2024 REWIND: Week 2 – Austin Seibert kicks 7 field goals to lift Commanders to victory against the Giants

No punts; no turnovers; no touchdowns – Washington scratches out a win

Both the Giants and the Commanders entered the game with 0-1 records and needing a win to avoid a brutal winless start through two weeks. Jayden Daniels provided most of the offensive production for the Commanders in Week 1, while Daniel Jones struggled mightily against the Vikings.

Jones’ history against Washington had seen him enjoy a ton of success, but the Commanders showed up this week with a new coaching staff and a rebuilt roster that weren’t here for those earlier Danny Dimes games. Washington fans were hoping for a new beginning in the series while Giants fans were hoping to see their team save what feels like a critical season in the 3rd year of a rebuild.

This was the home opener for a Washington crowd that was excited to see Jayden Daniels take a step forward from the Week 1 season opener in Tampa where JD5 had carried the ball 16 times (including a pair of kneel-downs), with fans hoping that the rookie would find a way to pass more, run less, and win the game.

In the end, he did all three of those things, but the offensive scoring by the Commanders didn’t really unfold the way most fans expected, as the Commanders scored on every drive — but only field goals.

First Quarter

The Giants won the toss and deferred. Austin Ekeler returned the ball 99 yards for a touchdown that was disallowed due to a holding call. Giants kicker Graham Gano was injured on the play and was listed as ‘doubtful’ by the team.

Commanders
Noah Brown, active for the first time in a Commanders uniform, caught his first pass from Jayden Daniels. A few plays later, on 2nd & 7, Daniels looked like he would be sacked for a loss of about 12 yards, but the rookie quarterback escaped to ‘save’ the play, taking a loss of 3 yards to set up 3rd & 10.

On the third-down play it appeared that Daniels scrambled for a 1st down, beating multiple Giants defenders with a headfirst dive for the marker, but the call was challenged and reversed to bring up 4th & inches.

Dan Quinn elected to go for it, and Brian Robinson picked up over 5 yards with a punishing run to set the team up with a first down near the 25-yard line.

A few plays later, facing 3rd & 14. Austin Ekeler ran the ball 13 yards right up the middle to set up another 4th down; again, Quinn decided to go for it.

With just 5:27 left in the first quarter, the Commanders’ opening drive was at the Giants 4-yard line, but a false start by TE Ben Sinnott brought the drive to an end. Facing 4th & 6, the Commanders lined up for a field goal attempt by the brand new kicker, Austin Seibert.

It’s easy to forget the drama that Washington had gone through in the offseason at the kicker position. AP & DQ decided against re-signing Joey Slye, who had kicked for the Commanders in ‘22 & ‘23, signing veteran Brandon McManus instead. Offseason allegations of sexual misconduct were enough to see the Commanders cut McManus. He was replaced by Ramiz Ahmed and Riley Patterson before the start of training camp, but prior to the start of the season, Adam Peters traded for Cade York from the Browns.

In Week 1, York missed two field goal attempts and botched a kickoff, and the Washington brass had seen enough. Cade York was cut, negating the conditional trade, and Austin Seibert, who had appeared in only 4 games and attempted only 6 field goals in the prior two seasons, was signed to replace him — the latest in an uninspiring parade.

On his first-ever FG attempt as a Commander, Seibert drilled the 27-yard attempt to give Washington the lead 3-0. The drive had lasted 9m 30sec, comprising 16 plays and covering 65 yards.

The Commanders had their first lead in the Peters-Quinn-Daniels era.

Giants
Following the kickoff, the Giants were ready to set up at the 32-yard line, but a personal foul on newly-signed Nick Bellore moved the ball to the 47-yard line. With the crowd sending up a deafening roar to support the defense, the Giants got their initial first down when Daniel Jones kept the ball and ran it on a zone read.

Two plays later, New York faced 3rd & 11 near the Washington 41-yard line. Jones hit Malik Nabers for a 28-yard catch & run to Washington’s 13-yard line.

On first down, Jones faked the handoff and ran straight up the middle for 6 yards to the Washington 7. On the next play, Devin Singletary ran through two arm tackles to score a touchdown.

The Giants had a kicker problem of their own that would end up affecting decision-making for the balance of the game. Graham Gano was out, having pulled a hamstring chasing after Austin Ekeler on the opening kickoff.

With the Giants punter, Jamie Gillan, kicking, the PAT was no good, and the score was 6-3 with about a minute left in the first quarter.

At this point in the game, both quarterbacks — Jones (2-2) and Daniels (6-6) — were perfect in the passing game.

Second Quarter

Commanders
To start the second quarter, Daniels threw the ball to Zach Ertz. It appeared for a moment that the pass had been intercepted, but Ertz simply out-muscled the defender for the ball and a 21-yard gain, setting up a fresh set of downs at the Giants’ 43-yard line.

Two plays later, Washington faced 3rd & 1 at the Giants 34-yard line, and Brian Robinson broke through the line for a powerful and impressive 10-yard run.

