The winner of Sunday night’s matchup between the Giants and Commanders won’t clinch a playoff berth, but the path to the playoffs will become considerably simpler for the team that comes out on top.
That’s assuming there is a winner, of course. When these two met in Week 13, they finished in a 20-20 tie. With the Lions quickly approaching the playoff picture, the urgency will be higher this time around.
MORE: Commanders’ Charles Leno Jr. has strange comparison for tie vs. Giants
Both offenses will be trying to break through after coming up short in overtime two weeks ago. For the Giants, the goal will be to get Saquon Barkley back to early-season form, while the Commanders will look to get more consistency out of their hit-or-miss passing game.
Though both teams would be hurt by a loss, the Giants badly need a statement win to regain their confidence down the stretch. New York hasn’t won in more than a month and hasn’t beaten a team other than the Texans since Week 7.
MORE: Lions playoff chances: Detroit set up to sneak into playoffs
Both teams will remain in a playoff spot regardless of the result Sunday night, but the loser will lead the Lions and Seahawks by just a half-game with three weeks remaining.
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights as the Commanders host the Giants on “Sunday Night Football.” Follow along for all of the key moments from the Week 15 matchup.
MORE: Watch Giants vs. Commanders live with fuboTV (free trial)
Giants vs. Commanders score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Giants | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Commanders | 3 | – | – | – | – |
Giants vs. Commanders live updates, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’
(All times Eastern)
Commanders 3, Giants 0
8:48 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Ron Rivera lets Joey Slye try a field goal from 41 yards out, and Slye connects. The Commanders are on the board first.
8:45 p.m. — Antonio Gibson pushes the Commanders to about the Giants’ 25-yard line, but Kayvon Thibodeaux comes in and tackles Robinson for a loss on the next play. Washington is committed to the run right now.
8:42 p.m. — Brian Robinson Jr. is a man on a mission right now. He carries half the players on the field for a 15-yard gain.
Brian Robinson is RELENTLESS 😤
📺: #NYGvsWAS on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/BooZSZJZF4 pic.twitter.com/7zPUEXI5TA— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2022
8:37 p.m. — The Commanders force a punt themselves after a pair of incompletions by Jones. Still scoreless in Landover.
8:35 p.m. — The decision to punt was interesting. It would’ve been a 52-yard field goal attempt for Joey Slye, and the Giants’ return allowed New York to start just four yards from where the field goal try would’ve been.
8:32 p.m. — The Commanders go nowhere and don’t get into field goal range, so they’re punting it away. An underwhelming end to a promising drive. Here comes Daniel Jones…
8:29 p.m. — Powerful run by Robinson to get the first down and keep the Commanders’ drive alive.
8:28 p.m. — Terry McLaurin gets stopped short of a first down, but the Commanders are going for it on 4th & 1…
8:26 p.m. — A holding call turns what would’ve been a third down into a first down for the Commanders. Washington is in Giants territory just across midfield.
8:24 p.m. — Brian Robinson Jr. runs for a nice gain after a short pass from Heinicke. Robinson has played very well of late as he gets more comfortable in his rookie season.
8:23 p.m. — The Commanders receive the opening kickoff, and we are underway. Heinicke is ready to go.
8:17 p.m. — Chase Young was activated off IR, but he’s still not ready to make his season debut. Montez Sweat and Jonathan Allen will continue to anchor the Commanders’ defensive line.
Ski mask and all…Chase Young is here on the sidelines.
He is not playing tonight. pic.twitter.com/13KunRRXSS
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) December 18, 2022
7:52 p.m. — Daniel Jones’ prime-time struggles have been well documented. Taylor Heinicke, on the other hand, has won some big games under the lights. The pressure is on Jones to flip the narrative.
Pregame prep 💪 pic.twitter.com/d7c0plYSpw
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 19, 2022
7:49 p.m. — The Giants and Commanders aren’t playing a win-or-go-home game tonight, but the stakes are high. The Lions’ win today means the loser of this game will have two teams just a half-game behind them in the NFC wild card race.
Giants vs. Commanders start time
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 18
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Giants vs. Commanders will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET. The game will be played at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
What channel is Giants vs. Commanders on today?
- TV channel (national): NBC (U.S.) | TSN, CTV2 (Canada)
- Live stream: NBCSports.com, NBC Sports App, Peacock | fuboTV (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)
The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC. Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color commentary) and Melissa Stark (sideline reporter) will be on the call from Inglewood.
MORE: Giants’ playoff chances after loss to Eagles
A live stream of the game will be available on NBCSports.con, the NBC Sports App, Peacock, and fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
Viewers in Canada can watch the game on TSN or CTV2. They can also stream it with DAZN, which carries every NFL game.