3 NY Giants who must step up in crucial division rivalry game vs Commanders

At 2-6, this Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders seems like a make-or-break game for the New York Giants if they want to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

New York is coming off another heartbreaking loss, as they fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, 26-18. Penalties, turnovers, and the inability to get into the endzone dropped the Giants to a third straight loss.

They're now returning home to take on a Commanders team that is riding high. Led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, Washington is coming off a dramatic walkoff Hail Mary victory against the Chicago Bears. With the Giants looking to avenge a gut-wrenching loss they suffered against this Washington team they had back in Week 2, these three players must step up.

3 Giants players who must step against the Washington Commanders

3. Deonte Banks

This first-round pick has not panned out well for the Giants thus far. Cornerback Deonte Banks, who Big Blue drafted with their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has struggled and it looks like he'll be on a short leash. The young cornerback was benched against the Steelers last week, and despite Brian Daboll telling reporters this week that he'll be back in the lineup, a second straight benching isn't off the table.

Banks' effort has been questioned over the last two weeks in particular. The scrutiny started after giving up a long touchdown on a fourth-down play against the Philadelphia Eagles back in Week 8, getting hurdled by Steelers running back Najee Harris, and allowing wideout George Pickens to make a huge catch that set up another Pittsburgh touchdown.

Banks must prove that he was worth that first-round selection after two awful games in a row. With this Giants defense going up against a dangerous Commanders offense that scored on every possession back in Week 8, Banks must step up on Sunday.

2. Malik Nabers

It's been a quiet couple of games for the Giants' sixth overall pick. Malik Nabers, who's looked like one of the best young wide receivers in the NFL, has not seen much action on offense since coming back from a concussion. Even though he had seven receptions on 71 yards on Monday night, Nabers must step up against Washington in front of the Giants fanbase.

Since returning from the concussion that sidelined him for two games, Nabers has a combined 11 catches for 112 yards and no touchdowns—this after scoring three touchdowns and putting up 115 receiving yards in the two games prior.

While the Giants' offensive struggles overall contribute to the young wideout’s dip in production, Nabers was also seen dropping a crucial pass on Monday against the Steelers that would have been a first down. He had a huge game against this same Commanders team back in Week 2; the Giants need that level of performance from him again, and then some, this Sunday.

1. Daniel Jones

This should not be a surprise at all: Daniel Jones, we need a big game from you this weekend. Although he made some nice throws against the Steelers last week, including a 43-yard dot to Darius Slayton, and drove the Giants downfield at the end of the first half to set up a game-tying field goal, he unquestionably needs a huge game.

The Giants’ signal-caller once again made costly mistakes in crucial moments for Big Blue, with a red-zone fumble and a late-game interception that have fans and experts calling for Daboll and Co. to consider a quarterback change. Unfortunately, that won’t happen - at least not yet. Facing a team he’s performed well against in his career, with a 5-2-1 record in eight games, this feels like the perfect opportunity for him to finally break out and quiet the boos he heard the last time the Giants were at home.

Jones is also searching for that elusive first touchdown pass at MetLife Stadium since January 1, 2023. It’s almost unfathomable to think it’s been that long. In a divisional game, with possibly his job and future in New York on the line, this has to be the game where Daniel Jones steps up.

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