Giants fall 21-6 to Commanders, line play and Wilson under scrutiny

LANDOVER, Md. The New York Giants opened the 2025 regular season with a dispiriting 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Northwest Stadium, a result that exposed offensive line breakdowns, a stagnant rushing attack and renewed questions about the durability of Russell Wilson's hold on the starting job. The game was Wilson's 200th NFL start and his first in a Giants uniform; he completed 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards with no touchdowns and was frequently under pressure.

New York managed just 231 yards of total offense, converted 4 of 16 third downs and reached the red zone twice but left with only a 21-yard field goal and a failed goal-line attempt. Wilson and head coach Brian Daboll both pointed to missed opportunities in the red zone. "We had two chances down in the red zone to make it a close game," Wilson said. "When the ball is on the one or two yard line, we got to score. They stopped us. They played well."

Offensive line play was a focal point. Left tackle Andrew Thomas remained inactive as he continues to recover from last season's Lisfranc surgery, and swing tackle James Hudson, who started in his place, struggled, drawing multiple pressures and a critical...