ONE GIANT BLUNDER

Jayden Daniels runs for 103 yards and two touchdowns in his return, but Washington cannot turn a 27-13 fourth-quarter advantage into a win.

LANDOVER, Md. — The Commanders had the ball at the Giants’ 24-yard line with a chance to win Sunday. They never got the kick away.

Jayden Daniels was stopped for no gain on Washington’s final overtime play, and the clock expired before the Commanders could attempt a field goal. The 27-27 tie left Washington at 1-3-1 after an afternoon that had looked like a successful return for its starting quarterback.

After the game, coach Dan Quinn took responsibility for not moving to the kick sooner: “I can do that earlier. And we can finish the kick early. We don't need to gain more yards, so that's on me.”

Daniels also accepted responsibility while pointing to communication throughout the offense: “We got to relay that as an offense. It starts from everybody top down. But ultimately, you know, it's on me.”

Daniels completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards without an interception and rushed nine times for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Jacory Croskey-Merritt added 82 yards and a score on 11 carries. Washington finished with 378 total yards to New York’s 408.

An early lead and a late collapse

Croskey-Merritt opened the scoring with a 33-yard touchdown run to finish a four-play, 69-yard possession. Drew Stevens missed the extra point, but his second-quarter field goals from 28 and 40 yards sent Washington into halftime ahead 12-3.

Daniels supplied the next two touchdowns with his legs. A 38-yard run made it 19-6 in the third quarter. After Jameis Winston found Isaiah Likely for a three-yard score, Daniels answered with a 26-yard touchdown run and a two-point completion to Terry McLaurin. Washington led 27-13.

The Giants responded with consecutive touchdown drives. Likely caught a 17-yard score, and Winston connected with Malik Nabers from the same distance to tie the game.

Overtime chances go unanswered

Dominic Zvada missed a 46-yard field goal on New York’s first overtime possession. Washington then punted after Abdul Carter forced a fumble that the Commanders recovered.

The defense created another opening when Daron Payne forced a Cam Skattebo fumble and Shy Tuttle recovered. Washington drove into field-goal range, but its final possession ended without an attempt. The Giants left Northwest Stadium at 3-1-1.

Winston finished 33 of 54 for 326 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Nabers caught 11 passes for 121 yards, while Likely had 11 receptions for 94 yards and two scores. McLaurin led Washington with 62 receiving yards on four catches; Chig Okonkwo caught four for 60.

Daniels returns to a depleted lineup

Daniels made his first start after missing two games with a dislocated left elbow. McLaurin also played after entering the weekend questionable with a hamstring injury. Washington remained without receiver Stefon Diggs, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, defensive end Charles Omenihu and safeties Nick Cross, Percy Butler and Tyler Owens.

The Commanders next visit San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 19, before their Week 7 bye.