NY Giants defense powers 23-20 win over Washington | instant analysis

The NY Giants’ defense reached a crescendo Sunday in a 23-20 victory over the Washington Football Team.

As the NY Giants’ offense sleepwalked through much of the second half, Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham dialed up the heat on Washington quarterback Alex Smith, who forced the ball into trouble that Jabrill Peppers intercepted to seal a hard fought division win, 23-20 at FedExField.

The first half of Sunday’s game was the most dominant half of football from a Giants team since at least the 2018 meeting against these teams.

Jones and the offense ran out to a 20-3 lead, powered by 10 points off turnovers amid a 244 yard flurry as the defense only allowed Washington into Giants territory twice while surrendering just three points.

That trend didn’t continue into the second half.

Smith, on in relief of Kyle Allen, who suffered a gruesome ankle injury in the first half Sunday, carved up the Giants for 325 yards and a touchdown, while also leading three consecutive scoring drives in the third and fourth quarters. But, it was Smith’s three interceptions that proved too much for the Football Team to overcome.

For the third game in as many weeks, the Giants coughed up a double-digit second half lead, this time a 17-point advantage to Washington. This time, though, Peppers’ timely interception gave the Giants’ offense an opportunity to salt out a win.

But, the Giants’ offense went three-and-out, forcing the defense back onto the field just after the 2:00 warning. Perhaps more consequentially, the Giants’ offense only managed to drain :14 off the clock, giving Smith and Washington the ball back with 1:48 remaining in regulation.

Once again, though, it was the Giants’ defense that sealed the deal when Logan Ryan intercepted Smith with 1:15 remaining for Washington’s fifth and most costly turnover of the day.

Scroll through for a look at four thoughts on Sunday’s win that kept the Giants’ faint division hopes alive.