Game Recap: Washington at New York Giants
December 15, 2025
by Steve Thomas
Washington finally broke their 8 game losing streak in New York Sunday with a 29 – 22 highly contested victory over the Giants, to bring their record to 4 – 10 for the season. The game featured much better overall play by Washington on both offense and defense, which, despite the negative impact on the team’s draft status, such be a major boost for the locker room this coming week.
Washington leaned heavily on the run game in the first quarter, with 5 passed to 9 called carries to the running backs, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols, plus three scrambles by quarterback Marcus Mariota. Washington’s first drive stalled out on the Giants’ 28 yard line, at which point kicker Jake Moody was able to convert a 42 yard field goal. Defensively, Washington looked much better than last week and was able to hold the Giants to less than 40 total yards offensively. They got good pressure on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart at times. Dart was fairly inaccurate in his 5 pass attempts; however, at least one was the result of pressure by defensive end Preston Smith. The Giants missed a 52 yard field goal. Washington’s second drive of the game ended with a punt after just 20 yards. The quarter ended with Washington in the lead 3 – 0.
Washington was able to score its first touchdown of the game just for plays into the second quarter via a 16 yard run up the middle by Croskey-Merritt. Washington later added to its lead with a 39 yard Moody field goal after a 56 yard drive. The Giants offense showed signs of life in the second quarter, with a 10 play, 65 yard drive featuring 8 runs, including a 29 yard carry by Dart and a 12 yard touchdown by Tyrone Tracy. However, the momentum changed when Jaylin Lane returned the Giants’ punt 63 yards for a touchdown with just 35 seconds left in the half; however, Moody missed his extra point, to put the score at 19 – 7. Dart then threw an interception to cornerback Mike Sainristil, who returned it 55 yards to the Giants’ 21 yard line. Washington was able to convert the interception into a field goal and the half end with Washington up 22 – 7.
At halftime, Mariota was 5 for 11 for 80 yards passing, for a quarterback rating of 70.3, plus another 5 carries for 32 yards. Croskey-Merritt had 8 carries for 60 yards, for 7.5 yards per carry, plus one touchdown. Jeremy McNichols had 8 carries for 15 yards. Noah Brown was the leading receiver with 1 reception for 28 yards. For the Giants, Dart went 7 for 16 for 71 yards, with 1 interception, for a quarterback rating of just 31.0. Tyrone Tracy was the leading rusher, with 8 carries for 38 yards. Darius Slayton was the leading receiver with 38 yards in 2 receptions. Both Laremy Tunsil and Noah Brown left the game with injuries in the first half.
Washington allowed the Giants to march straight down the field and score a touchdown to start the second half, with a combination of successful passing by Dart and an 11 yard run by Tracy. Washington’s offense did absolutely nothing of value in the third quarter, with two punts in just 8 plays. The quarter ended with Washington leading by a score of 22 – 14, but with the Giants driving into Washington territory and setting up for a field goal attempt.
The Giants kicker missed a 51 yard field goal attempt on the first play of the fourth quarter. Washington then capitalized on the miss almost immediately, with a 51 yard touchdown pass by Mariota to Terry McLaurin. On the Giants next drive, then were able to drive down the field to Washington’s 1 yard line, but failed to score on four straight plays, thereby turning the ball back over to watch on downs. However, Washington did their best to keep the Giants in the game at that point, courtesy of a fumble by Mariota on a sack that was recovered by the Giants and returned to Washington’s 21 yard line. The Giants scored a touchdown four plays later to make the score 29 – 22. Washington then gave the ball back to the Giants again on the following drive as a result of Jeremy McNichols fumble recovered by the Giants. The recovery was ultimately placed on the Giants 49 yard line. However, the Giants were unable to convert the opportunity into points and Washington was able to run the clock out and get the victory, 29 – 22.
In the game, Mariota went 10 for 19 for 211 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 fumble, and no interceptions, for a quarterback rating of 109.8. Croskey-Merritt was the leading rusher with 96 yards in 18 carries for an average of 5.3 yards per carry, and 1 touchdown. Terry McLaurin was the leading receiver with 3 receptions in 4 targets for 69 yards and 1 touchdown. Ben Sinnott had 1 reception for 36 yards in his first start for the injured Zach Ertz. For the Giants, Jaxson Dart went 20 for 36 for 246 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, for a quarterback rating of 83.8. Tyrone Tracy was the Giants’ leading rusher with 15 carries for 70 yards, 4.7 yards per carry, and 1 touchdown. Theo Johnson was leading receiver in the game with 3 receptions for 72 yards.
Washington next faces the Philadelphia Eagles at home.