10 quick thoughts from Week 13 as Commanders and NY Giants settle for tie

Washington Commanders didn’t know what to make of Sunday’s game rivalry against the New York Giants leading up to kickoff.

While the Commanders are rolling, Daniel Jones, a perennially average quarterback in his career, has always morphed into an elite running quarterback against Washington, leaving the door open for any outcome.

After falling down 10-0 in the first quarter, the Giants punched back and Washington couldn’t get off the ropes. The Commanders didn’t find the end zone again until less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter trailing 20-13, when Taylor Heinicke capped an eight-play drive with a touchdown to Jahan Dotson.

Washington blew a golden opportunity to win the game in overtime after a Curtis Samuel completion set them up inside Giants territory. New York then crossed midfield on the ensuing possession before punting the ball away. The clock ultimately ran out and the two rivals settled for a deserved tie.

It was a crazy game at MetLife Stadium. Let’s get into some quick noted and reactions we jotted down throughout the five (5) quarters of action.

10 quick thoughts from Commanders tie vs NY Giants

1. Jon Allen and Jamin Davis combine for huge turnover

A key coming into this game for Washington was neutralizing, or limiting, Daniel Jones’ impact as a runner. They did exactly that on the first drive. After Jones scrambled for a first down, the Giants dialed up a quarterback draw. They lived to regret that, as Allen jarred the ball loose with a textbook punch before Davis recovered.

With the MetLife Stadium crowd looking for any excuse to get raucous, this early turnover really sapped a lot of the energy from the stadium. Even with the score at 3-0, Giants fans uncorked the boo birds in the first quarter.

2. Taylor Heinicke still struggling with accuracy

Immediately following Jones’ fumble, the Commanders put together a commanding opening drive, churning out big gains with Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson on the ground. It only resulted in a field goal, but they could’ve had a touchdown had Heinicke hit Logan Thomas, who was open enough for a walk-in score.

Accuracy has been a big issue for Heinicke in recent weeks.

Accuracy has been a big issue for Heinicke in recent weeks. It must prove if he’s to keep the starting job for the final four games.

3. Daron Payne reclaims sack lead from Montez Sweat

If not for Jonathan Allen, Payne would be running away with Washington’s player of the season award. Not long behind in the polls — if there was an actual vote — would be Montez Sweat, who entered Week 13 for the team lead with 7.0 sacks. Payne quickly reclaimed that mantle with a first quarter sack of Jones.

Payne was a force all game and he tallied his second sack in overtime, giving him 8.5 for the season; 3.5 more than his previous career high. The former first-round pick is months away from signing a ginormous contract.