Giants-Commanders winners, losers: Abdul Carter up, special teams down

The New York Giants lost their eighth straight game on Sunday, 29-21 to the Washington Commanders. That allowed Washington to snap its eight-game losing streak and kept the Giants in possession of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here are the ‘Kudos & Wet Willies’ from yet another disappointing effort.

Kudos to …

Abdul Carter — It would appear that the two benchings Carter endured in the first three weeks of Mike Kafka’s time as interim head coach have had some impact. Carter started the game and had a tackle for loss on Washington’s first offensive play. He finished with seven tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a quarterback hit, and three tackles for loss.

Carter’s tackle for loss/forced fumble/fumble recovery with 2:38 to play gave the Giants a final opportunity to tie the game. They, of course, did not take advantage.

This was the kind of impact the Giants were expecting when the made Carter the No. 3 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Tyrone Tracy — Forgotten early in the season because of a shoulder injury and the emergence of Cam Skattebo, the second-year running back keeps reminding people that he is a good player. Tracy had a well-earned 12-yard touchdown run and an 18-yard touchdown reception. He finished with 15 carries for 70 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and three receptions for 27 yards.

Wet Willies to …

Giants special teams — Younghoe Koo badly missed field goals from 52 and 51 yards. Had Mike Kafka paid attention to pre-game warmups Koo would not have been asked to kick those. Still, awful.

The Giants gave up a punt return touchdown for the second straight week. This one was a 63-yarder by Jaylin Lane on a line drive kick down the middle of the field by substitute punter Cameron Johnston.

Darius Slayton — The Giants paid Slayton $36 over three years ($22 million guaranteed) in the offseason. He has not been worth it. On Sunday, Slayton had two game-altering drops in the second half. He dropped what should have been a 35-yard touchdown pass from Dart that would have pulled the Giants within two points on the second-to-last play of the third quarter. The Giants got no points. Earlier in the third quarter, Slayton dropped a third-and-4 slant that would have given the Giants a first down.

Mike Kafka — I don’t know what happened to the Kafka who was aggressive and impressive in his first two games as interim head coach, but this was another mystifyingly called game. It’s pretty clear at this point that Kafka won’t be getting the permanent head-coaching job at season’s end.

• Kafka challenged a spot and lost on the third play of the game. A waste.
• On fourth-and-6 from the Washington 33 in the first quarter Kafka opted for a 52-yard Younghoe Koo field goal attempt. This despite watching Koo not come close on two 52-yard attempts from that side of the field in pre-game warmups. Koo missed badly. At 2-11 and in miserable weather, why ask your placekicker to try from that distance. Fourth-and-6 was not an unreasonable spot to go for the first down.
• On the final play of the third quarter, Kafka opted for a run up the middle on third-and-20 at the Washington 35. Tracy gained 2 yards and Koo missed again from 51 yards. This one was short and well wide to the left.
• The Giants had a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line after a Washington pass interference penalty. Dart lost a yard, then missed two plays. Devin Singletary lost 2 yards. Jameis Winston threw incomplete on third down. Dart returned and threw incomplete on fourth down.
• The special teams were atrocious, as has become standard. Aside from Carter, the defense was lifeless and ineffective. Kafka is the head coach. He takes a hit for those things.
• Because the Giants did not elevate either Ihmir Smith-Marsette or Xavier Gipson with Gunner Olszewski failing to clear concussion protocol, they ended up with safety Jevon Holland fielding punts. Game day roster management always seems to be a problem with the Giants. Kafka doesn’t seem to be immune.

Kwillies to …

Jaxson Dart — The rookie quarterback did a lot of good things. He ran nine times for 63 yards, with a 29-yard third-quarter run setting up Tracy’s 12-yard touchdown run. He threw a beautiful 18-yard touchdown pass to Tracy. He dropped a 35-yard throw into Slayton’s hands in the end zone that should have given the Giants an opportunity to tie the game.

There did seem to be more off-target throws and miscommunications than usual between Dart and his intended receivers. It is hard to tell if the interception Dart threw was on him or if Jalin Hyatt was not where he should have been, but the play cost the Giants a scoring opportunity and handed Washington three points at the end of the first half.

Dart survived another concussion test when he was forced off the field after running for a 1-yard loss on first-and-goal at the Commanders’ 1-yard line.

Still, Dart had two opportunities to get the Giants into the end zone in the fourth quarter, and could not capitalize. Granted, he was taken off the field for two plays after the first-and-goal. He finished 20 of 36 for 246 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.