Positives and negatives for the Commanders vs NY Giants

The Washington Commanders marched into MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday and left with a different kind of feeling after battling to a 20-20 tie with the New York Giants.

The Commanders and Giants arguably gave fans four quarters of the best football we’ve seen this season in the NFL and an extra quarter for free.  In the end, it gave fans on both sides an extra holiday gift – it’s not a loss and it is not a victory.  With the 20-20 tie, the Commanders are now half a game out of the playoff picture as they head into the bye week.

Welcome to this week’s look back at the Giants game and the unusual circumstances of analyzing a tie.  We have three positives and three negatives to talk about, grades for the coaches and players, game recognitions (no game balls this week), and a prediction for the game in two weeks against the Giants – so many oddities.

Offering analysis for a tie is new territory for yours truly, but certainly not impossible.  However, we can’t ignore this strange perspective on the tie from left tackle, Charles Leno.  We understand the hyperbole and humor here, but it definitely is not a quote that makes us comfortable.

Let’s dive right in and take a look at Sunday’s game.

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1599516298211479553

Positives and Negatives for the Commanders vs NY Giants

1. The first positive is the same as last week – the running backs.  Brian Robinson rushed for 96 yards and added 15 yards on a pair of catches.  Antonio Gibson chipped in 39 yards on the ground and 10 receiving yards.  It’s a proven formula for the Commanders – get the rushing offense in gear early and often.

1A. The first negative from Sunday’s game is the untimely penalties against the Giants.  This included two penalties against Rachad Wildgoose on the same play in the fourth quarter.  Defensive holding, offensive holding, blocking above the waist, unnecessary roughness, and false start penalties all happened at inopportune moments in the game.

2.  Our second positive on Sunday is the wide receivers.  The trio of Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Jahan Dotson all made crucial catches at critical moments in the game.  They combined for 19 catches, 222 yards, and two touchdowns.

2A. Our second negative from Sunday centers on the play-calling of Scott Turner at various times – specifically, shorter passes.  Wide receiver screens and most passes at or near the line of scrimmage should be used sparingly and not on each set of downs.

3.  Positive number three is simple – fighting until the final second has expired.  While it is not always a favorable outcome or a pretty sight, this team will continue to fight until that last second has ticked away.  Achieving a tie is never fun, but it is better than losing.

3A.  The third and final negative is more of a complaint, but it is still a negative.  Whenever the Commanders enter the red zone, scoring field goals is fine, but touchdowns are always much better.  Trips to the red zone in recent weeks haven’t been as productive as needed and touchdowns should always be the top priority.

Grades for Commanders vs. New York

• Quarterbacks – Grade: C+
• Running Backs – Grade: A-
• Tight Ends – Grade: C
• Wide Receivers – Grade: B+
• Offensive Line – Grade: C+
• Defensive Line – Grade: B-
• Linebackers – Grade: C
• Cornerbacks – Grade: B-
• Safeties – Grade: B-
• Special Teams – Grade: B
• Coaches – Grade: C

Positive and Negative Recognition

• The first positive recognition is given to Brian Robinson.  With 111 total yards on Sunday, he continues to improve each week and should have a solid impact going forward.
• The first negative recognition is given to Rachad Wildgoose.  We mentioned earlier that he had two penalties on the same play.  The personal foul penalty was accepted on a punt in the fourth quarter and it forced the Commanders to start that drive on their eight yard line and not the 27 yard line (assuming the first penalty would’ve been accepted).
• The second positive recognition for the Commanders is none other than punter Tress Way.  He was able to place four of his punts inside New York’s twenty yards line.

• The second negative recognition in Sunday’s game is given to wide receiver Cam Sims.  With one catch for negative yardage on two targets, he was not a factor in the game.  One pass went directly through his hands and, standing at 6-5, Sims demonstrated his unusual two-inch vertical leap and lack of effort on that play.

Commanders Next Game Prediction, Final Thoughts

The Commanders will return to FedEx Field for a primetime rematch with the Giants on December 18.  Also, the KJ record tracker will reflect a loss and not a tie.  If yours truly misses any prediction, it goes down as a loss.

Commanders 23 Giants 17

KJ Record: 6-7

• Look for defensive end Chase Young to be active and playing in the next game.
• Christian Holmes struggled mightily against the Giants on Sunday, but he is a rookie 7th rounder.  The hope is for Benjamin St-Juste to be ready after the bye.
• Quarterback Carson Wentz is likely to be active next week and become the primary backup.

We’ll return after the next Giants game.  See you as we go along.