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'It's A Low Point': Coach Ron Rivera In Trouble as Washington Commanders Doomed by 6 Turnovers In 31-19 Loss to Giants

'It's A Low Point': Coach Ron Rivera In Trouble as Washington Commanders Doomed by 6 Turnovers In 31-19 Loss to Giants

Nathaniel Marrero

In this story:

Could the Washington Commanders get their first divisional win on Sunday? That was the goal in mind when they rematched against the New York Giants at 1 p.m. ET at FedEx Field. 

But it did not go that way.

'It's a low point, that's for sure,'' said a solemn coach Ron Rivera - who figures to be in job trouble now as Washington was doomed by six turnovers in this 31-19 loss to the Giants.

In their first meeting on Oct. 22, the Commanders (now 4-7) were stymied by a dominant performance from the lowly Giants in a 14-7 loss at MetLife Stadium. Washington quarterback Sam Howell was sacked six times in the loss. 

And what went wrong this time? Allow us to take you through the dismal day ...

Sam Howell was sacked five times in the first half by the New York Giants.
Sam Howell was sacked five times in the first half by the New York Giants :: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Since then, Howell has found his stride, throwing for over 300 yards in three straight games, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Washington has gone 1-2 in that span, while the Giants are on a three-game losing streak.

Howell 'Excited For Challenge' vs. Giants

New York will be without quarterback Tyrod Taylor because of a rib injury. Taylor threw two touchdowns against the Commanders. They'll also be without their top receiving option, tight end Darren Waller, because of a hamstring injury.

With quarterback Daniel Jones out for the season due to a torn ACL, Tommy DeVito will get the second start of his NFL career under center. He completed 14 of 27 passes for 87 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the Giants' 49-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 12.

Washington will be without running back Antonio Gibson due to a toe injury. Gibson had five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown in Washington's 29-26 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday. 

WHAT: New York Giants (2-8, 1-5 Road) at Washington Commanders (4-6, 1-3 Home)

WHERE: FedExField, Landover, MD (67,617)

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, 1 p.m. ET

TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)

RADIO: WMAL 105.9

Get your tickets at SI Tickets

Betting via SI SportsBook

SPREAD: Commanders -9.5

TOTAL: 36.5

MONEYLINE: Giants +340, Commanders -450

Stay here for live updates and highlights throughout the game.

1ST QUARTER:

The Giants get the ball at their 25-yard line to start the game. Saquon Barkley loses three yards, then Tommy Devito completes a pass to Wan'Dale Robinson for three yards. On third and 10, DeVito's pass to Barkley gains 21 yards to move the chains. 

The drive stalls for New York, as DeVito is sacked twice, including one by KJ Henry for a two-yard loss on third down. Commanders defensive Efe Obada is stretchered off of the field with a knee injury.

The punt from Jamie Gillian goes into the end zone for a touchback.

End of possession

Sam Howell completes a pass to Terry McLaurin for four yards, and then Brian Robinson runs for three. Howell scrambles for eight yards and a first down. 

Howell goes deep and is intercepted by Nick McCloud and he's tackled at the Giants' 13-yard line.

End of possession

Barkley runs for a yard and then he loses two. On third and 11, DeVito's pass to Daniel Bellinger gains seven yards. 

Jamison Crowder returns the punt just two yards to the Commanders' 36-yard line.

End of possession

Howell's pass to Terry McLaurin gains 11 yards. 

Logan Thomas is hit after the catch and fumbles. It's recovered by Xavier McKinney at the Commanders' 45-yard line.

End of possession

DeVito is sacked for a three-yard loss Benjamin St-Juste then throws an incompletion on second down. On third and 13, Devito's pass to Darius Slayton gains 24 yards to the Commanders' 24-yard line. Commanders safety Percy Butler is down on the field.

DeVito goes deep and completes a pass to Barkley for a 24-yard touchdown. 

Randy Bullock's extra point is good with 6:29 left in the first quarter.

Giants 7, Commanders 0

End of possession

The Commanders begin the drive at their 25-yard line after the touchback. 

Howell's pass to Thomas gains eight yards and Robinson runs for three to move the chains.  

Howell's pass to Robinson gains 18 yards to the Giants' 45-yard line.

Robinson runs for 11 yards to move the chains again. 

Howell's pass to Robinson gains 29 yards to the Giants' five-yard line. 

Derrick Gore runs for a yard then Howell throws back-to-back incompletions to make it fourth and goal. 

Joey Slye's 23-yard field goal is good with 2:12 left in the first quarter.

Giants 7, Commanders 3

End of possession

The Giants begin the drive at their 25-yard line after Slye's touchback. 

DeVito is sacked by John Ridgeway for a one-yard loss the Barkley loses two yards on the carry. DeVito is sacked again on third down for a five-yard loss by Daron Payne. Washington has five sacks in the first quarter. 

Crowder loses five yards on the punt return to the Commanders' 24-yard line.

