Ratings for the Giants' 21-18 loss to the Commanders in Week 2 on Sunday:
attack
The unit had seven possessions and scored three touchdowns.
The problem was, Daniel Jones and company just weren't doing enough.
Jones (16-of-28, 178 yards, 2 TDs, 100.0 passer rating) bounced back strongly from a terrible opener.
In fact, there was too much emphasis on getting the ball to rookie Malik Neighbors, who was targeted 18 times and finished with 10 catches for 127 yards and his first NFL touchdown.
That fourth down down the sideline with 2:04 left was crucial, and he was upset about it.
Devin Singletary (16-95) found space to run, but the ball was punched away and he fumbled early in the third quarter, spoiling a promising series and resulting in a turnover that led to a Washington field goal.
The line played solid defense (allowing just one sack) and Wan'Dale Robinson had a TD catch early in the fourth quarter.
Rating: B
defense
They could win if they didn't allow any touchdowns, but not this way.
The Commanders had seven true possessions and scored field goals on all of them — there were no punts.
That meant Washington had a huge advantage in time of possession, 37 minutes 32 seconds to 22 minutes 28 seconds.
Coordinator Shane Bowen was supposed to fix the run defense, but it was lousy, giving up 215 yards and Brian Robinson Jr. 133 of them by force, averaging 7.8 yards per rush.
Jayden Daniels completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards and was 10 of 44 rushing.
He was precise and avoided mistakes.
There were five sacks, including two by safety Jason Pinnock.
However, Pinnock committed a holding foul to continue the drive, preventing him from making a play on the ball and allowing a 21-yard reception to Zach Ertz.
Rookie CB Jrue Phillips looks set to be the keeper.
Micah McFadden recorded 12 tackles and one sack in his season debut.
The Commanders were 0-of-6 in the red zone but 7-of-14 on third downs.
That's strange.
Rating: D
Special teams
Hmm.
Graham Gano entered the game nursing a sore right groin and strained his right hamstring while chasing the opening kickoff, making the lack of an active second kicker a major blow.
If punter Jamie Gillan isn't trusted to kick short field goals and extra points, he can't be considered a legitimate option.
Gillan missed wide on his only PAT attempt.
Gillan was unable to get the ball into the landing zone on the fourth quarter kickoff, giving Washington the ball at its own 40-yard line.
In the second quarter, Gillan took a high-arcing punt for 27 yards, but it should have gone inside the 10-yard line rather than falling at the 18.
The Giants averaged 26 yards on six punt returns.
Rating: F
Coaching
Brian Daboll added that game-day activities are a joint decision and ultimately his responsibility.
Now he needed a second kicker.
Offensive play-caller Daboll may have placed too much emphasis on targeting Neighbors, targeting Darius Slayton and Wan'Dale Robinson just four times each.
Daboll fought for a spot in the first quarter to deny the Commanders a first down and win a replay challenge.
Midway through the third quarter, Daboll won another challenge for a first down.
Poor run defense will be a big problem for Bowen.
Rating: F
