WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

The Giants’ first three possessions resulted in a missed field goal and two punts. Tyrone Tracy Jr. broke through with a 12-yard touchdown run on the fourth drive, stopping Washington’s 13 unanswered points to start the game.

Making his ninth NFL start, Dart completed 20 of 36 passes for 246 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, which Mike Sainristil returned 55 yards to set up a Jake Moody field goal as time expired in the first half. Dart also ran nine times for 63 yards, including a 29-yard scramble three plays before Tracy’s touchdown run.

Dart momentarily exited the game with 11:28 fourth quarter. Jameis Winston replaced him for two plays, entering on second-and-goal. After two unsuccessful plays, Dart returned on fourth down and threw an incomplete pass for a turnover on downs.

After the Giants had cut the deficit to 13-7 and were set to receive the second-half kickoff, the Commanders scored nine points in the final 65 seconds of the second quarter on a punt return touchdown (missed extra point) and a field goal.

The Giants possessed the ball for less than 12 minutes in the first half, but they came out of the break with a seven-play, 82-yard scoring drive that resulted in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Dart to Tracy. It was the converted wide receiver’s second touchdown catch of his career and first of the season.

Overall, Tracy had 97 yards from scrimmage and scored a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game for the first time of his career.

The Giants converted just two third downs on 12 attempts.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

Outside linebacker Abdul Carter started on Sunday and tackled running back Jeremy McNichols for a loss on the first play of the game. The third overall pick had not started two of the previous three games due to a coach’s decision. Carter also drew a holding penalty on Washington’s opening drive.

Carter was just getting started. He strip-sacked Marcus Mariota on the second drive of the game. The Commanders recovered the fumble, but the play forced them out of field goal range. Carter now has sacks in back-to-back games and 2.5 on the season.

Carter, who also recovered a fumble late in the fourth quarter, ended the afternoon with three tackles for loss after having just one in his first 13 games.

Mariota started for the seventh time this season in place of the injured Jayden Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin broke the game open with a 51-yard touchdown on a catch-and-run, giving Washington a 29-14 lead with 13:46 remaining in in the fourth quarter.

Second-year inside linebacker Darius Muasau returned from injured reserve and led the team with 11 tackles. It was his first game since suffering an ankle injury in Week 9.

Safety Dane Belton had a strip-sack late in the game, which Brian Burns recovered and returned 23 yards. The Giants capitalized on the takeaway with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Dart to wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson on the ensuing possession.

Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux has not played since Week 10 due to a shoulder injury.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS

The Giants, who have already used three different kickers this season, played their second punter of the year on Sunday. The left-footed Jamie Gillan was unable to suit up due to a left knee injury. The Giants called up veteran Cameron Johnston, who was signed to the practice squad on Wednesday.

Washington’s Jaylin Lane returned Johnston’s third punt 63 yards for a touchdown late in the first half. It was the second consecutive game the Giants allowed a punt return touchdown; New England’s Marcus Jones had a 94-yarder on Monday Night Football.

Johnston also took Gillan’s spot as the holder for Younghoe Koo, who missed a 53-yard field goal attempt wide left on the Giants’ first possession. Koo later missed a 51-yard attempt short and left on the first play of the fourth quarter. They were Koo’s only field goal attempts of the game.

Gunner Olszewski, the Giants’ primary returner for both punts and kickoffs, was inactive after suffering a concussion before the bye week. Cornerback Deonte Banks and running back Devin Singletary handled kickoff returns, while safety Jevón Holland returned punts.

WAS: WR Noah Brown (rib), CB Darius Rush (groin), LT Laremy Tunsil (shoulder/oblique), TE Colson Yankoff (ankle), DT Eddie Goldman (evaluated for concussion)

NYG: OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder), WR Ryan Miller, P Jamie Gillan (left knee), T James Hudson III, WR Gunner Olszewski (concussion), DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. (ankle), QB Russell Wilson (3rd QB)

WAS: QB Jayden Daniels (left elbow), DE Drake Jackson (groin/knee), T George Fant (knee), CB Jonathan Jones (rib), T Trenton Scott, RB Chris Rodriguez (groin)

NYG: WR Ryan Miller (claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay), WR Dalen Cambre (free agent signings from NYG practice squad), OLB Tomon Fox (free agent signings from NYG practice squad), DL Elijah Chatman (standard elevation), P Cameron Johnston (standard elevation), ILB Darius Muasau (activated from Reserve/Injured), OLB Victor Dimukeje (placed on injured reserve), CB Nic Jones (placed on injured reserve), CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (waived)

WAS: CB Darius Rush (standard elevation)