“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.
NY Giants 31, Washington Commanders 19 – Week 11, Nov. 19, 2023
In what was one of the most frustrating games of the 2023 season, the Commanders were at home and yet lost to the New York Giants 31-19 at the then-FedEx Field.
The Giants came into the game a woeful 2-8, while Washington was 4-6, having just lost a heartbreaker the previous week in Seattle (29-26). How bad were the Giants? The oddsmakers had the Commanders a 9-point favorite!
In a game you could not have scripted more bizarrely, the Commanders lost the turnover margin 6-0. The Commanders defense sacked the Giants’ backup quarterback Tommy DeVito nine times, yet they still lost the game.
Adding to the strangeness, when DeVito did not have to pick himself off of the FedEx turf on his nine times sacked, he picked apart the Commanders’ defense, completing for 246 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions for a remarkable 137.7 passer rating.
For DeVito, it was feast or famine, no in between. He could be sacked or pick apart the defense. Though Washington had the ball 34:51 to 25:09, DeVito simply didn’t require much time. He completed four passes to Darius Slayton and Saquon Barkley for 82 and 57 yards, respectively.
On the other hand, Washington’s Sam Howell completed 31 of 45 for 256 yards, one touchdown but also three interceptions. Also, being sacked four times, Howell’s passer rating was only 62.8. If this wasn’t enough, Chris Rodriguez, Logan Thomas, and Byron Pringle all had lost fumbles. Adding more salt to the wound, Isaiah Simmons intercepted a Howell pass, returning it 54 yards for a touchdown.
The Commanders never once led in the game, trailing in the first half by as much as 14-3. With 2:20 remaining in the game, Howell connected with Jahan Dotson from 8 yards, bringing the Commanders to within five points at 24-19.
However, when the Commanders regained possession at the last minute, Simmons intercepted Howell, returning it for a touchdown and sealing a 12-point Giants’ win over Washington 31-19.
The Commanders who contributed quarterback sacks toward the huge 9-sack day were: David Mayo (2.0), Jonathan Allen (1.5), KJ Henry (1.5), while Jamin Davis, Daron Payne, Benjamin St-Juste and Casey Toohill all collected one QB sack.