The New York Giants and Washington Commanders entered Sunday’s Week 13 matchup in contention in the NFC as the sixth and seventh seeds respectively.
The game was billed as a typical NFC East classic matchup that would come down to the wire. In fact, it came down to overtime.
And it still went unsettled. The game ended in a 20-20 tie when Graham Gano’s last-second 58-yard field goal attempt in overtime fell short.
Here are some winners, losers and in-betweens from Sunday’s game.
Winners
Azeez Ojulari: The outside linebacker and last year’s sack leader showed how sorely he was missed this year by putting on a show. Ojulari had two QB hits, including a sack, with a forced fumble and a recovery. He was in Taylor Heinicke’s face all afternoon.
Isaiah Hodgins: The free agent wideout continues to see his role in the offense grow with five receptions for 44 yards and a score, and he looked smooth doing it.
Dexter Lawrence: Lawrence had another monster game with nine total tackles including two QB hits and a sack. The Commanders had a difficult time containing the big guy and his All-Pro case is getting stronger.
Others: Julian Love, Daniel Jones
Losers
Jon Feliciano: His taunting penalty late in the fourth quarter put the Giants out of field goal range and kept the game at 20-13, instead of a a potential 23-13 Giants’ lead. That gave the Commanders a chance to drive the ball in the final two minutes of regulation to tie the game at 20.
The offense: After scoring 20 unanswered points on four straight possessions, the offense hit a wall late in the third quarter. They punted on four straight possessions before the end of regulation and then twice more in overtime. They held the ball for only 28:49 to Washington’s 41:11.
Others: Mike Kafka, Nick Gates
Mixed reviews
Darius Slayton: Had a fine statistical day (six receptions, 90 yards) and a huge catch in the first half but it was his drop deep down the middle of the field with 1:45 remaining that could have put the Giants in field goal range that is being talked about.
The running game: Heading into this game, the Giants were 6-1 when they rushed for over 100 yards and 1-3 when they didn’t. They gained 134 yards on the ground in this game but weren’t very consistent with it, especially when they needed to be later in the game.
The cornerbacks: The Giants showed how much they miss their No. 1 corner, Adoree’ Jackson, in this game. Although the group of Fabian Moreau, Nick McCloud and Zyon Gilbert played well at times, they were exposed by Washington’s Terry McLaurin all day.
Others: Andrew Thomas, Richie James Jr., Saquon Barkley
