Hero, zeros and full blitz from the Giants’ 14-7 victory over the Commanders on Sunday afternoon.
Hero
Dexter Lawrence was the best player on the field (six tackles, two sacks, four quarterback hits), but his fellow inside tackle Leonard Williams (sack, blocked field goal) wasn’t far behind.
Zero
Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy called 19 runs (4 yards per carry) compared to 42 passes for first-year starter Sam Howell against Wink Martindale’s complicated blitz-heavy defense.
Unsung hero
Darren Waller scored his first touchdown as a Giant — on a third-and-goal from the 15-yard line after Commanders coach Ron Rivera mistakenly accepted a penalty to allow a third-down do-over. Waller had seven catches for 98 yards.
Key stat
14: Third-down stops by the Giants’ defense on 15 attempts.
Quote of the afternoon
“Last year it was about bringing ‘em to the deep end [to drown]. This year it’s about hitting them in their mouth first.”
— Kayvon Thibodeaux on the mindset of the Giants’ defense against opponents.
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