Landover, Md.— Commanders QB Jayden Daniels briefly left the game after getting the wind knocked out of him, but returned with no signs of slowing down. He consistently moved the Washington Commanders offense up the field, though they struggled to score touchdowns. Still, Daniels ensured the team kept adding points.
In a clutch performance, Daniels secured his first NFL win, leading the Commanders to a 21-18 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday, largely thanks to new kicker Austin Seibert, who set a franchise record with seven field goals.
“I feel blessed,” Daniels said. “It wasn’t the prettiest game, but a win is a win.”
Daniels orchestrated a key 65-yard drive late in the game, pushing the ball into the red zone and setting up Seibert’s game-winning 30-yard field goal as time expired. Seibert, who went 7-for-7, replaced Cade York after York missed two kicks in the season opener.
“It’s a great way to introduce myself to the team by helping win a game,” said Seibert, who hit field goals from 27, 45, 26, 27, 29, and 30 yards. “I just went out there and did my job.”
Washington (1-1) fought back to win what was an ugly game after the Giants lost kicker Graham Gano to an injury on the opening kickoff. Without Gano, the G-Men (0-2) was forced to attempt multiple fourth-down conversions, and punter Jamie Gillan even missed an extra point early on.
Gano later said his injury wasn’t related to the groin issue that had him on the injury report but mentioned his hamstring “doesn’t feel good.”
Daniels completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards and added 44 rushing yards in just his second NFL start. He outdueled former LSU teammate Malik Nabers, a fellow top-10 draft pick, who caught 10 passes for 127 yards and his first career touchdown.
“He did his thing, which I kind of expected,” Daniels said after exchanging jerseys with Nabers. “He got my first-win jersey, and I got his first 100-yard game jersey. That’s special for both of us.”
Nabers, who was targeted 18 times by Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, had a solid game but dropped a crucial fourth-down pass late in the game, turning the ball over on downs.
“I’m disappointed,” Nabers said. “No matter how well I played, that last play came down to me, and I feel like I let the veterans down.”
Despite going 0-for-6 in the red zone, the Commanders pulled off the win, thanks to their defense and multiple false starts by New York that stalled their drives.
“We can’t keep having penalties like that,” said Commanders left guard Nick Allegretti. “With a new team, those mistakes will happen, but we’ve got to cut them down.”
Washington running back Brian Robinson Jr. had a career day, rushing 17 times for 133 yards, including two of his longest runs as a pro: 32 and 40 yards.
Up Next:
Giants: Travel to Cleveland next Sunday.
Commanders: Face Cincinnati on Monday, Sept. 23.
