Few rivalries in the NFC East carry as much history as Washington Commanders vs New York Giants. The two franchises first met in 1932, they have played 186 regular season games, and the Giants still hold the edge in the all-time series. This Sunday, October 11, 2026, the latest chapter arrives in Week 5 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
The Giants walk in at 3-1 and sit alone atop the division after a 36-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Washington is 1-3 and last in the NFC East after a 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London. On paper the Commanders are the favorite, laying 3.5 points at home, and the main reason is simple: Jayden Daniels has been cleared to return from a dislocated left elbow.
Both teams arrive with real problems. Washington has allowed 122 points through four games, and New York lost quarterback Jaxson Dart for the season in Week 2 and has just three sacks, the lowest total in the NFL. The total for Commanders vs Giants sits around 43.5, a full five points below where it opened.
So here is everything that matters before kickoff: where each team stands, the full head-to-head history, the last meeting, the best players to watch, injury news, the betting angle, and a final score prediction. Washington Commanders vs New York Giants matches rarely feel this unpredictable, so if you can’t watch live, Commanders vs Giants highlights will be easy to find right after the final whistle.
Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels Returns to a Team Searching for Answers
Dan Quinn’s third season in Washington has not started the way anyone planned. The Commanders reached the NFC Championship Game two seasons ago, then watched injuries wreck 2025, and the first month of 2026 has brought more of the same. Washington lost 24-22 at Philadelphia in Week 1, then fell 37-20 at Dallas when Daniels dislocated his left elbow on the final play of the first half. It was the same elbow he hurt twice last season.
The best day so far came in Week 3, a 33-31 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Then London turned ugly. Marcus Mariota left with a knee injury, rookie Athan Kaliakmanis made his NFL debut in the 30-13 loss to the Colts, and Terry McLaurin sat out with a hamstring problem. Daniels practiced fully all week, and Quinn confirmed on Friday that he will start, wearing a brace on his left arm.
What Makes Washington’s Offense Tick
- Jayden Daniels is the engine, with 260 passing yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and just one sack in two games this season
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt leads the ground game with 157 yards on 56 carries, and Washington ranks eighth in rushing at 124 yards per game
- Stefon Diggs leads the team with 170 receiving yards and three touchdowns but is out with a hamstring injury, while Antonio Williams has 12 catches for 124 yards
- The defense stops the run, ranking sixth at 93.5 yards per game, but allows 30.5 points per game, 30th in the league
Washington Commanders Snapshot
| Detail | Washington Commanders |
| Division | NFC East |
| Head coach | Dan Quinn (3rd season) |
| Starting QB | Jayden Daniels |
| Home field | Northwest Stadium, Landover |
| Recent form | 1-3 to start 2026 |
| 2026 results | Lost at Eagles 24-22 (Wk 1), lost at Cowboys 37-20 (Wk 2), beat Seahawks 33-31 (Wk 3), lost to Colts 30-13 (Wk 4) |
| Key injuries | WR Stefon Diggs (out), QB Marcus Mariota (out), DE Charles Omenihu (out), S Percy Butler, Nick Cross and Tyler Owens (all out), WR Terry McLaurin (questionable), CB Trey Amos (questionable) |
Looking at the Washington Commanders standings, 1-3 is rough but not fatal. The Giants lead the division by two games, the Eagles sit at 2-2, and the Cowboys are 2-3, so nobody has run away with the NFC East. Washington has not won a divisional game yet, which makes this one the best chance to change the story. Across Washington Commanders games so far, only the Seattle win showed what this roster can do when healthy.
New York Giants: Jameis Winston Holds Together a Surprising 3-1 Start
John Harbaugh’s first season in New York began with real momentum. After a 4-13 finish last year, the Giants beat the Cowboys 28-20 on Sunday Night Football, with Dart producing 284 total yards and three touchdown passes. A week later the bottom fell out. Dart tore his meniscus and MCL on the first series of a 28-6 loss at the Rams, and edge rusher Brian Burns suffered a season-ending ACL tear soon after.
Jameis Winston has kept things afloat, though never comfortably. He won a 12-7 grinder over Tennessee without a touchdown, then threw three touchdown passes and two interceptions in last Sunday’s 36-24 win over Arizona. Deonte Banks sealed that game with a 98-yard pick-six as time expired, a week after Jevon Holland made a goal-line interception to close out the Titans. New York traded for J.J. McCarthy, but Harbaugh has said Winston remains the starter.
