Who/When/Where/What/Result — The Washington Commanders open the 2025 regular season against the New York Giants this Week 1 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD, kickoff Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Washington arrives off a 12-5 2024 campaign that ended in the NFC Championship game; New York finished 3-14 last season but reshaped its roster in the off-season and will start veteran Russell Wilson at quarterback while integrating rookie Jaxson Dart and other additions.
Key Takeaways
- The Giants enter Week 1 with a new-look QB room: Russell Wilson will start while Jaxson Dart remains in development.
- New York beefed up its defensive front, adding Abdul Carter alongside Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns.
- Offensive approach may split: pro-style/play-action for veterans, RPO-heavy packages for Dart.
- Run defense and cornerback consistency remain potential weak spots for the Giants.
- Players to watch: OL James Hudson (possible LT) and rookie DT Darius Alexander.
- Washington should try to establish the run and limit targets to Malik Nabers to make the Giants one-dimensional.
Verified Facts
Game basics: the matchup is scheduled for Week 1 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD with a 1:00 p.m. EDT kickoff on Sunday. The Commanders reached the 2024 NFC Championship after a 12-5 regular season. The Giants went 3-14 in 2024 and held the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Quarterback changes: New York released Daniel Jones late in the 2024 season, then signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency and used a first-round pick in 2025 on Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart after trading back into the first round. Team announcements and preseason reports indicate Russell Wilson will start Week 1.
Offensive game plans: reports and preseason observations indicate head coach Brian Daboll has installed two distinct packages. A pro-style, play-action system is set up to create downfield opportunities for Wilson or Winston, while a more college-style RPO package has been prepared for Dart’s situational use.
Defensive construction: the Giants added edge rusher Abdul Carter in 2025 and return All-Pro interior presence Dexter Lawrence alongside edge rusher Brian Burns. The team also signed cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland, aiming to improve the secondary depth.
Roster concerns: despite upgrades up front, questions remain about New York’s run defense and at the second starting cornerback spot, where 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks has struggled and Cor’Dale Flott has competed for snaps.
Context & Impact
What this means for the Giants: after a 3-14 season, the front office retooled aggressively. The front-seven additions are intended to transform an edge-driven unit capable of creating pressure and shaping opponents’ playcalling. If the pass rush delivers, defensive game-planning flexibility increases; if the run defense lags, opponents can neutralize the pass rush by sustaining drives.
What this means for Washington: the Commanders must balance early-game aggression with ball security. Facing a defensive line that includes Lawrence, Burns and Carter, Washington will benefit from establishing the run to keep the Giants from dictating down-and-distance and unleashing pass-rush subpackages.
- Short-term impact: Week 1 will be an early test of how quickly new Giants pieces (Wilson as starter, rookies and recent signings) operate together under game conditions.
- Long-term impact: sustained performance from the front four could accelerate New York’s rebuild; persistent issues in the secondary or run defense would limit upside.
“We’ve got two offense looks and a much deeper defensive front. The Week 1 tape will tell us how the pieces are settling in,”
Ed Valentine, Big Blue View (summary)
Unofficial / Unconfirmed Items
- Whether Jaxson Dart will see meaningful early regular-season snaps beyond occasional packages is not finalized.
- Reports that Russell Wilson’s scrambling ability has declined are observational and not a firm metric for Week 1 game planning.
- A presumed Week 1 starting role for James Hudson at left tackle depends on Andrew Thomas’s recovery status and final practice designations.
Bottom Line
This Week 1 matchup pairs a playoff-caliber Commanders roster against a Giants team in transition. New York’s investment along the defensive line and new quarterback competition create intrigue, but inconsistencies in the secondary and run defense keep the contest uncertain. The opener will reveal whether the Giants’ offseason additions can produce immediate results or whether Washington’s experience and continuity give it the edge.