Giants vs Commanders Preview & Free Pick [December 18th 2022]

NY Giants (7-5-1) at Washington (7-5-1)
When: Sunday, December 18th 2022
Where: FedEx Field,
Landover, MD
Time: 8:20 ET | TV: NBC
Opening Odds: Washington -4/45.5

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An important game in the NFC wild card race has been flexed into the Sunday night window, as the New York Giants visit the Washington Commanders in Week 15 action. Both teams are sitting at 7-5-1 and are currently in the top seven that make the postseason, with the Seattle Seahawks and surging Detroit Lions lurking right behind. In a very rare scheduling occurrence, Washington will be playing the same team for the second straight game. The Commanders and Giants tied 20-20 two weeks ago and the Commanders are coming off their bye. In that first meeting, the Giants took a 20-13 lead on Daniel Jones’ 6-yard touchdown pass right after halftime. Washington tied it when Taylor Heinicke threw a 28-yard TD to Jahan Dotson with 1:45 left in the game. New York’s Graham Gano missed a 58-yard field goal as time expired in overtime, ending the game tied. The road team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.

Heinicke went 27-of-41 with two touchdowns in the tie and will face 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, while Terry McLaurin had eight catches for 105 yards and a score. Jones went 25-for-31 for 200 yards and a touchdown, in addition to a team-high 71 yards rushing. The Giants did play a game last week and it didn’t go well. They were throttled at home by the first-place Philadelphia Eagles 48-22. The Eagles are running away with the NFC East and the Dallas Cowboys have separated themselves with the Commanders and Giants. It’s conceivable that all four teams in the division make the postseason. The Commanders are 4.5-point favorites in Sunday’s contest with a total of 40.5.

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The Giants have not played well since a 6-1 start, as the schedule was considered very soft. Since then, New York has gone 1-4-1 and are in danger of missing the postseason, much like Seattle’s recent decline. Saquon Barkley was questionable last week and probably should have stayed home. He ran nine times for just 28 yards in the loss to the Eagles and had two catches for 20 yards on a season-low 20 offensive snaps. It was the third time in the past four games Barkley had fewer than 40 yards rushing. The defense was gashed for 253 yards rushing and are 29th in that category. 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.

Washington has been on fire since Heinicke took over for the injured Carson Wentz. It not only put a spark in the offense, but the defense has stepped up as well. The Commanders have lost just one game in the last nine weeks and even pummeled the Eagles on a Monday night game. After being shot in a carjacking before the season started, rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. has come back with a vengeance. He has rushed for 201 yards in his last two games. Centre Tyler Larsen was placed on injured reserve after injuring his knee against the Giants. Washington has started four centers and four right guards this season. The defense ranks fourth in the league in yards allowed at 310.5 per contest. Everyone practiced this week, but 10 players were limited – something to look at prior to kick off.

Washington definitely looks better than New York, but these teams always seem to play tight games. The Giants have been really good in D.C., covering each of the last four trips there. Four of the last five games between these teams have been decided by three points or less. I’ll take the points.

Week 15 NFL Staff Selections

Pick: Giants +4.5

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