Giants vs. Commanders: Preview, prediction, what to watch for in Week…
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Giants vs. Commanders: Preview, prediction, what to watch for in Week 1
Giants CB Paulson Adebo will likely cover Commander WR Terry McLaurin on the left side. Five-time Pro Bowl selection Laremy Tunsil will start his 125th NFL game for the Commanders. The much-hyped Giants pass rush, featuring Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie Abdul Carter as outside rushers, will go against two new Commanders offensive tackles. The Giants’ explosive pass play percentage of 11.1 percent was 28th in the league in 2024. The Commanders were the one and only team in the NFC East the Giants could handle since Brian Daboll arrived in 2022, winning three games, tying one game and not losing any. The Commander’s two-game sweep last season, with eight receptions for just 41 yards, included a 27-0 loss to the Giants that included two failed 2-point conversions. There was a fluky-18 loss when the Giants were outscored 3-0 in touchdowns.
An inside look at Sunday’s Giants-Commanders NFL Week 1 matchup at Northwest Stadium:
Marquee matchup
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin vs. Giants CB Paulson Adebo
Is Adebo in his Giants debut going to travel across the field to cover McLaurin as much as possible?
That is not the way Adebo was utilized with the Saints — he almost always lined up on the right side.
McLaurin almost always lines up on the left side, so it could be Cor’Dale Flott on early downs and Deonte Banks on third down tasked more often than not with dealing with Washington’s $95 million man.
4 Paulson Adebo is pictured during the Giants’ June 12 practice. Charles Wenzelberg
4 Terry McLaurin is pictured during a January 2025 game for the Commanders. AP
McLaurin was held completely in check in the Commander’s two-game sweep last season, with eight receptions for just 41 yards.
Four downs
On the edge
The much-hyped Giants pass rush, featuring Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie Abdul Carter as outside rushers, will go against two new Commanders offensive tackles.
Five-time Pro Bowl selection Laremy Tunsil on the left side was acquired in a trade with the Texans.
He will start his 125th NFL game.
Tunsil last season led the league with a staggering 19 penalties, including 12 false starts.
On the right side, rookie Josh Conerly Jr. makes his pro debut.
He was the 29th pick in the draft out of Oregon.
Losing reliable guard Sam Cosmi to a torn ACL in the playoffs last year was a blow.
Tackle eligible
No Andrew Thomas (listed as doubtful coming off foot surgery) means it will be James Hudson, making his Giants debut, starting at left tackle.
4 James Hudson (r.) will likely be tasked with starting at right tackle in Week 1 for the Giants. Charles Wenzelberg
Hudson started 17 games in four years with the Browns and was a bit of an agitator in training camp with the defensive linemen.
“Does have an aggressive side to him,” coach Brian Daboll said. “Kind of a defensive mentality at times.”
The Washington edge rushers are not exactly world-beaters.
Deatrich Wise had 34 career sacks in eight seasons (126 games) for the Patriots, and Dorance Armstrong totaled 28 sacks in seven NFL seasons, the first six with the Cowboys.
Listen up
When a special teams meeting is going on, Daboll sometimes pops his head into the quarterbacks room, and often he sees Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson sitting inside, conversing with the guys who throw them the ball.
There is a desperate need for more explosive plays and perhaps improved communication and chemistry will make a difference.
4 The Giants will need more explosive plays from their offense and Malik Nabers (1) this season. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
“Those communication meetings, if you will, when it’s not just the quarterbacks because they’re always meeting, when the other guys jump in during those meetings, it’s helpful,” Daboll said.
The Giants’ explosive pass play percentage of 11.1 percent was 28th in the league in 2024.
Serious series
The Commanders were the one and only team in the NFC East the Giants could handle since Daboll arrived in 2022, winning three games, tying one game and not losing any.
Then came the 2024 season, as Washington swept the two-game series.
There was not much separating these teams on the field — just eight points.
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There was a fluky 21-18 loss when the Giants were without a kicker and outscored the Commanders 3-0 in touchdowns, followed by a 27-22 loss that included two failed 2-point conversions by the Giants.
Paul’s pick
Tough first game?
Sure.
Get used to it with this gauntlet of a schedule the Giants were assigned this season.
This is a healthy team (21 of the projected 22 starters are ready to roll) with renewed vigor, trotting out a new starting quarterback for the first time in six years.
How much does Russell Wilson have left in the tank?
We start getting answers now.
It looks as if the defensive front will be able to get after the opposing quarterback, but can it lay a glove on slippery Jayden Daniels?
Commanders 27, Giants 17
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/09/07/sports/giants-vs-commanders-preview-prediction-what-to-watch-for-5/