End of possession

Howell's pass to Curtis Samuel gains four yards on the final play of the first quarter.

End of the quarter

2ND QUARTER:

Robinson runs for two yards and then he's stopped for no gain on third and two. 

The punt is returned by Gunnar Olszewski nine yards to the Giants' 25-yard line.

End of possession

DeVito completes a pass to Barkley for seven yards and then Slayton for 12 yards.

DeVito's pass to Isaiah Hodgins gains 16 yards to the Commanders' 42-yard line on second down. 

DeVito's pass is complete to Bellinger for six yards and then Barkley runs for two. On third and two, Matt Breida is topped for no gain. New York calls its first timeout of the game with 10:18 left in the first quarter.

Washington goes for it and DeVito's pass is incomplete. Emmanuel Forbes is down on the field with an arm injury.

End of possession

Robinson runs for two yards and then Howell's pass is nearly intercepted on second down before falling incomplete. Howell is sacked on third and eight by Dexter Lawrence for an eight-yard loss.

Olszewski returns the punt six yards to the Giants' 38-yard line with 8:43 left in the first half.

End of possession

DeVito's pass on first down is batted down and Wan'Dale Robinson runs for a yard on second down. DeVito and Robinson connect for 12 yards to the Commanders' 49-yard line and a first down. 

DeVito's pass to Jalin Hyatt gains seven yards. Barkley runs for two yards. On third and one, DeVito goes deep and finds Slayton for a 40-yard touchdown. 

The extra point by Bullock is good with 5:58 left in the first half. 

Giants 14, Commanders 3

End of possession

Bullock's kickoff goes through the end zone for a touchback. 

Robinson runs for four yards and then six to move the chains. 

Howell's pass to McLaurin gains seven yards and then Robinson runs for three to move the chains. 

Chris Rodriguez Jr. runs for nine yards to the Giants' 44-yard line. Howell's pass to John Bates gains eight yards to move the chains again.

Robinson runs for 11 yards to the Giants' 25-yard line on the final play before the two-minute warning. 

Howell's pass to Robinson gains six yards before he's pushed out of bounds. Howell throws it away on second down. On third and three, Howell's pass is complete to McLaurin for 11 yards to the Giants' seven-yard line. New York calls its second timeout of the half with 1:42 left. 

On first and goal, Robinson is stopped for no gain. The Giants call their final timeout with 1:36 left in the first half. Howell bounces off of multiple defenders and then he runs it into the end zone before being pushed down by Xavier McKinney. A huge fight breaks out between Charles Leno and McKinney and players from both teams get involved. Howell was down on the field and is now in the medical tent.

Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott and Commanders receiver Curtis Samuel were ejected.

Slye's extra point is no good with 1:32 left in the first half.

Giants 14, Commanders 9

End of possession

After the touchback, DeVito's pass to Hodgins gains five yards before he goes out of bounds. DeVito is sacked for an eight-yard loss and Washington calls its first timeout with 1:23 left in the first half. DeVito's pass to Slayton is dropped on what would have been a first down. 

Crowder calls for a fair catch at the Commanders' 41-yard line with 1:10 left in the first half.

End of possession

Howell's pass to Byron Pringle loses two yards and then the quarterback is sacked for an eight-yard loss by Kayvon Thibodeaux. Washington calls its second timeout with 35 seconds left in the second quarter. On third and 20, Howell's pass to Jahan Dotson only gains three yards on the final play of the first half.

Halftime: Giants 14, Commanders 9 

3RD QUARTER:

On the opening kickoff, Byron Pringle fumbles and the Giants recover it at the Commanders' 34-yard line.

Tommy DeVito is sacked by Casey Toohill for a six-yard loss. DeVito throws an incomplete pass. On third down, DeVito is sacked again for a four-yard loss. The Commanders' defense has eight sacks.

Crowder calls for a fair catch at the Commanders' eight-yard line.

End of possession 

Howell's pass to Robinson only gains a yard. Robinson runs for six yards. On third and three, Howell scrambles for 25 yards before going out of bounds. 

Robinson runs for four yards. Howell's pass to Dyami Brown gains seven for another first down. 

Robinson is stopped for no gain. Howell's pass is incomplete, but Giants defensive tackle D.J. Davidson was offsides, moving Washington up five yards. Howell's pass to Rodriguez gains five yards to move the chains again at the Giants' 43-yard line.

Howell's pass to John Bates gains seven yards and then Rodriguez runs for seven yards for another first down. 

Howell's pass on first down is incomplete. Robinson is stopped for a one-yard loss. On third and 11, Howell's pass to Crowder on a screen gains six yards. 

Slye's 42-yard field goal is good with 5:43 left in the third quarter.

Giants 14, Commanders 12

End of possession

The Giants begin the drive at their 25-yard line after Slye's touchback. 

DeVito's pass to Wan'Dale Robinson gains 20 yards. 

