Game Preview, Week 2: New York Giants at Washington
September 13, 2024
by Steve Thomas
Week 1 certainly didn’t go as we all hoped, with a big loss to the Buccaneers that exposed some problems on both offense and defense, but also gave the fans at least a couple of causes for hope . . . maybe. Fortunately for Washington, this week, the division rival New York Giants come to town. If there was ever a team that will be capable of playing the part of “get well” opponent for Washington, it’s the Giants. I think that this game will tell us quite a bit about the true nature of the 2024 Washington team. After all, Tampa Bay is a high quality team that has realistic intentions of going deep in the playoffs. There’s no doubt that Washington looked bad against them, but turning things around and doing well against what appears to be a bottom-feeder team will at least establish some sort of baseline standard upon which Washington can build. Of course, the opposite is also true. What will happen? We’ll have to tune in on Sunday to find out. Our game preview is below.
Game time & location: Sunday, September 15, 2024, 1:00 p.m. ET, Northwest Stadium, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open 11:00 a.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 8:00 a.m.; all other parking lots 9:00 a.m.
Television: FOX
Television announcers: Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth, Jen Hale
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: Click here
Giants radio network: Click here
Satellite radio: Sirius: 83 (Wash. broad.); SiriusXM: 227 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831
Washington roster: Click here
Washington depth chart: Click here
Giants roster: Click here
Giants depth chart: Click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Giants: 70 – 107 – 5 (last 10: 2 – 7 – 1)
Last meeting: L, November 19, 2023, 19 – 31
Early odds: Washington, -1.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Open up the passing offense
Washington’s passing game needs to include the wide receivers at a greater rate than what occurred during the Tampa Bay game. Quarterback Jayden Daniels had a decent first game, but now needs to start to take the next step and become capable of expanding the skillsets of the offense. This is generally important, but even moreso against the Giants, who do not have a particularly good secondary or pass defense in general. I’d like to see Daniels make progress and build from last week’s performance by playing from the pocket.
Find another runner other than Jayden Daniels
Washington needs to somehow find an effective and efficient running game other than Daniels, particularly against a team like the Giants whose defensive strength is in the defensive line. I’m not convinced that Brian Robinson Jr. is necessarily the answer, but the team could and should try to feature him against this week. I’d like to see a non-Daniels average of over 4 yards per carry this week. Will that happen? I’m skeptical, but they need to make that happen this week against New York.
Control the Giants X and Z receivers
If Darius Slayton plays this week, he’s most dangerous offensive threat the Giants have. In addition, the Giants other receivers also have some talent. Washington’s secondary needs to make an effort to not make the job of New York quarterback easy. Controlling Daniel Jones and not letting him have a “get well game” means controlling New York’s outside receivers. After last week’s poor performance, Washington’s secondary has something to prove, and it’s going to be a big key to a Washington victory in week 2.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Cornelius Lucas / Brandon Coleman vs Kayvon Thibodeaux
Regardless of which player starts at left tackle this week, whether Lucas or Coleman, that player is going to have a tough battle against New York’s best pass rusher. Last week, the Buccaneers only got two sacks, but did get a fairly significant amount of pressure on the quarterback. Washington needs to keep that from happening again in this game, and that effort begins with Thibodeaux. For Lucas, it’s a chance to prove that he deserves to hang on to the starting position for awhile. For Coleman, this is his opportunity to show the coaching staff that he’s ready to take over.
Mike Sainristil vs. Wan’Dale Robinson
This matchup is part of Washington’s broader need to control the Giants’ passing game. Truthfully, Sainristil didn’t do particularly well last week, so keep an eye out on how well he does against Robinson in week 2. Robinson didn’t do much last week, with just 44 receiving yards in 6 receptions, but the Giants are high on his potential He’s only 5’8”, so from a size perspective, he’s a good matchup. For his part, Washington has high hopes for Sainristil to take hold of the slot corner role. Keep an eye out on how well Sainristil matches up against an opponent who is probably an above-average slot receiver.
Terry McLaurin vs. Deonte Banks
Washington needs their Pro Bowl receiver to show up as one of the focal points of the offense this week. He was an afterthought last week against Tampa Bay, and that’s not a recipe for offensive success. Washington is going to have to have McLaurin produce against the Giants in order to make more significant offensive strides this week. Watch out for how well McLaurin does at getting open against New York’s Banks.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (as of Saturday (active roster only)) (starters in bold)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful
| Washington | Giants |
| TE Z. Ertz, NIR; Wed: DNP | DB N. McCloud, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| DT J. Newton, foot/NIF; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q | LB D. Muassau, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| S T. Owens, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | WR G. Olszewski, groin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| T B. Coleman, shoulder; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | WR D. Slayton, concussion protocol; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| CB E. Forbes Jr., Thumb; Wed: FP; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP; game: O | LB M. McFadden, groin; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| RB B. Robinson Jr., knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | WR M. Nabers, knee; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| T T. Scott, knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | |
| DE C. Ferrell, knee; Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: DNP; game: Q | |
| S Q. Martin, hamstring; Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: LP; game: Q |
Steve’s Prediction
I don’t think that either team is going to look particularly good this week, but Washington will be slightly more amped up because this game will be Daniels’ first professional home game of his career. Therefore, I think Washington squeaks by and gets a win in a close, low-scoring game, 13 – 10.