The New York Giants fell to 5-3-1 after losing 24-21 to the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium on Thursday. New York finished with more passing yards, rushing yards, total yards and yards per play, but could not hold on late. Stefon Diggs scored on a 32-yard touchdown with less than a minute remaining to give Washington the lead.
Penalties were a costly difference. The Giants committed only two more penalties than the Commanders, but those flags cost New York 45 additional yards. One apparent penalty against Washington defender Frankie Luvu, however, was not enforced after the officials picked up the flag.
Late in the third quarter, Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy connected with tight end Theo Johnson on an eight-yard pass for a first down. Officials initially threw a flag after Luvu appeared to make helmet-to-helmet contact with Johnson, but they later picked it up. New York was not awarded the 15 yards that would have come with the penalty, and the Giants punted three plays later.
Replay showed Luvu making helmet-to-helmet contact with Johnson. Thursday Night Football rules analyst Terry McAulay criticized the decision, saying the flag should have remained because Johnson was a defenseless player. Although the penalty was not enforced during the game, that does not necessarily prevent the NFL from reviewing the play or issuing discipline.
The league and the NFL Players Association establish rules each year that may lead to accountability measures for game-related violations. The NFL says those measures are intended to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity. Earlier this season, Giants running back Cam Skattebo was fined for illegal use of the helmet after lowering his helmet during a run.
## Giants vs. Commanders Takeaways
Had the 15-yard penalty been enforced, New York would have moved into Washington territory. Instead, the Giants left the game with a narrow, frustrating defeat.
The loss was a missed opportunity for New York, which had a chance to strengthen its position in the NFC East before a difficult run of opponents begins with the Jacksonville Jaguars next week. Despite the Giants’ statistical advantages, their late-game struggles proved costly.
