LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jayden Daniels threw for 233 yards and a touchdown, Deebo Samuel scored in his Washington debut, and the Commanders kept the New York Giants out of the end zone in a 21-6 win Sunday.

Last seen allowing 55 points to Philadelphia in the NFC championship game, Washington’s defense had a much better time of it against the Giants. New York managed only 231 yards of offense and was particularly ineffective running the ball.

Daron Payne had a sack and batted down a third-down pass, and the Commanders never let Russell Wilson look all that comfortable in his first start with New York. The Giants, who went 3-14 last season, showed enough on defense to suggest some improvement is possible. Washington didn’t score a point in the second half until Samuel’s 19-yard touchdown run made it 21-6 with 7:09 to play.

Washington faced second-and-17 on that drive, but Daniels bounced off a tackle for a 12-yard run, then threw to Samuel for 19 to put the Commanders in field goal range. Moments later Samuel, acquired in a trade from San Francisco in the offseason, took a handoff and swept to the left, shedded a tackler and reached the end zone.

New York Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (28) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Commanders punter Tress Way (10) gets rid of the ball ahead of New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) diving in to score a touchdown against New York Giants safety Jevon Holland (8) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The crowd began chanting “Deebo” — they’d also been chanting “Terry” earlier in the game for Terry McLaurin, who finally reached a deal after a lengthy contract dispute and contributed a couple catches in the opener.

The Commanders left running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. inactive for this game, a sign he’d fallen behind rookie seventh-round pick Bill Croskey-Merritt. Croskey-Merritt had 82 yards on a team-high 10 carries, including a 6-yard scoring run in the second quarter that made it 14-3.

The Giants’ pass rush was plenty feared entering the season, and New York did produce three first-half sacks. The pressure on Daniels also forced an intentional grounding penalty that caused the final few seconds to run out in the first half when Washington appeared assured of at least a field goal.

Abdul Carter, the Penn State star New York took with the third pick in this year’s draft, had a half-sack in his debut. He also blocked a punt in the third quarter, although the ball still made it well into New York territory and the Giants immediately went three-and-out and punted back.

Daniels threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz to open the scoring, and then New York could only manage a field goal out of a first-and-goal situation from the 1. After falling behind 21-6, the Giants had first-and-goal from the 3 but ultimately turned the ball over on downs.

Wilson went 17 of 37 for 168 yards.

Injuries
Giants LB Micah McFadden (leg) was carted off on New York’s second defensive series.

Up next
The Giants are at Dallas next Sunday. Washington is at Green Bay on Thursday night.