Lead: On Sept. 7, 2025 in Landover, Md., Russell Wilson made his first regular-season appearance for the New York Giants and the result was a 21-6 season-opening loss to the Washington Commanders. The Giants managed just 231 yards of offense, converted 4 of 16 third downs and settled for field goals after multiple red-zone failures. Key blockers were absent — left tackle Andrew Thomas was sidelined — and Wilson was hit eight times. The defeat leaves the Giants 0-1 and facing urgent questions ahead of a Week 2 trip to Dallas.
Key takeaways
- Final score: Commanders 21, Giants 6; New York totaled 231 offensive yards and 168 passing yards from Russell Wilson (17-for-37).
- Third‑down drought: Giants went 4-for-16 on third downs and ran 13 red-zone plays but scored only three points.
- Run defense broken: New York allowed 220 rushing yards; Jayden Daniels passed for 223 yards, threw one TD and rushed for 68 yards.
- Protection issues: With Andrew Thomas out, Wilson was hit eight times and the pocket repeatedly collapsed.
- Play-calling balance: Giants’ three running backs combined for 15 carries and 30 yards; Mike Kafka called 12 red-zone pass plays of 13 total attempts.
- Discipline swing: A roughing-the-passer penalty on Bobby Wagner wiped out an interception with 3:46 left, extending New York’s chance that ultimately failed.
- Historical note: The Giants opened 0-1 for the eighth time in nine seasons and came into 2025 after a 3-14 finish in 2024.
Background
The Giants entered 2025 with elevated expectations after an offseason that added veteran Russell Wilson to an offense that ranked 31st in scoring a year earlier. Ownership and management framed the move as a bridge to improved efficiency behind a largely returning starting lineup, but the team also carried longstanding offensive-line concerns into the opener. Left tackle Andrew Thomas’s absence further exposed a unit that has struggled to sustain protection and open running lanes.
Brian Daboll’s coaching staff emphasized a stronger run-pass balance during training camp, and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was expected to find creative ways to maximize Wilson’s experience and mobility. Still, New York’s 2024 collapse to 3-14 stiffened the margin for error: early-season losses historically have correlated with longer rebuild timelines for the franchise. Fans and analysts saw the season opener as a referendum on whether offseason changes would produce meaningful improvement.
Main event
The Commanders took control early and never relinquished it. Washington’s Jayden Daniels mixed designed runs and intermediate throws to keep the Giants’ defense off balance; he finished with 223 passing yards, a touchdown and 68 rushing yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. New York’s offense repeatedly stalled inside the red zone — seven plays inside the 8-yard line yielded no touchdown — and the team settled for Graham Gano field goals that never threatened a comeback.
Offensive line breakdowns were visible on multiple series. With Andrew Thomas inactive, the Giants’ tackle spots rotated and Wilson was pressured and hit eight times. That pressure limited the play-action and boots that had been part of the preseason plan, forcing a higher proportion of quick throws and checkdowns; those plays rarely led to chunk gains. Running backs were kept to 15 carries for 30 yards, a sign the ground game was not a viable counter on this night.
A turning-point sequence came late in the third quarter. Wilson’s interception at 3:46 remaining was nullified by a roughing-the-passer penalty on Bobby Wagner, giving New York a second life. The offense failed to convert that opportunity; on the subsequent possession the Giants punted and Washington responded with an 80-yard, nine-play drive capped by Deebo Samuel’s 19-yard touchdown run that sealed the outcome. New York finished with three points from 13 trips inside the red zone.
Analysis & implications
Short term, the loss highlights three pressing problems: protection, red-zone execution and run defense. The absence of a stable left tackle and a backup plan to open the running game left the offense one-dimensional on crucial downs. Opponents who can force third-and-long against the Giants will compress play-calling options and increase the risk of turnovers under pressure.
Strategically, Mike Kafka and Brian Daboll must decide whether to re-emphasize the ground game or continue designing for Wilson’s quick reads. The preseason inclusion of a Jaxson Dart package indicates the staff considered contingency plans, but Daboll said he did not turn to the rookie on Sunday. Expect game-planning tweaks and potential personnel changes on the offensive line before the road game in Dallas on Sept. 14.
Defensively, allowing 220 rushing yards and one 80-yard touchdown march points to schematic and tackling deficiencies. Dexter Lawrence II singled out tackling as a primary fix. If Washington-style rushing success repeats, opposing teams will shorten the field and keep it crossable for quarterbacks with dual-threat ability, reducing New York’s ability to create negative plays and turnovers.
Comparison & data
| Measure | 2025 Opener (vs WAS) | 2024 Season Avg (Giants) |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 231 | 291 |
| Passing yards (Wilson) | 168 | — |
| Rushing allowed | 220 | 128 (allowed per game) |
| Third-down conversion | 4/16 (25%) | 36% |
| Red-zone TDs | 1 of 13 plays (3 points) | 28% TD rate |
These figures underline the gap between single-game struggles and season-long norms. The rushing yards allowed (220) were well above what a defense hopes to concede, and third-down inefficiency (25%) compounds possession and scoreboard pressure. Red-zone conversions stand out as the single most actionable weakness for coaching adjustments.
Reactions & quotes
“It’s a new season, but it does hurt. No question about that.”
Brian Daboll (Giants head coach)
Daboll acknowledged the loss stings while urging focus on correction. He noted the team had plays installed for multiple personnel packages and emphasized collective accountability.
“When the ball is on the 1-, 2-yard line, we have to score. They stopped us. That changes the entire complexion of the game.”
Russell Wilson (Giants quarterback)
Wilson framed the defeat around red-zone execution, saying goal-line stops altered momentum and forced the Giants away from potential game-tying drives. He accepted responsibility for finishing opportunities.
“My confidence isn’t wavering from one game. It’s one game. Not going to let that turn into two.”
Brian Burns (Giants defender)
Burns, who produced two sacks, stressed the locker-room attitude remains resilient despite the early setback and warned against carrying this loss forward.
Unconfirmed
- The full extent and timeline for Andrew Thomas’s availability remain unclear; the team has not released a formal injury timetable.
- Whether Mike Kafka will significantly alter the run-pass balance before Week 2 is undecided and under evaluation by the coaching staff.
- Any internal disciplinary or schematic changes after the sideline altercation between Brian Daboll and Malik Nabers have not been publicly detailed.
Bottom line
The Giants’ 21-6 loss to the Commanders exposed persistent vulnerabilities despite an offseason splash acquisition at quarterback. Protection failures, red-zone inefficiency and run-defense breakdowns combined to neutralize what the franchise hoped would be a reset. One game does not define a season, but the pattern mirrors recent years when early setbacks cascaded into larger collapses.
Looking ahead, the Giants have limited time to repair fundamentals before a pivotal Week 2 matchup at Dallas on Sept. 14, 2025. Coaching adjustments, offensive-line health and a clearer identity in short-yardage situations will determine whether this result becomes an outlier or the opening chapter of another difficult season.