The New York Giants and Washington Commanders are ready to square off in Round 2 of their season series. The two teams meet at MetLife Stadium Thursday night after playing to a 27-27 tie in Week 5. That game saw the Commanders miss an opportunity to win the game when QB Jayden Daniels ran the ball with just seconds remaining in the extra session while his team did not have a timeout. As a result, Washington did not have an opportunity to kick the winning field goal.
The Giants have taken advantage of a weak NFC East division and have risen to the top with a 5-2-1 record. They are the only team in the division with a winning record and they are coming off consecutive victories over the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles. The Commanders are coming off a 20-13 loss to the Rams, and they are just hoping to regain respectability in a division that could be there for the taking if they can get on a winning streak and the Giants lose their footing.
Commanders vs. Giants Odds
Commanders: +1.5 (-105)
Giants: -1.5 (-115)
Over: 40.5 (-115)
Under: 40.5 (-105)
Odds courtesy of DraftKings.
Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Commanders vs. Giants Key Injuries
The Commanders have three injuries to be concerned with as they prepare for Thursday night's game. Center Lucas Patricks will not play as a result of a concussion. Wide receiver Treylon Burks has a foot injury and he did not practice Wednesday. CB Amik Robertson an ankle injury and was limited Wednesday, but he could play against the Giants.
The Giants should be healthy even though they listed 11 players on their injury report. Ten of those players, including QB J.J. McCarthy, RB Cam Skattebo, OLB Abdul Carter, WR Malik Nabers and WR Darnell Mooney were all listed as full participants in Wednesday's practice session. OLB Malik Harrison has a groin issue and is listed as questionable for the game after he was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Commanders vs. Giants Betting Trends
It is interesting to note that the Commanders and Giants have played three tie games since the NFL incorporated regular-season overtime in 1974. The only other matchup with three ties involves the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
The Giants covered the spread in the first meeting between the two teams. They were 3.5-point underdogs in that matchup at FedEx Field.
The Giants have been rolling against the number this season. John Harbaugh's team is 6-2 ATS through their first eight game.
The Giants are 3-1 straight up and ATS at home.
The total in Giants' games has gone over 5 times.
The Commanders are 4-4 ATS this season.
The Commanders are 0-3 straight up on the road this season, but 2-1 ATS away from home.
The total in Commanders' games has gone over 5 times.
Keys to the Matchup
John Harbaugh has been having success in his first year as head coach of the New York Giants, and he deserves much of the credit for this team's turnaround in the first half of the season.
Prior to Harbaugh's arrival, the Giants were a sad sack team that was just hoping to avoid a last-place finish in the NFC East. Harbaugh has not let that kind of mentality develop this season, and he has gotten the players to believe in themselves.
After starting QB Jaxon Dart (knee) went down for the season, the Giants were able to acquire J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings. He has supplanted Jameis Winston in the starting lineup and he has looked been fairly promising in the four games he has played to this point. McCarthy has completed 43 of 68 passes for 622 yards with a 1-1 TD-interception ratio.
Cam Skattebo runs with plenty of power out of the backfield and he has gained 418 yards with 2 TDs while averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He will not go down after the initial hit, and he is capable of breaking away for big gains after getting through arm tackles.
Article Continues BelowIf McCarthy is capable of having a solid game, the Giants have excellent receiving talent in Nabers and tight end Isaiah Likely. Nabers is a big-play threat and has caught 53-648-2, while Likely is excellent on third-down and red zone plays with 46-448-6 this season.
Jayden Daniels has the athleticism and quick release to make big plays for the Commanders, but he must be more decisive in the pocket. His decision making is not where head coach Dan Quinn needs it to be at this point.
Daniels is completing 63.9 percent of his passes and he has thrown for 1,250 yards with a surprising 7-0 TD-interception ratio. He is also the leading rusher on the team, and that's not a good sign. He has rushed for 252 yards and 2 TDs, while Jacory Croskey-Merritt is second with 239 yards.
Stefon Diggs can be a game-changer for the Commanders. He has caught 30 passes for 303 yards and while that is not an overwhelming total, five of his receptions have been touchdowns.
Commanders vs. Giants Prediction and Pick
The Giants have at least some momentum and surprising confidence in themselves as they prepare for the second meeting with the Commanders. Playing at home in front of their ravenous fans should work out to their advantage. They need McCarthy to avoid turnovers and hit Nabers and Likely for multiple big plays.
Daniels is anxious to make up for his gaffe that cost the Commanders a probable win in the first game. He should keep Washington in the game, but look for the Giants to play an excellent fourth quarter and put the winning points on the board.
Prediction: New York Giants 27, Washington Commanders 21