Can the Giants Play Spoiler Against the Commanders?
The New York Giants open their 2025 season on the road against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Washington enters the year fresh off an NFC Championship Game appearance and will be looking to build on its impressive 2024 campaign. Oddsmakers don’t give the Giants much of a chance in this matchup, making them one of the biggest underdogs of Week One. After winning only three games last season and with many fans doubting whether Russell Wilson can still be a serviceable quarterback, the expectation is that Washington should roll. Still, this game has the potential to be closer than most expect—and Week One is no stranger to shocking upsets.
The Giants’ path to victory is straightforward but narrow: they must avoid a shootout with Daniels. The dynamic quarterback has shown he can outscore good teams and frustrate even the best defenses. For New York, the formula will be to run the ball effectively, control the clock, and keep Daniels on the sideline. Defensively, an aggressive blitz-heavy approach will be key to rattling him. On offense, the Giants must ensure Malik Nabers is consistently involved. Too often last season he went stretches without targets, and that can’t happen in 2025. Tight end Theo Johnson is another name to watch—he has impressed throughout camp and could emerge as an early-season contributor.
Special teams will also play a crucial role. The Giants need to shorten the field for Wilson, allowing him to settle into a game-manager role rather than forcing risky throws on third downs. If New York’s defense can keep the Commanders close to 25 points, they’ll give themselves a chance. The challenge, however, will be containing Washington’s firepower. With the addition of Deebo Samuel, Daniels has yet another weapon in what was already one of the NFC’s most dangerous offenses. The Commanders are likely to test the Giants’ secondary early and often, as it remains one of New York’s biggest weaknesses. If Daniels has time in the pocket, it could be a long afternoon. Ultimately, Washington enters this matchup as the better team, and expectations are justifiably high after last season’s playoff run. Still, the Giants have a blueprint to make things interesting. If they can control the tempo, protect the football, and limit explosive plays, don’t be surprised if this Week One game is far closer than the experts predict.
