Can the Grass Get Greener?

A divisional matchup that feels important for both teams. Maybe more so for the Giants, but I still think important for Washington. Giants’ fans are probably haunted by the close game in Washington last year, (and all of last season), but there is a lot of buzz in NY. After a hot preseason, fans are excited. But Jayden Daniels almost took his team to a SB. As a rookie. He’ll have some things to say.

The Giants had a facelift of sorts. They are not the team from last year, (purely from a depth chart standpoint.) They now have Russell Wilson leading the offense, with Jameis Winston and rookie QB Jaxson Dart bringing in the rear. They added RB Cam Skattebo, the wrecking ball from ASU, and made some nice free agent pickups in CB Paulson Adebo and FS Jevon Holland. The Giants looked like a completely different team in preseason. Synchronized, effective, decisive. It was weird for Giants fans. It was even weirder when you consider they put up 300+ yards of total offense and 30+ points every game. I imagine Giants fans are on pins and needles, not knowing which way to lean. I think if you’re the Giants, you’re just trying to match how you felt and played in the preseason. Carry the momentum over, as while it is just preseason, the ability to execute was there in a way we haven’t seen in a while. I think Giants fans would just be happy if they kept the whole game competitive. And then go from there.

Washington is going to be looking to stamp out the Giants early and start making their way back to an NFC Championship game. Jayden Daniels put on an absolute show last year, against good competition and mediocre competition. The sophomore slump is a real thing; ask C.J Stroud and a multitude of other QBs over the years. But I feel like Daniels is in a position where he can blow right by that. If he doesn’t get lost in what got him here, keep the game easy and trust his abilities, Washington will be humming along again. They’ve got a good defense, better on the passing side, and an offense that knows how to move the ball. Add Deebo Samuel and highly touted rookie Jacory Croskey-Merrit to the mix, and Washington may be able to fly quickly. I doubt they crash on the runway against NY, but I think the game can remain close until Daniels takes command.