Giants, Commanders clash in crucial divisional rematch

The Washington Commanders will face the New York Giants for the second time in as many weeks when the teams meet in a contest filled with playoff implications on Sunday night in Landover, Md. The Commanders and the host Giants played to a 20-20 tie on Dec. 4 before the Giants got clobbered by the visiting Eagles 48-22 last Sunday. Washington used its bye week to prepare for the teams' rematch. While the Eagles (12-1) are running away with the NFC East and the Dallas Cowboys (10-3) have played their way into prime position for the top wild card, it's essentially become a four-team race for the remaining two wild cards in the NFC. That's why Sunday's game between the Commanders (7-5-1) and Giants (7-5-1) is crucial for both teams. The winner gains a huge advantage considering it will hold a one-game lead and the tiebreaker over the loser with three games remaining. "This is an opportunity, and we've got to focus in on it," Washington coach Ron Rivera said. "This is the most important game we will play, as of now, and a big reason is because it's the one we're about to play. So we will try to keep our focus solely on that." Currently, the Commanders are the sixth seed, with the Giants in the final spot. New York is ahead of the Seattle Seahawks (7-6) and surging Detroit (6-7). The Lions have won five of their last six games, including a 31-18 victory over the Giants, giving them the tiebreaker over New York should both finish with identical records. "Around this time in December, all games get critical," Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence said. "It's another division game that's a must-win because it's the next one, and you want to go 1-0. This game is a playoff game, and the next game will be one. It's just all taking it step by step." In the teams' last meeting, the Giants took a 20-13 lead on Daniel Jones' 6-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Hodgins with 11:34 left in the third quarter. The Commanders tied it when Taylor Heinicke threw a 28-yard scoring strike to Jahan Dotson with 1:45 left in the game. In overtime, New York's Graham Gano missed a 58-yard field goal as time expired, ending the game with the score deadlocked. Jones went 25-for-31 passing for 200 yards and a touchdown, in addition to a team-high 71 yards rushing on 12 carries. He'll again be tested by a Washington defense that is fourth in the league in yards allowed (310.5). Heinecke, who went 27-of-41 passing with two touchdowns in the tie, has had two weeks to find ways to exploit a Giants' defense that ranks 26th in yards (365.8) and 29th against the run (149.7). Brian Robinson Jr. ran for 96 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, while Terry McLaurin had eight catches for 105 yards and a score in the teams' last meeting. For the Giants, guards Shane Lemieux (toe) and Joshua Ezeudu (neck), cornerback Adoree' Jackson (knee), receiver Richie James (concussion) and linebacker Jihad Ward (concussion) did not practice Wednesday due to injury. Meanwhile, tight end Daniel Bellinger (rib), linebacker Elerson Smith (Achilles) and defensive end Leonard Smith (neck) were limited, but no players on the injury report have been ruled out for Sunday. The Commanders had everyone practice in some form on Wednesday, though 10 players were limited. The availability of running backs Antonio Gibson (foot) and Robinson (quad), receiver Cam Sims (back), guards Trai Turner (knee) and Andrew Norwell (shoulder), defensive ends Montez Sweat (concussion), James Smith-Williams (concussion) and Chase Young (knee), receiver Dax Milne (foot) and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (ankle) for Sunday's game will be determined later in the week. --Field Level Media