The Washington Commanders triumphed over the New York Giants 29-21 on December 10, 2023, marking their first win since October 5. This victory ended an eight-game losing streak that had significantly impacted their season. Quarterback Marcus Mariota expressed relief following the game, stating, “There’s nothing like a winning locker room. It’s hard to go two months without winning a football game.”
The Giants, now with a 2-12 record, continued their struggle, suffering their eighth consecutive defeat. They have not secured a win since October 9. This match, devoid of playoff implications, held significant ramifications for draft positioning, placing the Giants closer to a last-place finish in the NFC East and potentially prompting changes in their front office and coaching staff.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, saying, “I’ve never gone this long without a win in my career. I know that this isn’t going to be the case for the future, and things are going to eventually turn around.” Dart completed 20 of 36 passes for 246 yards, including touchdown passes to Tyrone Tracy and Wan’Dale Robinson, but he also threw an interception that proved costly.
The Commanders, now at 4-10, responded emphatically after being shut out 31-0 by the Minnesota Vikings the previous week. The game featured standout performances, including a touchdown run by Jacory Croskey-Merritt and a remarkable 63-yard punt return for a touchdown by rookie Jaylin Lane. Lane’s efforts earned him the game ball from head coach Dan Quinn, who praised the team’s resilience. “It’s the longest play in football, punt returns, so just shoutout to the guys,” Lane remarked.
Mariota’s connection with top receiver Terry McLaurin was crucial, resulting in a 51-yard touchdown catch-and-run early in the fourth quarter, which helped secure the win. McLaurin reflected on the moment, stating, “It feels amazing to win a football game. It’s been a long season, but you come out here and you get a win and you really appreciate that feeling.”
Despite completing only 10 passes out of 19 attempts for 211 yards, Mariota’s performance, combined with a solid defensive effort, proved sufficient for the Commanders. Von Miller contributed by sacking Dart, bringing his career total to 136.5 sacks, surpassing Jared Allen to claim 12th place on the all-time list. Mariota emphasized the grit shown by his teammates, noting, “Games like this are never easy. The weather was tough, windy, cold, snowy: So many reasons for guys to not show up and play, and our guys found a way.”
Dart faced a concerning moment during the game when he was hit hard on a designed run and subsequently evaluated for a concussion. He missed only two plays after being cleared but expressed confusion about the decision to pull him from the game. “I was definitely surprised,” Dart said. “I didn’t feel like it was that big of a hit at all.”
Injuries also played a role in the game. The Commanders lost Noah Brown, initially listed as questionable for a back injury, and Laremy Tunsil, who exited due to an oblique injury. The Giants continued to miss edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was sidelined for the fourth consecutive game due to a shoulder injury.
Looking ahead, the Commanders will host the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on December 16, while the Giants are set to face the Minnesota Vikings in their next matchup on December 17.
