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The New York Giants can stay in first place and improve to 2-0 in the NFC East with a win against the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Northwest Stadium.
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Washington is coming off a 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London in Week 4. But the Commanders are still favored to win despite their 1-3 start.
Here’s what to know about the Washington Commanders ahead of their Week 5 date.
What to Know About the Commanders
- 2026 record: 1-3
- Head coach: Dan Quinn
- 2026 Offense/Defense rank: 19th / 18th
- Key injuries: running back Rachaad White (shoulder), running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin), wide receiver Stefon Diggs (hamstring), wide receiver Terry McLaurin (hamstring), tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring), defensive end Charles Omenihu (groin/ankle)
Key Commanders Storylines
Welcome Back
The Commanders’ loss in London came after third-string quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis took over for backup Marcus Mariota. But quarterback Jayden Daniels is back after missing the past 10 quarters with a dislocated elbow.
Daniels has struggled as a passer (56.9% completion rate, 130.0 yards per game) this year. But he is dangerous as a dual-threat quarterback, averaging 50 rushing yards per game and posting 69 rushing yards in the first half of Washington’s loss to the Cowboys in Week 2.
Daniels has never lost to the Giants, though two of his three victories were only by one score, including the 21-18 Washington win in Week 2 of the 2024 season in Landover, Maryland.
Banged Up
Washington may get Daniels back, but its offense has been ravaged by injuries. The Commanders’ top two receivers Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin didn’t practice Thursday after McLaurin missed the game in London.
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Washington’s top two running backs, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White, are also listed as questionable, though they logged limited practices. Plus, Mariota is doubtful, which means Washington is one hit away from Kaliakmanis taking the reins again.
On the Hot Seat
Dan Quinn’s seat may be warmer than any other NFL head coach’s, particularly after Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers knocked off the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.
So the Commanders may be playing for their coach’s job, especially with their bye week looming in Week 7. But they are still in the hunt in the suddenly wide-open NFC East.
Washington may be 0-2 in divisional games, but it was a failed 2-point conversion from pulling even late in the fourth quarter in Philadelphia in Week 1. The Commanders suffered a massive emotional letdown after losing Daniels to the gruesome elbow injury before halftime in Dallas.
But a win over the Giants would push Washington within a game of first place. Like all divisional games, this one is big.
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More on the New York Giants
- Why J.J. McCarthy Could Be the Giants’ Quarterback of the Future
- Matt Nagy Comments on J.J. McCarthy’s Transition to Giants 1 Week After Vikings Trade
- Giants First Quarter Report Card: Coaching, Special Teams Carry Big Blue to First Place
- 3 Reasons the Giants Are 3-1 and Alone Atop the NFC East
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This story was originally published October 9, 2026 at 8:19 AM.