What Makes New York’s Offense Tick
- Jameis Winston has thrown for 479 yards and three touchdowns, but also three interceptions, and has been sacked nine times
- Cam Skattebo leads the backfield with 235 yards on 68 carries and adds eight catches for 67 yards, with Najee Harris working as the change of pace
- Malik Nabers is back from knee surgery and had his best game against Arizona, catching six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown
- Isaiah Likely has 22 catches for 190 yards and two scores, giving Winston a reliable target over the middle
New York Giants Snapshot
| Detail | New York Giants |
| Division | NFC East |
| Head coach | John Harbaugh (1st season) |
| Starting QB | Jameis Winston |
| Home field | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| Recent form | 3-1 to start 2026 |
| 2026 results | Beat Cowboys 28-20 (Wk 1), lost at Rams 28-6 (Wk 2), beat Titans 12-7 (Wk 3), beat Cardinals 36-24 (Wk 4) |
| Key injuries | DL Chauncey Golston (out), S Jason Pinnock (out), QB Jaxson Dart (season), OLB Brian Burns (IR) |
The New York Giants standings show first place at 3-1, but the way they got there is worth a second look. All three wins came by 12 points or fewer, and the offense ranks 26th in total yards. The Giants are 3-1 against the spread, and the over has hit in three of their four games. New York Giants games this month have been messy, tense, and decided late.
NFL Schedule This Week
Sunday’s game is a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff in Week 5, with FOX handling the broadcast from Landover. The Giants are looking for their first win in Washington since Week 11 of 2023. The New York Giants schedule gets tougher quickly, with a home date against the Saints, a trip to Houston, and then a Week 8 bye. The Washington Commanders schedule has a bye in Week 7, but only after a Monday night trip to San Francisco.
| Team | Next Matchup | Date | Location |
| Washington Commanders | at San Francisco 49ers (MNF) | Monday, Oct. 19 | Santa Clara, CA |
| Washington Commanders | Bye week | Week 7 | N/A |
| New York Giants | vs New Orleans Saints | Sunday, Oct. 18 (1:00 p.m. ET) | East Rutherford, NJ |
| New York Giants | at Houston Texans | Sunday, Oct. 25 (1:00 p.m. ET) | Houston, TX |
The rematch lands on Thursday Night Football on November 12 at MetLife Stadium, so this Sunday could shape the NFC East race for two games, not one.
Head-to-Head History: The Full Timeline
The Giants lead the all-time regular season series 107-74-5, and the two franchises are 1-1 in the playoffs. But the Washington Commanders vs New York Giants matches of the last two seasons have all gone one way. Washington has won four straight, including a sweep in 2024 and another in 2025, and it is the longest active streak in the series.
| Season | Winner | Location | Score | Notes |
| 2025 | Commanders | New York | 29-21 | Washington ends an eight-game losing streak |
| 2025 | Commanders | Washington | 21-6 | Commanders run for 220 yards in the opener |
| 2024 | Commanders | New York | 27-22 | Washington improves to 7-2 |
| 2024 | Commanders | Washington | 21-18 | Giants score three touchdowns, allow none, and still lose |
| 2023 | Giants | Washington | 31-19 | Giants’ last win at Northwest Stadium |
| 2023 | Giants | New York | 14-7 | Giants complete the 2023 sweep |
| 2022 | Giants | Washington | 20-12 | Giants win in Washington |
| 2022 | Tie | New York | 20-20 (OT) | First tie in the series since 1997 |
| 2021 | Washington | Washington | 30-29 | Dustin Hopkins gets a second kick after a Giants offside |
| 2021 | Washington | New York | 22-7 | First season sweep of the Giants since 2011 |
| 2020 | Giants | Washington | 23-20 | Giants take the road game |
| 2020 | Giants | New York | 20-19 | One-point Giants win |
The Washington Commanders vs New York Giants stats across the last twelve meetings are almost even: Washington has won six, New York has won five, and one ended in a tie.
Key Trends in the Series
- The only two playoff meetings were split, with Washington winning 28-0 in 1943 and the Giants winning 17-0 in the 1986 NFC Championship Game
- Nine of the last twelve meetings were decided by eight points or fewer or ended in a tie
- Washington is 42-50-2 all-time at home against the Giants
- A win Sunday would give the Commanders three straight home wins over the Giants for the first time since 1982-85
- The Giants are 2-4 against the spread in their last six meetings with Washington
Giants vs Commanders Mythology: Titans, Warriors and Ancient Battles
There is a fun side note buried in this matchup that has nothing to do with the standings. Giants vs Commanders mythology stretches back thousands of years, because giants and commanders both fill the oldest war stories we have. In Greek myth, the Gigantes rose against the Olympian gods in the Gigantomachy, a fight the gods could only win with the help of the mortal hero Heracles. In the Bible, the giant Goliath is brought down by a shepherd boy named David, and in Norse legend Thor spends his days battling the frost giants.
On the other side sits the commander. The Greeks gave us Ares as their god of war and Athena as the goddess of strategy, while the Romans called their war god Mars. Nobody in the NFL scheduling office was thinking about any of that when they put this game on the calendar, but it makes a nice coincidence. In the end, this series has always been decided by far more ordinary things, like a one-point finish in 2020, a three-point Washington win in 2024, and a quarterback’s elbow.
