There was no recourse for the Giants. Win, or else slip into irrelevance before Halloween. No treats for the remainder of the season.
There was no other option for the Giants. Find a way to end their losing ways and beat the Commanders Sunday at MetLife Stadium, by any means necessary. Win and there would be a pulse. Lose and the Giants flatline.
Well, it did not come easy because this is the Giants, circa 2023. They finally scored an actual touchdown and took a 14-0 lead into halftime. They blew several chances to take command — a dropped interception by Kayvon Thibodeaux and a dreadful fumble by Saquon Barkley — but found a way to secure a 14-7 victory.
The Giants needed a defensive stand to survive. On fourth down from the Giants’ 7-yard line, Sam Howell was pressured by Isaiah Simmons, who failed to come up with the sack. Howell fired slightly behind Jahan Dotson, who did not make the catch as safety Jason Pinnock closed in with 56 seconds remaining.
Here’s a headline: The Giants scored one touchdown — their first in 220 minutes and 42 seconds of clock time — and then, five minutes and 22 seconds later, scored another one, a second-quarter eruption that had been a long time coming.
Thus ends a four-game losing streak, allowing the Giants (2-5) to at least think about making something of this season as they move on to their Week 8 encounter with the Jets, which is always a funky and emotion-filled affair.
Tyrod Taylor started his second straight game in place of Daniel Jones, who has yet to be cleared from a neck injury that might be healed up by this week.
Coach Brian Daboll has said when Jones is healthy he is the starter, no questions asked. Taylor played a superb first half, completing 14 of 22 passes for 209 yards and touchdown passes to Darren Waller and Barkley.