LANDOVER, Md. — Malik Neighbors did everything in his power to help the Giants avoid a season-ending slump except catch the final ball.
The dynamic rookie played as advertised — with his easy speed, flashy catches, touchdowns and, on the flip side, drops — in a 21-18 loss to the Commanders in their second game of the game on Sunday.
The drop came at the worst possible time, with 2:09 left in the game and a fourth-down, the Giants were short on manpower to kick a game-tying field goal and needed to score.
A turnover on downs led to a walk-off field goal for the Commanders.
“I'm disappointed,” Neighbors said. “No matter how well I played, that last play was on me. I'm hurt that I let my veteran players down. I know what confidence is like … I don't want to let my team down. That's the guiding principle in my mind is not to let my team down, and I let my team down.”
Neighbors totaled 10 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown to give the Giants a 12-9 lead late in the first half.
But he will be haunted by the ball he failed to catch on his astounding 18th target.
As coach Brian Daboll tried to offer words of encouragement, Neighbors shook his fist in frustration on the bench.
“Out of 1,000 times, they're going to run that play and they're going to come at me again on fourth down,” Neighbors said. “Obviously, I want it to go. … I'm going to be thinking about it all week, until I play the next game and then it'll be in the past.”
Though there was plenty to blame, particularly on the coaching staff, defense and special teams, teammates tried not to blame Neighbors.
“Obviously we wouldn't be in the position we are in without his play,” quarterback Daniel Jones said. “Big for us the whole game, he made a lot of big plays and was a matchup problem for opposing teams all day. He knows he played well and we've got to rally him up. He's competitive and he holds himself to high standards, so I know that's bothering him.”
The Commanders made an interesting choice by employing primarily man-to-man coverage against Neighbours.
He cut off a route in an instant, caught the ball, then turned and evaded tacklers who got too close in pursuit.
Perhaps the least surprised by Neighbors' dominance is Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who threw darts at Neighbors last season before winning the Heisman Trophy.
Both players were selected in the top six of April's draft.
“As an older brother, I just want to say I was happy,” Daniels said. “He did what he was supposed to do, which is what I expected.”
Daniels and Neighbors swapped jerseys after the game.
But only one LSU alum contributed to the win.
Not Neighbours.
“That last one is a very competitive guy,” Daboll said, “and I appreciate how much he cares.”
