For the first time since early October, the Washington Commanders are finally able to breathe a collective sigh of relief. After enduring an agonizing eight-game losing streak that stretched over two months, the Commanders snapped their skid with a gritty 29-21 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 14, 2025. The victory not only halts a miserable run but also injects a much-needed sense of optimism into a team that, until now, seemed stuck in reverse.
The Commanders entered Week 15 with their backs firmly against the wall. Not since a win over the Los Angeles Chargers in early October had they tasted victory. The losing streak was starting to weigh heavily on the team, with frustration mounting among both players and fans. Yet, facing a Giants squad that had also been struggling—New York came into the contest riding its own eight-game losing streak and now sits at 2-12—the Commanders found the perfect opening to flip the script.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin, one of the team’s most consistent performers, played a pivotal role in the turnaround. McLaurin hauled in the Commanders’ only touchdown pass of the game, a spectacular 51-yard bomb from quarterback Marcus Mariota just over a minute into the fourth quarter. It was a play that not only electrified the sideline but also put the Commanders up 29-14, giving them crucial breathing room as the Giants mounted a late charge.
After the game, McLaurin didn’t hide his relief. “We knew it was going to be a four-quarter battle,” he explained. “Any time you play in the NFC East, especially in December, it’s going to be cold, it’s going to be physical. We just wanted to get back in the win column. It’s been a while since we’ve felt this feeling.” His words echoed the mood in the locker room—a mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration after finally putting an end to the streak.
McLaurin finished the day with three catches for 69 yards and that all-important touchdown. But he was quick to point out that the win was a team effort, and that the Commanders still have work to do. “We gotta do a better job of putting teams away when we’re in that position,” McLaurin admitted. “But, we’ll take the win. We’ll take the win and try to go home and get ready for a good Eagles team.”
Indeed, the Commanders’ ground game was a major factor in the victory. The team piled up 145 rushing yards, with much of the damage coming in the first half. Washington racked up 102 yards on the ground before halftime, though the Giants’ defense tightened up in the second half, limiting the Commanders to just 43 rushing yards after the break. The combination of Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez, both recent draft picks, has drawn attention for their solid performances—and there’s already speculation about whether they’ll remain the primary running backs next season.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota, filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels, managed the game effectively. While his stat line wasn’t eye-popping, Mariota made the throws when it mattered most, including the long strike to McLaurin that proved decisive. His poise under pressure was especially notable, considering the Giants’ late surge. Mariota did have a costly fumble when he was strip-sacked by Giants safety Dane Belton, but the defense held strong in the game’s final minutes.
On the other side, the Giants showed flashes of promise but ultimately couldn’t overcome their own mistakes. Rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter was a bright spot, forcing two fumbles in the closing minutes—one on Mariota and another on Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols. However, New York’s offense failed to capitalize on either turnover, turning the ball over on downs after a pair of incomplete passes from quarterback Jaxson Dart.
“We just didn’t put one together,” Giants head coach Mike Kafka said after the game. “I think we had some individual performances and drives, but you have to play for 60 minutes. We made some plays; they made more.”
The Giants actually outgained the Commanders, racking up 384 total yards to Washington’s 340. Jaxson Dart completed 20 of 36 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns, adding 63 more yards on the ground. Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. chipped in with two touchdowns of his own, one on the ground and one through the air. But costly penalties, missed field goals, and missed opportunities doomed New York’s chances for a comeback.
Special teams also played a pivotal role in the game’s momentum swings. Jaylin Lane’s 63-yard punt return touchdown late in the second quarter gave the Commanders a sudden boost, while Mike Sainristil’s 55-yard interception return set up a last-second field goal to close the half. Those nine points in the final 65 seconds of the first half turned a tight contest into a 15-point Commanders lead at the break.
Despite the win, questions remain for Washington. With Jayden Daniels still sidelined and uncertainty looming over Laremy Tunsil’s injured shoulder, there’s debate about whether Daniels should remain out for the final three games of the season. The performance of the young running backs, Croskey-Merritt and Rodriguez, will also be closely watched as the team evaluates its roster for 2026.
Looking ahead, the Commanders face a daunting schedule to close out the regular season. They’ll host the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16, then take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 before finishing up with a rematch against the Eagles in Week 18. With the playoffs out of reach, these final games will be about building momentum and evaluating talent for the future.
For the Giants, the loss extends their own losing streak to eight games and keeps them firmly in the running for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While there were some encouraging individual performances, the inability to finish drives and capitalize on turnovers continues to haunt the team. Coach Kafka’s message was clear: it’s time to start stacking positive days and play a complete game, something that’s eluded the Giants all season.
As the dust settles on MetLife Stadium, the Commanders can finally savor a victory. It’s not the end of their struggles, but for one week at least, Washington has rediscovered the winning feeling. The challenge now is to build on this momentum as they prepare for a tough stretch run against some of the NFC’s top teams.