A busted play (bobbled snap in pistol formation) brought up 3rd & 6 at the Giants’ 20 yard line. At this point, despite the Giants leading, Washington led time of possession 13:59 to 4:18.

That didn’t matter, however, as Jayden Daniels was sacked for the 3rd time in the game for a 7-yard loss.

Seibert came on and split the uprights on a 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 6-6. The Commanders’ second drive lasted 10 plays and covered 43 yards.

Giants
The Giants started their second drive of the game at their own 24-yard line due to good kick coverage by Washington.

A big run by Singletary on 2nd down pushed the ball to Washington’s side of the field, with a first-down at the 47-yard line.

The drive stalled, and the Giants were forced into the first punt of the game.

Commanders
Washington took over at their own 18-yard line.

Daniels lost yards on back to back plays (a sack and tackle for loss) brought up 3rd & 13 near the 15-yard line. On this play, Daniels ran the ball for a first down at the 29-yard line, but took a hard hit on the tackle.

Backup QB Jeff Driskel came in for a play as Jayden Daniels went to the sideline, but the rookie came right back on the field for the 2nd & 6 play — a dart to Terry McLaurin for Washington’s 9th first-down of the game.

Two plays later, Brian Robinson broke a 32-yard run to take his total to 61 rushing yards in the first half.

Following the first down at the Giants’ 27-yard line, Washington lost yardage to bring up 3rd & 13, but Austin Ekeler caught a check-down in the middle of the field and took it to the Giants 14-yard line.

Two plays later, Washington faced its 9th third-down of the game at the Giants’ 8-yard line at the 2-minute warning.

With 1:59 left on the clock, Washington had run 36 offensive plays to 12 for New Yord and out-gained the Giants 186 yards to 84. The Commanders had dominated the box score, but the game was tied on the scoreboard.

On 3rd & 4, Ekeler was stopped for no gain at the NYG 8-yard line, and Seibert came on for his 3rd field goal try, making it a perfect 3-3 with a 26-yard kick.

The Commanders’ 3rd drive lasted 14 plays and covered 74 yards, but once again, stalled without the burgundy & gold able to get the ball across the line for a touchdown. Washington led 9-6 with 1:50 on the clock.

Giants
The Giants started their 3rd and final drive of the half at the 30-yard line following a return by Gray.

After 4 quick first-downs featuring some really poor open-field tackling by CB Michael Davis, the Giants were threatening with a first down at Washington’s 13-yard line. Jones scrambled following a bobbled snap to bring up 2nd & 1 at the Washington 4-yard line. An incomplete pass brought up 3rd down with 12 seconds left in the half. Daniel Jones hit an unguarded Malik Nabers for an easy touchdown.

With no kicker, the Giants attempted a failed 2-point conversion.

The Giants kicked off, leading 12-9 with just 8 seconds left in the first half.

End of the half
Jayden Daniels took a knee to send both teams to the locker room.

Halftime Stats

Aside from the end-of-half kneel-down, the Commanders scored on every first half possession. Washington dominated time of possession, but the inability to finish drives with touchdowns meant that the Giants were in the lead at the half and set to receive the second-half kickoff.

Statistics via ESPN

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Third Quarter

Giants
The Giants received the second half kickoff and set up for their 4th offensive drive of the game at the 25-yard line.

A quick strike on the first play moved the Giants to the 45 yard line. Two plays later the Commanders got their first sack of the game. On the very next play, Giants running back Devin Singletary lost a fumble on a “Peanut punch” by Ben St-Juste that was recovered by Jeremy Chinn!

Commanders
Following the turnover, Washington had the ball at their own 35-yard line. A penalty on the first play brought up 1st & 15 at the 30. Two plays later, Washington faced 3rd & 8 on their own side of the field. Daniels completed a pass to a wide-open Zach Ertz for 20 yards to the Giants’ 43-yard line.

On the next play, Daniels hit Ertz again for another 14 yards.

Washington had 1st down at the Giants 29-yard line. On the first-down play, Brian Robinson ran a running back draw play to the 11-yard line.

Two plays later, the Commanders faced 3rd & 8 from the 9-yard line. Daniels threw a ball that Dyami Brown caught a full yard out of the back of the end zone, bringing Austin Seitbert on for his 4th field goal attempt of the game.

Washington put 3 points on the board following the turnover to tie the game at 12-12.

Giants
With about 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Giants set up for their 5th offensive drive at the 34-yard line. After an incomplete pass and a good pass breakup by Bobby Wagner, it was 3rd & 10 and the crowd came to life. A pass break up by Benjamin St-Juste forced the 3 & out.

With a turnover and a forced punt, the Commanders defense had set the tone early in the third quarter.

Commanders
Following an exciting 24-yard return by Zaccheaus, Jayden Daniels took the field again, with the offense set up at the 30-yard line and the opportunity to re-claim the lead.

Daniels at this point was 15-18 for 123 yards. Zach Ertz was his leading receiver with 4 catches for 62 yards. Terry McLaurin had 4 catches for just 8 yards before pulling in a 13-yard reception on 2nd & 13.

