- Thursday, November 16, 2023

Before the first game between the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants this season, this reporter used this space to proclaim, “Everything is breaking right” for Washington in a matchup that has usually been their kryptonite.

That was a touch premature.

Like Charlie Brown kicking the football, though, optimism persists ahead of Sunday’s rematch at FedEx Field.

The Giants are even more banged up than they were in the first matchup, a 14-7 New York victory, and will start quarterback Tommy DeVito on Sunday.

There’s also a belief that Commanders quarterback Sam Howell and the team’s offense are in a better space than they were during that game. The second half of the Giants contest marked a turning point for Howell, as he was finally able to avoid the sacks that had plagued him to that point, and the offense as a whole started to succeed. 

“We know what we’re capable of, but at the same time, it’s about to be Week 11,” running back Antonio Gibson said. “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 attitude was shared by members of the defense, who don’t plan on being complacent or assuming an easy victory against DeVito.

“He’s an NFL professional quarterback,” cornerback Kendall Fuller said. “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 in the recent history between the two, and there’s reason for fans, and players, to take the game seriously.

Washington has won just two of the last 10 meetings between the teams (both during the 2021 season, when the Giants bottomed out, including a quarterback kneel on third down in the second meeting).

“I just think division games are tough games, right,” said defensive end 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 game will be back in Lsndover, where Washington has enjoyed generally favorable crowds this season, outside of the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles games.

Coach Ron Rivera said he’s not going to get wrapped up in the history of the series or the urgency for Washington, which at 4-6 is in danger of seeing its playoff hopes slip away.

“We do kind of owe these guys one,” he said. “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 game should provide a tough test, as Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is known for throwing a variety of blitzes at opposing quarterbacks.

Howell was sacked just three times against the Seattle Seahawks, and has largely eluded pressure over the last three weeks, including impressive throws to his checkdown options, including running back Brian Robinson, during that time.

Receiver Terry McLaurin said the mistake-prone Commanders have plenty to work on whether the opponent is the Giants or any other NFL team.

“I think we’re showing that we can be successful against multiple looks, multiple defenses,” he said. “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 in the second half of the season almost certainly needs to include a win over the Giants, who may never be more beatable than they will be on Sunday. Of course, nobody needs to remind the Commanders that there are no guarantees of success in the NFL.

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