Washington Commanders Set Sack Record in Loss vs. New York Giants

While the Washington Commanders offense struggled early the defense set a franchise record on the way to a 31-19 loss to the New York Giants.

LANDOVER, Md. -- The Washington Commanders didn't exactly run out to a hot start against the New York Giants in their 31-19 loss, and they didn't finish any better.

But at the end of the first quarter, the Commanders only trailed 7-3, and while the points stat line is the most important of them all there was at least one that was much more impressive.

With two sacks from linebacker David Mayo and one each from defensive end KJ Henry, cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, and defensive tackle Daron Payne, Washington got to Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito five times in the first 15 minutes of play.

The two sacks by Mayo marked a career-high and according to the team's public relations account, "Washington has recorded 5.0 sacks in the first quarter, their most official sacks in the opening quarter in franchise history."

Washington Commanders defensive end KJ Henry (55) sacks New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) during the first quarter at FedExField.  / Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Given that most NFL games feature each offense getting around 12 possessions, the five sacks on four drives had the Commanders defense on pace to sack DeVito 15 times, but we all knew that wouldn't actually happen.

Instead, DeVito got his first touchdown pass while getting sacked five times in that first quarter - the first first-quarter touchdown score by New York this season.

In the second, the Giants made adjustments and prevented Washington from getting to their quarterback as much eventually allowing him to complete a 40-yard pass to receiver Darius Slayton for his second passing score of the day.

Washington only got to DeVito once in the second quarter, but those six sacks in the first half were the most by the franchise in a first half since 1994 the team announced, and the team went into halftime with the game in reach.

By the end of the third quarter, the Commanders had sacked DeVito nine times with additional contributions from linebacker Jamin Davis and defensive end Casey Toohill.

But they also trailed New York by two points because of persistent issues with the Washington offense and a growing number of explosive plays allowed on defense.

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The Commanders didn't sack DeVito once in the fourth quarter.

And while that fact alone didn't cause the loss, it certainly didn't help it, because it turns out Washington needed 15 sacks to get a win over the Giants but fell short of that record-setting mark.