4 mistakes that cost the Giants a win over Washington in Week 13

The NY Giants tied the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon 20-20 in what turned out to be a back-and-forth affair. The tie was not very beneficial for Big Blue’s playoff hopes. Seattle, Washington, and the Giants are battling for the final two NFC Wild Card spots, and with the toughest remaining schedule of the three teams, the Giants badly needed a win Sunday to distance themselves from the other two squads.

Right now, the Giants are just 0.5 games ahead of Washington for the final playoff spot. The Giants Week 15 showdown in Washington will be pivotal. With that said, a tie is better than a loss, but there is no doubt Sunday was a huge missed opportunity. There were plenty of Giants mistakes on Sunday, but four stood out above the rest.

4. Jon Feliciano’s killer taunting penalty

Jon Feliciano’s taunting penalty was the biggest swing in Sunday’s game. Prior to the brutal fourth quarter penalty, the Giants forced Washington to punt, and took over at Washington’s 47. The Giants were leading 20-13 and there was just over six minutes to go, so a field goal would have iced it.

On the first play of the drive, Daniel Jones threw a pass short right to Darius Slayton for 12 yards and a first down. Feliciano ran down the field to celebrate, in which he flexed his muscles. He was given a 15-yard penalty for taunting, which erased the positive play that moved the Giants into field goal range, and backed them up to midfield.

Feliciano did say after the game that he was just simply flexing at Slayton. Regardless of what he was doing, he got flagged and it cost the Giants a chance at putting Washington away. With the Giants embarked in a tight playoff race, it is simply inexcusable for Feliciano to get a taunting penalty that takes potential game-winning points off the board. This just can’t happen