The Washington Commanders and New York Giants meet in Week 11 in a rematch from just four weeks ago. In Week 7, the undermanned Giants shocked the Commanders 14-7.
Tyrod Taylor started under center for New York that day and gave the Giants their best passing day of the season to that point. Since then, Taylor has landed on IR, Daniel Jones returned to action, injured his knee and is now lost for the season.
Now, undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito makes his second career start for the Giants under center.
In the first game between these teams, Washington quarterback Sam Howell struggled. Since that game, Howell has passed for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns in the last three games.
To find out what’s going on with the Giants, we spoke to Giants Wire managing editor Dan Benton to preview the G-Men ahead of Sunday’s rematch.
Are the Giants taking?
Giants Wire: It may seem like the Giants are tanking, but that’s absolutely not the mentality inside the building. People are coaching for jobs and playing for jobs, so there’s still an immense amount of pressure to win. John Mara (and even Steve Tisch) would lose their minds and kick over some trash cans if they thought this team was intentionally tanking. Needless to say, they’re not packing it in — just losing ugly unintentionally. It’s rather sad, actually.
What kind of chance does Tommy DeVito have of winning a couple of games?
Giants Wire: If we’re being honest, none. That’s not a knock on Tommy DeVito; it’s just the reality of the situation. He’s an undrafted rookie thrust into the starting role on a team that already couldn’t function offensively and has one of the worst lines in recent memory. He took his first reps with the first team last week and has just six total practices with the starters under his belt. It’s unfortunate for him because he’s a good kid who Giants fans would like to see do well, but he’s essentially been thrown to the wolves.
Is Saquon Barkley going to be 100% on Sunday?
Giants Wire: Saquon Barkley is not fully healthy and won’t be again this season. He reaggravated his high ankle sprain last Sunday in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys and has been limited in practice this week. He’ll play against the Commanders, but it will come on a bum ankle that, for his sake, we all hope doesn’t get worse. The Giants desperately need him over the final stretch of the season or just resort to punting the ball on first down.
How is the Giants defense playing (outside of last week, of course)?
Giants Wire: It has been wildly inconsistent at best. They went through a stretch where they appeared dominant and then forgot how to play last week in Dallas. Wink Martindale is beginning to come under fire, and rumors are already swirling that he’ll be the scapegoat for another failed Giants season. It’s actually rather comical and and “of course…the Giants” kind of thing because when you think about their problems, defense isn’t near the top of the list. It certainly hasn’t been good, but the offense and special teams have been far, far worse.
Are fans upset with Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen, or do most understand the team’s current situation?
Giants Wire: Giants fans should be upset with Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, but they’re fighting that instinct because of the relentless turnover we’ve seen in recent years (really over the past decade). But back here in reality, many of Schoen’s personnel decisions and draft picks haven’t panned out, and Daboll is on the verge of losing his team. There’s infighting, sideline spats, negative engagements with fans and members of the media, and even Daboll admits that team ownership is “not happy.” Maybe expectations were set too high for the pair after last season’s surprising run, but it’s been pretty ugly here in 2023. Most want to blame that on Daniel Jones, but who signed him to a long-term deal? Can’t criticize DJ without also criticizing Schoen and Daboll for willingly hitching their wagon to him.
Prediction and why
Giants Wire: It’s going to be another ugly Giants loss. They can’t move the ball offensively, can’t stop the run, are riddled with injury and Sam Howell seems to be coming into his own. Commanders 26, Giants 10.
