Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart on what he did during the bye week
Jaxson Dart talks about watching Bills-Bengals during the Giants’ Week 14 bye week and taking things from QBs Josh Allen and Joe Burrow.
EAST RUTHERFORD – Three games into his interim tenure, three losses with Mike Kafka in command following the Nov. 10 firing of Brian Daboll, the New York Giants return from their bye week on a seven-game losing streak heading into Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders.
The Giants (2-11) have lost four games in which they led by double digits in the fourth quarter, but their “Monday Night Football” showing against the Patriots before the bye week was pretty much over by halftime thanks to shoddy play from the special teams units in all facets.
It was the first game as defensive coordinator for Charlie Bullen, who replaced former DC Shane Bowen, who was fired by Kafka following the Giants’ overtime loss to the Lions in Detroit. Kafka made another change to his staff last week by firing assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox, who had been with the Giants since Daboll’s first season in 2022.
The Giants are seeking to snap a seven-game losing streak, while the Commanders (3-10) have lost eight games in a row, the longest such skid in the league currently.
Keep checking back throughout the day for live updates and analysis from Giants-Commanders:
The Giants had first and goal from the 1. Zero points. Jaxson Dart was taken off the field for two plays, brought inside the medical tent after losing one yard on a designed run. Jameis Winston came on the field for two snaps, Dart cleared and came back on the field, but fired incomplete on fourth down. Turnover on downs.
That’s unacceptable from center John Michael Schmitz. Giants driving, he gets a 15-yard penalty for yapping after the play following a Tyrone Tracy 5-yard run. Brutal.
Then Dart put another one right in Slayton’s hands in the end zone. Would’ve been a difficult catch, but man, gotta have that for a touchdown. The Giants called a timeout in the closing seconds of the third quarter. Thought they might be looking to keep the wind, but then time ran out after another Tracy run, so we switched sides and Younghoe Koo attempted another long field goal in this direction.
That one, a 51-yarder, had no chance from Koo, and Schmitz. Personal foul sapped all Giants’ momentum.
On the next series, Washington hit a 51-yard pass play for a touchdown, Mariota to McLaurin.
Pretty throw from Jaxson Dart and a hell of a catch by Tyrone Tracy, falling down in the side of the end zone for the touchdown. 18 yards. Giants will try the PAT. Younghoe Koo is true and Giants within 22-14. Good response to start the 2nd half.
Tracy has scored both Giants’ touchdowns, and now it’ll be interesting to see if they gain any momentum from a quick strike with 11:48 left to go in the third quarter.
What has happened to the Giants’ special teams coverage teams?
Giants special teams has become a disaster the last two games. Punt return for a touchdown for Washington. Disaster.
The Giants liked Jaylin Lane in the draft, by the way. He just burned them for a 63-yard touchdown on the punt return. Again, disaster for coverage teams.
Giants offensive line not playing particularly well in pass pro today, Von Miller just got home and sacked Jaxson Dart. Rough series for Jermaine Eluemunor who was called for a false start.
The Giants punted the ball away and Lane weaved through the kick coverage team.
Then Jaxson Dart threw his fourth interception of the season as the Giants tried to advance in the waning moments. Mikey Sainristil picked him off and set up Jake Moody’s field goal to push Washington’s lead to 22-7.
The Giants’ defense had forced a three-and-out with 1:40 remaining in the half, trailing 13-7 and looking to get closer. Somehow, they now trail 22-7.
Great run by Tyrone Tracy for the TD. Stopped at least twice on the play, fights through contact and scores to get Giants on the board with a 12-yard jaunt.
A Bronx cheer for Younghoe Koo after he hits the PAT. Giants within 13-7 with 3:37 left in the 1st half.
Jaxson Dart scramble for 29 yards opened everything up and brought some juice to what had been a dead offense to that point.
Giants defense awakens a bit just outside the red zone with pressure on Mariota and decent coverage on the back end, forcing a FG attempt. Moody nails a 39 yarder and Washington extends its lead to 13-0. Time for Kafka to wake up the offense. Stale so far, still on the bye.
Washington LT Laremy Tunsil is out of the game and on the sideline. Was in the medical tent. He has a shoulder injury and his return is questionable.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt runs essentially untouched into the end zone 16 yards for a Washington touchdown after a MarcusMariota fake froze the entire Giants defense. This is a pathetic showing so far from the home team minus Abdul Carter. 10-0 Commanders.
Mike Kafka lack of aggression on the opening offensive series set a tone here as well. That 52-yard field goal attempt was a waste of time.
Abdul Carter continues his strong play early, registering the first strip sack of his NFL career when he slapped the ball away from Marcus Mariota. The 7-yard loss knocked Washington out of field goal range and forced a punt.
Consider Carter did not play in the first quarter in the Giants’ last game in New England for disciplinary reasons, he’s making up for lost time. Perhaps the rookie is turning a corner as defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen suggested this week.
Poor decision by the Giants there to go for a 52-yard field goal, especially in that direction. The offense faced a fourth and 6 from the Washington 33, there is no reason why Kafka should not have been aggressive and go for it. Younghoe Koo wasn’t even close on the attempt, and in that direction, kickers traditionally struggle here at MetLife.
Abdul Carter was in the starting lineup and made an impact early with a tackle for loss on a Jeremy McDaniels run on the Commanders’ first play from scrimmage. He later drew a holding penalty on Washington right tackle Josh Conerly Jr., but the Giants declined the infraction after Deebo Samuel dropped a Marcus Mariota pass over the middle.
The Commanders settled for a Jake Moody 46-yard field goal with 9:22 left in the first quarter to take the lead.
The Giants will be without kick returner Gunner Olszewski, who remains in concussion protocol. Veteran Cam Johnston, signed to the practice squad this week, will handle the punting duties with Jamie Gillan (knee) inactive.
Giants inactives
- Russell Wilson (emergency 3rd QB)
- WR/KR/PR Gunner Olszewski
- OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
- WR Ryan Miller
- P Jamie Gillan
- OL James Hudson
- DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Commanders inactives
- QB Jayden Daniels
- CB Jonathan Jones
- RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- T Trent Scott
- T George Fant
- DE Drake Jackson
What channel is Giants vs Commanders game on?
- TV Channel: FOX
- Livestream: Fubo
Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma will call the game at MetLife Stadium, with Megan Olivi reporting from the sidelines.
Stream Giants vs Commanders live on Fubo (free trial)
Giants vs Commanders time today
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 14
- Start time: 1 p.m.
Giants vs Commanders prediction by Art Stapleton
The pick: Giants 28, Commanders 24
Here’s why: The Commanders have fallen off a cliff this season after being one game away from the Super Bowl last year. QB Jayden Daniels is the symbol of everything that went right for Washington a year ago, and how nothing has gone right a year later. He won’t play Sunday.
Jaxson Dart has heard plenty about the need to protect himself and change the way he plays. He could use a big game in which he endures minimal physical punishment in order to put that narrative to bed.
The Commanders have lost eight games in a row, while the Giants have not experienced victory since their prime time upset of the Eagles back in October.
These are two struggling teams who can’t get out of their own way at times. Maybe being at home – likely in a half-empty building – makes the difference for the Giants.
