Giants unable to ‘make enough plays’ to win

About those numbers. While the Giants were running for all those yards in the first two quarters, they scored only seven points. Jones threw for zero yards and Nabers had no catches in the first half (Jones did toss a touchdown pass). Scoring each time they had the ball in the final two quarters was positive, but they had only three possessions. And after each of their two touchdowns, they failed on a 2-point conversion attempt.

Holding McLaurin to two receptions would have more newsworthy had they not both been touchdowns.

Daboll’s game plan was to pound the ball and in the first half the Giants had 21 rushing attempts and threw only six passes. But they scored only seven points to Washington’s 21.

“We were productive running the ball,” Daboll said. “(We had) like seven yards a carry (6.8), so we kept doing that. We had the one touchdown on a play action pass on the goal line. We threw two screens. But we were productive moving the football. We turned the ball over on the one screen. So, that was part of the plan. I thought the guys did a good job of executing, being physical at the line of scrimmage and controlling the line of scrimmage.”

Jones had his fourth two-touchdown, no-interception game of the season. But he lost a fumble on the Giants’ second possession that led to Washington’s – and McLaurin’s – first touchdown. It was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but Washington coach Dan Quinn challenged the ruling and after review, it was changed to a fumble.

The Giants tied the game at 7-7 but trailed at halftime by two touchdowns and never led. The closest they got was the final score.

“I think obviously the turnover was critical,” Jones said. “So, look to see where we can do a better job there. I thought we moved the ball well, ran the ball well, our (play) action game and some of that stuff in the second half was productive. Obviously, a couple three-and-outs, so look to see where we can improve those situations. Just overall, have to be better.”

Jones contributed to all three Giants touchdowns, throwing scoring passes of two yards Chris Manhertz and a 35-yarder to rookie Theo Johnson, the first scores by a Giants tight end since Nov. 12, 2023. Jones also scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Jude McAtamney kicked a 31-yard field goal and an extra point in his NFL debut.

Washington scored on two one-yard touchdowns – a Jayden Daniels pass to McLaurin and an Austin Ekeler run, McLaurin’s 18-yard reception, and two field goals by Austin Seibert.

The Giants defense did not force a turnover and for the first time this season did not record a sack, despite entering the game with an NFL-high 35. The Giants hit rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels just twice.

“They had a lot of chippers (extra blockers),” defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence said. “He catches the ball at seven (yards deep), sits back at 12 and they were chipping. He’s gotten very comfortable real quick with the game. He did a good job evading the pressure.”

“He’s impressive,” linebacker Brian Burns said of Daniels, who became the first rookie quarterback to beat the Giants twice. “The game has already slowed down for him to a certain extent. He seems very poised. He seems like he’s in control. They did a good job of trying to slow down our line with the chips and the other stuff they did. They had a good game plan. They executed well.”

In the third quarter, the Giants scored on a 3-yard pass to Wan’Dale Robinson, a touchdown that would have lifted them to within seven points. But Darius Slayton was hit with a questionable offensive pass interference penalty, forcing the Giants back to the 13-yard line and McAtamney’s field goal.

Daboll doesn’t discuss calls by the officials, but he was clearly angry about that one.

The Giants did score touchdowns on each of their fourth quarter possessions, but missed 2-point tries after each and are 0-6 on such attempts this season.

“We made plays when the ball got handed to us,” Nabers said. “We scored touchdowns. We passed the ball good. Of course, it’s the NFL. It’s going to be ‘bang-bang’ plays.”

The Giants just didn’t make enough of them.