Five keys to Washington getting a home win over New York

3. Protect Jayden Daniels from the Giants’ front.

The Commanders’ offensive line faced a difficult task against the Buccaneers’ defensive line in Week 1. They’ll see another one against the Giants with Dexter Lawrence leading a revamped pass-rush.

“I’d say now that [Aaron] Donald is gone, as much of a problem as anybody in the league,” offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said of Lawrence. “I think him and [Las Vegas Raiders DE] Maxx Crosby are probably the two most disruptive D-linemen in the league. [Kansas City Chiefs DT] Chris Jones is another one, but just watching him when he goes head up on your center, it’s like ‘good luck.'”

Lawrence was one of the few standouts for a Giants defense that underperformed in Week 1. He had a sack and a pass breakup to go with three tackles, earning him the best defensive grade for an interior defender. His pass rush win rate was also fifth among defensive tackles, despite being double-teamed on 53% of his snaps.

The other pieces of the Giants’ pass-rush — Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns — didn’t factor much in the Week 1 results but could still present problems for Washington. About one-third of Thibodeaux’s career production has come against Washington, and Burns is a two-time Pro Bowler with 29.5 sacks in the last three seasons.

The Buccaneers brought constant pressure on Jayden Daniels in Week 1, resulting in two sacks. Daniels was able to evade the pressure on several snaps, but it resulted in him carrying the ball 16 times which is not a consistent formula for success. The Giants will likely not rush as much as the Buccaneers, but their front is talented enough to get to Daniels on its own.

So, it will be paramount for the offensive line, led by captain Tyler Biadasz, to hold its own and give Daniels as much time as possible to make plays.