Giants Must Win Game? Can Daniel Jones Rebound Against the Commanders?

In this episode, we break down Jones’ historical performance against Washington, where he's had flashes of brilliance, including his 352-yard, 5-touchdown game back in 2019. But the numbers reveal a more complicated story: outside of that standout performance, Jones has often been held under 225 passing yards in these matchups. Is it really Jones who has dominated the Commanders, or has it been the Giants’ overall team effort that has carried him? This game feels like a tipping point for Jones. With a 69.7% completion rate in seven games against Washington, he has the numbers to suggest a potential comeback.

We also discuss Baker Mayfield’s recent success against Washington, where the Bucs' quarterback torched them for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Mayfield, a middle-of-the-pack QB in the NFL, made the Commanders’ defense look vulnerable. Can Daniel Jones take advantage of the same weaknesses and deliver a similar performance, or is he set for another frustrating outing? Drew and Rob lay out their expectations for Jones, emphasizing the need for him to throw the ball down the field and exploit Washington’s secondary, which gave up big plays to Tampa’s receivers last week.

Next, we shift focus to the Giants' struggling run game. Devin Singletary managed just 37 yards on 10 carries against the Vikings, and the team is looking for a spark. Could rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. be the answer? Last week, the Commanders allowed 62 yards on just 9 carries to Bucs rookie Bucky Irving, while their lead back Rachaad White was held to just 31 yards. Speedy backs like Tracy might be the key to breaking through Washington’s defensive front. 

On the other side of the ball, the Giants face a daunting task in containing Washington’s rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. In his NFL debut, Daniels impressed with 184 passing yards, 88 rushing yards, and two touchdowns against the Bucs. However, he struggled to connect with his wide receivers, and his throws were often off-target. Could it be first-game jitters, or is there a bigger issue with his accuracy? The Giants’ defense, which made Sam Darnold look like a seasoned pro in Week 1.

The Commanders’ run game will also be a focus, with Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler providing a one-two punch out of the backfield. Robinson is a steady, workhorse back averaging 4 yards per carry, while Ekeler brings explosiveness, particularly as a receiving threat. However, Ekeler's production has dipped recently. We assess how the Giants can rebound from their poor showing against the run in Week 1, where they gave up 94 yards to Aaron Jones on just 14 carries, and whether they can slow down Washington’s backfield duo.

The Giants’ receiving corps, led by rookie Malik Nabers, will also be key to this game. Nabers had a solid debut with 5 catches for 66 yards, but the Giants will need more from him and the rest of the wideouts to keep pace with Washington. Last week, the Commanders’ secondary struggled, allowing Tampa’s Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to combine for over 140 yards and 3 touchdowns. Washington’s cornerbacks, particularly Benjamin St-Juste and Emmanuel Forbes, had poor performances. If Jones can air it out and get his play