The Washington Commanders picked up their first win of the 2024 season Sunday, defeating the New York Giants 21-18 on a last-second field goal.
New kicker Austin Seibert, signed last week, drilled a 30-yard field goal as time expired to give head coach Dan Quinn his first win in the burgundy and gold. Seibert made all seven of his field-goal attempts.
The Commanders win despite living in the red zone but never scoring a touchdown. Penalties were an issue for Washington. The Commanders were called for five false starts in the red zone, forcing them to kick field goals.
It began on the first possession of the game. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Commanders inside the five-yard line when fellow rookie, tight end Ben Sinnott was called for a false start on fourth-and-1, leading Quinn to take the three points.
It would be a trend that continued throughout the day.
While Washington’s new kicker scored all 21 points, New York didn’t have a kicker. Graham Gano would injure his hamstring on the game’s first play, chasing Commanders running back Austin Ekeler on the opening kick return. Gano’s absence cost the Giants, who would be forced to go for two-point conversions and could not kick a field goal on their final drive.
The Giants were driving late when quarterback Daniel Jones found rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers open on the sideline. Nabers dropped the ball on fourth-and-4, giving the ball back to the Commanders.
Daniels proceeded to drive Washington down the field, thanks in part to a big completion to wide receiver Noah Brown, putting the Commanders in position for the game-winning field goal.
Daniels completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards. He also rushed for 44 yards on 10 attempts. Washington running back Brian Robinson Jr. was the star of the day for the Commanders, though, rushing for 133 yards on 17 attempts.
Nabers was excellent for the Giants outside of the one play, catching 10 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Washington committed 10 penalties for 69 yards, but many were costly red-zone errors.
The Commanders go back on the road in Week 3 with a trip to Cincinnati for Monday Night Football.