had been a strength of the Giants turned into a liability, with the Giants defense breaking at times and opposing offenses twisting the knife where they knew to hit.
Games
The two split in their regular season matchups, but the Commanders swept. Perhaps the most telling last game a Commanders win 27-22. Daniels shone bright and the Giants were bombed away by the Commanders defense.
The initial matchup was a 31-24 Commanders victory, and it proved to be a shootout, highlighting offensive skill from each club. Touchdowns were exchanged between Daniels and Jones, and it became a nail biter of a game. In the 4th quarter, the Commanders defense was able to make the plays to win the game.
Players and Moments
Jayden Daniels: The command, hunter orange, rookie QB = BIG games, and the Commanders now the NFC East team to beat. They had a tough time dealing with his ability to do that with both his arm and legs. The Commanders resurgence came thanks to his breakout season.
Daniel Jones: The Giants were looking for consistency all year, and they never really found it from Daniel Jones. He flash those moments but his inconsistency killed the team. He was unable to shield the ball and deliver accurate passes when pressured, and cost the Giants a few wins.
Saquon Barkley: Barkely was still a monster running the ball for the Giants, but the offense was so inept he was held in check can complex task. He was always able to get yards after contact and shook off tackles, but did not benefit from a decent passing game.
Terry McLaurin The Commanders WR always a big-play option who commanded targets from Daniels all season. He converted contested catches and won vertically for the Commanders offense.
The Commanders and Giants rivalry is here to stay. These two teams are trying to build something sustainable so they will be must-watch NFL. It is the best of the NFL in terms of intensity, physicality and less predictability in these games.
