Before the primary recreation between the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants this season, this reporter used this area to proclaim, “Everything is breaking right” for Washington in a matchup that has often been their kryptonite.
That was a contact untimely.
Like Charlie Brown kicking the soccer, although, optimism persists forward of Sunday’s rematch at FedEx Field.
The Giants are much more banged up than they have been within the first matchup, a 14-7 New York victory, and can begin quarterback Tommy DeVito on Sunday.
There’s additionally a perception that Commanders quarterback Sam Howell and the workforce’s offense are in a greater area than they have been throughout that recreation. The second half of the Giants contest marked a turning level for Howell, as he was lastly capable of keep away from the sacks that had plagued him to that time, and the offense as an entire began to succeed.
“We know what we’re capable of, but at the same time, it’s about to be Week 11,” operating again Antonio Gibson mentioned. “It’s got to click and it’s got to click now. It’s a tough thing, but at the same time, it’s a positive. Like, we haven’t really touched what we’re capable of yet.
He added: “I feel like that’s probably one of the worst feelings, knowing what you’re capable of and not being able to show people what you can do.”
Gibson’s perspective was shared by members of the protection, who don’t plan on being complacent or assuming a simple victory towards DeVito.
“He’s an NFL professional quarterback,” cornerback Kendall Fuller mentioned. “Anybody out there can win a football game. That’s the mentality we’re going with — we’re gonna need all 11 guys on the field to be able to stop their offense.”
Add within the current historical past between the 2, and there’s motive for followers, and gamers, to take the sport significantly.
Washington has gained simply two of the final 10 conferences between the groups (each throughout the 2021 season, when the Giants bottomed out, together with a quarterback kneel on third down within the second assembly).
“I just think division games are tough games, right,” mentioned defensive finish Casey Toohill. “You’re used to playing the people, you know the schemes. You kind of understand what you’re going to get and the environment is always tough to play in.”
This recreation might be again in Lsndover, the place Washington has loved typically favorable crowds this season, outdoors of the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles video games.
Coach Ron Rivera mentioned he’s not going to get wrapped up within the historical past of the sequence or the urgency for Washington, which at 4-6 is in peril of seeing its playoff hopes slip away.
“We do kind of owe these guys one,” Rivera mentioned. “But that’s not why you play. You play to win the game. You play to do things the right way, and you keep the focus on playing the game. That, to me, is what’s more important. I mean, every one of these games we play are all important.”
As Rivera has touted Howell’s progress, Sunday’s recreation ought to present a troublesome check, as Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is thought for throwing a wide range of blitzes at opposing quarterbacks.
Howell was sacked simply thrice towards the Seattle Seahawks, and has largely eluded stress over the past three weeks, together with spectacular throws to his checkdown choices, together with operating again Brian Robinson, throughout that point.
Receiver Terry McLaurin mentioned the mistake-prone Commanders have loads to work on whether or not the opponent is the Giants or some other NFL workforce.
“I think we’re showing that we can be successful against multiple looks, multiple defenses,” McLaurin mentioned. “It’s just about sustaining drives, or finishing, always having points and not having self-inflicted penalties and turnovers. That’s what we’ve got to do going forward to continue to be successful.”
Success within the second half of the season nearly definitely wants to incorporate a win over the Giants, who could by no means be extra beatable than they are going to be on Sunday. Of course, no one must remind the Commanders that there aren’t any ensures of success within the NFL.
