Four big moments from Washington’s 27-22 win

 Four big moments from Washington’s 27-22 win  

 Updated 

November 3, 2024 at 5:06 p.m. EST

|Published November 3, 2024 at 12:06 p.m. EST

Dante Fowler Jr. hits Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to cause a fumble during the first quarter Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (John Munson/AP)

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The Washington Commanders improved to 7-2 with a 27-22 win over the New York Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Here are four key moments from the victory:

Dante Fowler Jr.’s sack-fumble sets the tone: The Giants marched 63 yards on five running plays to start their second drive, including a season-best 24-yard rush by quarterback Daniel Jones. New York shouldn’t have gone away from its ground attack. On first and 10 from the Washington 29-yard line, Jones dropped back to set up a screen pass and was hit by Commanders linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. The ball popped out of Jones’s right hand and slipped through the arms of Washington defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis for what was initially ruled an incompletion.

The Commanders challenged the play, which was ruled a fumble upon replay review. Washington took over at the New York 31-yard line, where linebacker Bobby Wagner had wisely scooped up the ball after a mad scramble and some confusion about whether the play had been ruled dead. Three plays and a defensive pass interference penalty later, the Commanders took a 7-0 lead on Jayden Daniels’s one-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin.

Dyami Brown’s yards after catch lead to a touchdown: Leading 14-7 with 20 seconds remaining in the first half, the Commanders faced third and 18 from the New York 42-yard line. Daniels completed a pass in the flat to wide receiver Dyami Brown, who was met immediately by cornerback Dru Phillips. As Phillips tried to make the tackle and force what would have been a long field goal attempt by Austin Seibert, Brown stiff-armed the rookie and broke free along the sideline. Brown then avoided defensive backs Adoree’ Jackson and Tyler Nubin as he cut back to the middle of the field to pick up the first down after a 24-yard gain.

It was Brown’s only catch of the game, but it came in a big spot and enabled Washington to take a two-score lead into halftime. After the Commanders used their final timeout with 11 seconds remaining, Daniels found McLaurin in the end zone on the ensuing play for an ­18-yard touchdown. McLaurin beat former Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks, who never looked back to find the ball.

Offensive pass interference penalty negates Giants touchdown: With the Giants trailing 21-7 in the third quarter, Jones appeared to cap New York’s first possession of the second half with a three-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson on fourth down. Much to the dismay of Giants Coach Brian Daboll, New York wide receiver Darius Slayton, who was lined up next to Robinson on the play, was penalized for offensive pass interference after making contact with Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene on a slant route.

Facing fourth and 11 after the flag, the Giants settled for a short field goal by Jude McAtamney. Jones threw his first touchdown pass at home since Week 17 of the 2022 season in the first half and added a second touchdown pass to rookie tight end Theo Johnson late in the fourth quarter to pull New York within five points. Jones finished 20 for 26 for 174 passing yards and rushed for 54 yards and a score, but he also failed to convert a couple of two-point conversions in the fourth quarter and dropped to 5-3-1 in his career against Washington.

Austin Ekeler’s third-down catch extends clock-killing drive: After the Giants pulled within eight points early in the fourth quarter, the Commanders were on the verge of going three-and-out on their ensuing possession. On third and nine from the Washington 38, Daniels drifted back before completing a pass over the middle to running back Austin Ekeler, who picked up 28 yards. The Commanders burned nearly five minutes off the clock after the conversion and capped the drive with a 20-yard field goal by Seibert.

With Brian Robinson Jr. inactive with a hamstring injury, Ekeler rushed 11 times for 42 yards, including a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Chris Rodriguez Jr. led Washington with 52 yards on 11 carries, including several strong runs on the Commanders’ game-sealing final drive. Daniels finished 15 for 22 for 209 yards and two touchdowns through the air and carried eight times for 35 yards.