Brian Robinson, with 6:42 left in the third quarter, led all rushers in the game with 85 yards on 13 carries (6.5 yards per carry).

With 3rd & 1 at their own 39-yard line, Brian Robinson went into a scrum, and came out the other side for 40 yards, setting up a fresh set of downs at the Giants’ 21-yard line to reach 125 rushing yards with time left in the 3rd quarter.

A pair of Ekeler runs set up 1st & goal at the 8 yard line.

Another false start inside the 10-yard line pushed the Commanders back. Washington couldn’t get any closer on this drive, and, facing 4th & goal from the 11 yard line, Austin Seibert out for his 5th field goal attempt of the game.

He was right down the middle from 29 yards out to make the score Commanders 15 – Giants 12 with under 3 minutes to play in the quarter. Aside from the kneel-down to end the half, Washington has ended every drive with a score — unfortunately, every score was just 3 points.

Giants
Early in the Giants’ 6th offensive possession, Nabers pulled in his 6th reception of the game (73 yards, TD) to give the Giants a first down.

Two plays later, Singletary burst through the middle of the line on a cut back for 18 yards to the Washington 38.

As the 3rd quarter came to an end, the Giants faced 3rd & 6 at the Commanders 34 yard line without a healthy kicker.

Fourth Quarter

On the first play of the game’s final stanza, the crowd got loud to help the home team defense and drew a false start penalty as the Commanders brought a jailbreak blitz.

Now facing 3rd & 11, Jones threw short of the sticks. Without a kicker, the Giants went for it on 4th & 3 amid a deafening roar from the crowd. The lack of a place kicker actually helped the Giants here as they kept the offense on the field and converted on 4th down with a quick pass to Nabers on the right sideline.

After a pair of running plays, it was 3rd & 2 at Washington’s 19-yard line. A defensive holding call turned it into first & goal for the Giants from the 10-yard line.

A short run and an incomplete pass brought up 3rd & goal from the 7 yard line. Jones hit Wan’dale Robinson for an easy touchdown against Noah Igbinoghene.

Again, with no kicker, the Giants tried the 2-point conversion, but Daniel Jones’ pass was too hot for Robinson to hold onto. The score stood at 18-15 in favor of the Giants with 11:32 left to play in the game.

Commanders
Washington, following a penalty against New York on the kickoff, took over on the 40-yard-line, needing to push the ball into the end zone for a touchdown to take control of the game.

What appeared to be the Giants’ 6th sack was negated by a bad call against the Giants defense. On the ensuing first-down play, Daniels completed his 18th pass of the game to Noah Brown for 15 yards and another first down.

A huge catch and run by Austin Ekeler put the Commanders at the Giants 6-yard-line with 1st & goal.

This time, the Commanders didn’t draw a penalty flag and again had a false start penalty inside the 10-yard line.

Two plays later, the burgundy & gold faced 3rd & goal from the 10-yard-line.

ANOTHER false start penalty pushed the ball back to the 15-yard-line.

Jayden Daniels was unable to compete the pass (bringing him to 21-27). Seibert came out for his 6th field goal of the day — this one from 33 yards to tie the game at 18-18.

The story of the game is Washington’s self-destruction in the red zone time after time. Scoring on each of the team’s 6 drives (not counting the kneel-down) but coming away with just 18 points is keeping New York in the game despite Daniel Jones completing just 13 of 23 passes.

Giants
With just over 7 minutes remaining, the Giants offense started the drive at their 32-yard-line. They drove the field, but as they approached the red zone New York’s offense faced a critical play on 4th & 4 at Washington’s 22-yard-line.

The Giants failed to convert when a pass from Jones went right through Malik Nabers’ hands on the right sideline.

Commanders
Having dodged a bullet, the Commanders took over on downs at their own 23 yard line.

At the 2-minute warning, Washington faced 2nd & 10 with the score tied and Jayden Daniels having the opportunity to put together his first-ever NFL game-winning drive.

Daniels started well; on first down he beats the blitz and hits Noah Brown in the middle of the field for 34 yards.

The next play was an 8-yard reception that put the Commanders in field goal range at the NY 35-yard-line. Daniels is now 23-29 for 226 yards.

On 2nd & 2, bruising RB Brian Robinson breaks several tackles to run 11 yards to the Giants 24-yard-line with 00:57 on the clock. He’s rushed 16 times for 134 yards and looked like a pro bowl runner today.

On the next play, Jayden Daniels kept the ball on the zone read and scampered down the right sideline to the 10-yard line to set up 1st & goal at 00:51.

With no time outs remaining, the Giants couldn’t stop the clock. Washington ran two plays and called timeout with 00:02 left on the clock.

Austin Seibert came on the field to attempt a 30-yard field goal — his 7th — to win the game.

Seibert, completing the highlight game of his kicking career, drilled the kick to win the game, 21-18, setting a new franchise record in the process!

Jayden Daniels had the first win of his professional career as the Adam Peters/Dan Quinn train got its first traction on the way to a playoff season.

Full Game Stats

Statistics via ESPN

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