DeVito's pass is incomplete and an ineligible man downfield will move the Giants back five yards. On first and 15, DeVito throws another incompletion. DeVito is sacked for a ninth time, this time for a seven-yard loss. Devito's pass to Sterling Shepard gains five yards on third and 22.

Crowder returns the punt three yards to the Commanders' 23-yard line.

End of possession

Robinson runs for 17 yards on first down. 

Robinson gets another carry but is stopped for no gain. Howell's pass to Thomas gains eight yards. On third and two, Rodriguez runs for 16 yards to the Giants' 35-yard line.

Rodriguez fumbles and it's recovered by the Giants at their 32-yard line.

End of possession

Barkley breaks a huge run for 36 yards to the Commanders' 32-yard line before going out of bounds. That's the final play of the third quarter. 

End of the quarter

4TH QUARTER:

DeVito's pass to Bellinger goes for 26 yards before he's pushed out of bounds at the Commanders' six-yard line.

Barkley runs for a yard on first and goal. DeVito's pass is incomplete on second and goal. On third and goal, Devito's pass is completed to Barkley for a touchdown. 

Bullock's extra point is good with 13:32 left in the game.

Giants 21, Commanders 12

End of possession

Washington begins the drive at its 25-yard line after the touchback from Bullock. 

Howell's pass to Thomas gains seven yards before he's pushed out of bounds. Robinson runs for five yards to move the chains. 

Howell's pass intended for Robinson is incomplete. Robinson is stopped for no gain. On third and 10, Howell's arm is hit as he throws and it's intercepted by Darnay Holmes for the Commanders' fifth turnover of the game. New York has the ball at its 36-yard line with 11:11 left in the game.

End of possession

Barkley runs for nine yards. He gets another handoff and runs for four yards to move the chains near midfield. 

Barkley breaks a huge run for 36 yards to Washington's 13-yard line. That's Barkley's second 36-yard run of the second half.

Breida runs for three yards. He gets another carry and loses four yards. On third and 11, Barkley runs for one yard. 

Bullock's 36-yard field goal is good with 6:51 left in the game.

Giants 24, Commanders 12

End of possession

Washington begins the drive at its 25-yard line after the touchback. 

Howell's pass to Robinson gains three yards. Howell finds Dotson for a 12-yard gain. 

Howell is sacked by Thibodeaux for a five-yard loss. Howell gets sacked again, this time by multiple Giants defenders for a six-yard loss. Howell's pass to Brown gains 10 yards on third and 20. 

On fourth and 10, Howell completes a pass to Robinson and he turns it into a 22-yard gain to the Giants' 38-yard line before he's pushed out of bounds. 

Howell and McLaurin connect for a nine-yard gain. Howell throws back-to-back incompletions, including a drop by Brown on third down to make it fourth and one. 

On fourth and one, Howell is stopped short but Giants defensive end Jihad Ward was flagged for being offsides, giving the Commanders a first down.

Howell goes deep for McLaurin and it's incomplete. Howell throws it away, but Thibodeaux is flagged for roughing the passer which moves Washington up to the Giants' 11-yard line. 

Howell's pass is complete to Robinson and he fumbles, but this time it's recovered by Washington. On second down, Howell's pass to Dotson is complete for an eight-yard touchdown. 

The extra point by Slye is good with 2:16 left in the game. 

Giants 24, Commanders 19

End of possession

Slye's kickoff goes through the end zone for a touchback. 

Barkley runs for two yards. Washington calls its first timeout of the second half with 2:11 left in the game. Barkley is stopped for a one-yard loss and the Commanders call their second timeout with 2:06 remaining. On third and nine, DeVito scrambles for seven yards. The game has reached the two-minute warning.

Crowder goes out of bounds at the Commanders' 19-yard line.

End of possession

Howell's pass to Robinson gains six yards before he goes out of bounds. Howell and Pringle connect for a 14-yard gain.

Howell's pass is dropped by Robinson with 1:19 left in the game. Howell is intercepted by Tre Hawkins, but illegal contact on him saves Washington and gives them a first down. 

Washington has the ball at its 44-yard line. Howell throws it away on first down. He finds Thomas for a nine-yard gain to the Giants' 48-yard line. Before third and one, the Giants call a timeout with 43 seconds left in the game. Howell's pass to Crowder gains five yards to move the chains. 

Charles Leno moves early for a false start. Because the clock was running, the Commanders used their final timeout to avoid a 10-second timeout with 29 seconds left in the game.

On first and 15, Howell is intercepted by Isaiah Simmons and he runs it back 54 yards for a touchdown to ice the game. 

Bullock's extra point is good with 16 seconds left in the game.

Giants 31, Commanders 19

End of possession

Pringle returns the kickoff to the Commanders' 39-yard line. Gore runs for 23 yards and that's the game.

FINAL: Giants 31, Commanders 19

Published
Nathaniel Marrero
NATHANIEL MARRERO

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