Three Eras of the Rivalry
Era 1: Gibbs vs. Parcells (1980s) The 1980s were the most heated stretch, with the two teams combining for seven NFC East titles and five Super Bowls. Washington won the decade 11-10, and the era included the 1985 sack that ended Joe Theismann’s career and the Giants’ 17-0 win in the 1986 NFC Championship Game.
Era 2: Giants Take Over (1990s-2010s) New York went 11-8-1 in the 1990s, 14-6 in the 2000s, and 13-7 in the 2010s, a 38-21-1 run that built the series lead the Giants still carry.
Era 3: The Modern Matchups (2020-Present) Washington is 6-5-1 in the 2020s, powered by sweeps in 2021, 2024, and 2025. The Giants won all four games in 2020 and 2023 before Daniels arrived in 2024.
The Last Time These Two Teams Met: Commanders 29, Giants 21 (Dec. 14, 2025)
Sunday’s game is still unplayed, so the December 2025 meeting remains the best snapshot of the most recent Washington Commanders vs New York Giants matches. Washington had lost eight in a row, Daniels was sidelined after aggravating his elbow, and Mariota was under center. The Giants were 2-12 with Dart back from a concussion. Jake Moody kicked three field goals, Croskey-Merritt ran in a 16-yard touchdown, and Jaylin Lane returned a punt 63 yards for a score. Mariota then hit McLaurin on a 51-yard catch-and-run early in the fourth quarter, and the Giants never got closer than eight points.
Passing Leaders
- Marcus Mariota (WAS): 10 of 19, 211 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
- Jaxson Dart (NYG): 20 of 36, 246 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Leaders
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS): 18 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD
- Jaxson Dart (NYG): 9 carries, 63 yards
Receiving Leaders
- Terry McLaurin (WAS): 3 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD
- Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG): 5 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
Both rosters look very different now, with a new head coach and a new quarterback in New York.
Where Both Teams Stand Entering Sunday’s Game
Four weeks into the season, the numbers show two teams built in opposite ways. Washington moves the ball a little better but cannot keep anyone out of the end zone, while New York defends the scoreboard well but struggles to move the ball and cannot rush the passer. Before looking at the table below, it is worth framing this Washington Commanders vs New York Giants match player stats snapshot simply: the team that wins the turnover battle and the third-down battle probably wins the game.
| Stat | Washington Commanders | New York Giants |
| Record | 1-3 | 3-1 |
| Points per game | 22.0 (16th) | 20.5 (21st) |
| Yards per game | 314.8 (19th) | 283.3 (26th) |
| Points allowed per game | 30.5 (30th) | 19.8 (8th) |
| Yards allowed per game | 336.0 (18th) | 314.3 (9th) |
| Defensive sacks | 7 | 3 (32nd) |
| Third-down offense | 31.6% (30th) | 43.4% (9th) |
| Time of possession | 31:24 (7th) | 32:41 (2nd) |
| Turnover differential | +3 | +3 |
| Starting QB | Jayden Daniels: 260 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT | Jameis Winston: 479 yds, 3 TD, 3 INT |
| Betting line | Commanders -3.5 | Giants +3.5 |
The Washington Commanders vs New York Giants stats tell an interesting story on the line of scrimmage. Washington has allowed only five sacks, tied for second fewest, while the Giants have just three sacks of their own. That helps Daniels, who will have time to work. On the other side, Winston has been sacked nine times, and Washington’s defense has to prove it can finally take advantage.
Best Top Players to Watch
Both rosters have players who can swing a close game, so the Washington Commanders vs New York Giants matches usually come down to which stars show up. The Washington Commanders vs New York Giants match player stats through four weeks point to these names as the ones worth circling.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington. The most important player on the field. He missed two games with the elbow, but in his two starts he threw three touchdowns without an interception. His legs also force defenses to stay honest.
Jameis Winston, QB, New York. Winston is the definition of high risk, high reward. He has three touchdowns and three interceptions, and he was sacked nine times in three games. If Washington pressures him, the mistakes will come.
Malik Nabers, WR, New York. Fresh off his best game of the season, Nabers caught six passes for 112 yards against Arizona. He had soreness in his surgically repaired right knee early in the week but practiced fully on Friday and is ready to play.
Cam Skattebo, RB, New York. The Giants’ leading rusher has 235 yards and a touchdown. He faces a Washington run defense ranked sixth, so his workload as a receiver will matter just as much.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington. He leads Washington with 157 rushing yards and gives the offense a steady ground presence. The Giants rank 15th against the run, so he should get his chances.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington. McLaurin missed the London game with a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable after a limited practice on Friday. With Diggs out, Daniels badly needs him.
