The Washington Commanders are starting the 2025 season with a home matchup against the New York Giants. Check out this blog throughout the afternoon for stats, updates and more.
What's on Commanders.com:
1:01 p.m.
Here we go. The Giants won the toss and will defer. Here comes Jayden Daniels. We'll get an early look at how this new offensive line looks against the Giants' talented front.
1:08 p.m.
Commanders punting on their opening drive. They were moving along well, but a false start penalty backed them up and disrupted momentum. Also, tough drop by Zach Ertz on third-and-10. The ball now goes back to the Giants, who are led by Russell Wilson.
1:14 p.m.
And just like that, the Giants' offense is off the field after three plays. The Commanders went through a lot to strengthen their run game, and while it was just one play, Tyron Tracy was stuffed for a one-yard loss on first down.
1:21 p.m.
The Commanders' offense is really starting the gain steam. Chris Moore opened things up with a 34-yard toe-tap reception, and Noah Brown moved the offense inside the Giants' 25-yard line. After a drop on the opening drive, it appears as if the offense hasn't skipped a beat.
1:28 p.m.
Touchdown Washington. Daniels looks for his go-to red zone option in Zach Ertz and connects for a seven-yard touchdown. The offense looked crisp and efficient on the 89-yard drive, just as they did last year.
The Washington Commanders have started warming up at Northwest Stadium for their Week 1 matchup with the New York Giants.
1:47 p.m.
Great bend-but-don't-break moment for the defense. They managed to hold the Giants out of the end zone despite seven plays from inside their own 5-yard line. The run defense played a big part in that, as Cam Scattebo was stuffed for a one-yard loss on second down.
1:58 p.m.
You have to be impressed with this Commanders' defensive front. While the Giants are banged up with two starting tackles out, the Commanders have looked fast, physical and disruptive at the line of scrimmage. They have pressured Wilson all afternoon, and it has directly led to several critical incompletions. In other words, it's exactly what the Commanders' front office hoped it would be.
2:10 p.m.
This offense presents a bevy of challenges for defense. It's difficult to account for all of them and have an answer for Daniels as a runner. The offense rolled through the Giants on that last drive, converting two first downs of 15 yards. Oh, and Bill Croskey-Merritt scored his first-career touchdown with a six-yard run. The Commanders are now up 14-3 and in control.
2:20 p.m.
The Commanders have brought the pressure on Wilson all afternoon, and they finally got their first sack of the game with Daron Payne taking him down for a nine-yard loss. It was clear the Giants were trying to go to Malik Nabers on third down, as Lattimore jogged off the field for a play. Nabers was the only player Wilson was looking at, and he paid for it.
2:50 p.m.
We're kicking off the second half with another solid showing by the Commanders' defense, who forced and three-and-out and a sack on Wilson. The Commanders had a chance to take a 21-3 lead at halftime, but a rare clock mismanagement from Daniels led to a fruitless drive that ended in Giants territory. The Commanders were inside the 10-yard line after a Daniels run, and rather than spike the ball, they tried to get another play off. It led to an intentional grounding penalty and the Giants electing to run 10 seconds off the clock.
3:12 p.m.
Tough call from the refs on a catch by Terry McLaurin. It appeared as if McLaurin had secured the pass from Daniels on third down, but the refs ruled it incomplete. Dan Quinn challenges it, but the call stood.
3:25 p.m.
The main story for the Commanders right now has to be their defense. They have looked dominant for most of the afternoon and held the Giants' skill players to minimal gains. Tyrone Tracy has just 22 yards, while Nabers has been limited to 55 yards on four catches. Daron Payne has been all over the field as well, as he swatted a third-down pass from Wilson to force the Giants to settle for a field goal.
3:39 p.m.
The Commanders have the ball again after another defensive stop, and it really feels like the offense needs to sustain a drive here. The game has been tight throughout, and if they score here, the game might be over. The problem, however, has been penalties and drops, which is probably the result of the starting offense not being together for much of camp.
3:50 p.m.
And just like that, the Commanders got what they needed. Samuel was heavily featured in the drive and took a handoff 19-yards for the touchdown. We're getting a really good look at how the Commanders are going to feature Samuel this season. Samuel started in the backfield and went in motion before cutting back and getting the ball. Once again, when the Commanders' offense is moving, the Giants have few answers for it.
4:03 p.m.
The Commanders' have been clutch at their own goal line. The Giants have had two opportunities inside the Commanders' 5-yard line and just got three points out of it. They just turned over the ball on downs, which seems like the nail in the coffin.
4:13 p.m.
And that's it! Washington bleeds the clock for a 21-6 win and a 1-0 start to the season. Check out Commanders.com for stories and stats from the afternoon.