Arvell Reese, LB, New York. The fifth overall pick leads the Giants with 34 tackles. The rookie will have a big say in how much room Daniels gets to work.
Coaching Matchup: Quinn vs. Harbaugh
Dan Quinn and John Harbaugh lead teams at opposite ends of the early standings, and the contrast is clear. Harbaugh is a Super Bowl-winning coach in his first year in New York, while Quinn has built Washington around Daniels.
| Factor | Washington (Quinn) | New York (Harbaugh) |
| Experience level | 3rd season, NFC Championship Game two years ago | 1st season, Super Bowl-winning coach |
| Quarterback situation | Daniels returns from elbow injury | Winston starting, McCarthy backup, Dart out |
| Offensive identity | Daniels’ legs, a top-eight rushing attack | Skattebo, Nabers, and Likely |
| Defensive concern | 30th in points allowed, safeties missing | Last in sacks, third-down defense 30th |
| Program status | Underperforming but healthier at quarterback | Overachieving despite major injuries |
Neither coach has much room for error on Sunday.
Betting Angle: What the Odds Say
The line for Commanders vs Giants moved in Washington’s favor once Daniels was cleared. The spread opened at Washington -3 at some books and now sits at -3.5, while FanDuel opened with the Giants as 3.5-point underdogs. At DraftKings, the Commanders are around -175 on the moneyline and the Giants around +145. The total opened at 48.5 and has dropped to roughly 43.5.
The Washington Commanders vs New York Giants stats on trends point in a few directions. The Giants are 3-1 against the spread and 3-1 to the over, while the Commanders are 2-2 against the spread and 2-2 to the over. The Giants are 2-4 against the spread in their last six meetings with Washington, and the average combined score in the last eight meetings is just 38.5 points. Anyone leaning on Washington Commanders vs New York Giants match player stats before making a pick should watch the turnover battle, because the game could swing on it.
Prediction: Commanders 24, Giants 20
This one has the feel of a one-score game, and the Washington Commanders vs New York Giants stats back that up. Washington’s injuries are the biggest concern, with Diggs, Mariota, Omenihu, and three safeties out. But Daniels’ return changes the offense, and it should help a team that already runs the ball well.
The Giants have problems too. Winston has thrown three interceptions and taken nine sacks, and the pass rush has not gotten home all season. Skattebo and Nabers are good enough to keep New York in the game, but New York ranks 26th in total offense and needed a late pick-six to beat Arizona. If Washington protects Daniels and avoids giving the ball away, it should find enough points.
The edge belongs to Washington because of Daniels, the home crowd, and a Giants offense that has struggled to move the ball. Expert picks are split, with some leaning Commanders by three to six points and others taking the Giants outright, and a final score around 24-20 fits that range.
Where to Watch Washington Commanders vs New York Giants
- TV: FOX, with Chris Myers (play-by-play), Jonathan Vilma (analyst), and Megan Olivi (sideline)
- Streaming: NFL+ for out-of-market viewers
- Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland
- Commanders radio: BIG 100 (WBIG-FM) with Bram Weinstein, London Fletcher, and Logan Paulsen
- Giants radio: WFAN 101.9 FM and 66 AM with Bob Papa, Carl Banks, and Howard Cross
The short answer on where to watch Washington Commanders vs New York Giants is FOX, and a full set of Commanders vs Giants highlights will be posted on NFL.com and the league’s social channels shortly after the game ends.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Washington’s season hinges on whether Daniels can stay healthy and whether the defense can find any stability. The Washington Commanders standings will look very different at 2-3 than at 1-4, and the next few Washington Commanders games include a Monday night trip to San Francisco, a Week 7 bye, and a Sunday Night Football date with the Eagles.
A win would put the Giants at 4-1 and give them a firm grip on the NFC East. The New York Giants standings after Sunday will show whether this team is real or just lucky, and the next few New York Giants games, starting with the Saints and a trip to Houston, will answer that. The New York Giants schedule then hands them a Week 8 bye. The Thursday night rematch on November 12 is already circled for both sides.
Check Also: Jacksonville Jaguars, Match Player Stats, Philadelphia Eagles, Bijan Robinson | Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Myles Garrett
Quick FAQs
The Giants lead 107-74-5 in the regular season, and the playoff series is tied 1-1.
Yes, twice. Washington won in 1943, and the Giants won the 1986 NFC Championship Game.
December 14, 2025. Washington won 29-21.
Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Yes. Dan Quinn confirmed Daniels has been cleared and will start.
The game is on FOX, with streaming on NFL+.
The player numbers in this article cover the key names, and complete box score numbers will be available after the game.
Washington is a 3.5-point home favorite, and the total is around 43.5.
Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt for Washington, plus Jameis Winston, Malik Nabers, and Cam Skattebo for New York.
Source: NFL
