Late McCarthy Interception Seals Giants’ 24-21 Loss to Commanders/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ J.J. McCarthy threw for a career-high 293 yards, but a late interception sealed the Giants’ 24-21 loss to Washington on Thursday. The Commanders’ aggressive blitzes disrupted New York’s final possession before Rasul Douglas intercepted a pass intended for Malik Nabers. McCarthy’s first home start for the Giants included a 66-yard touchdown to Isaiah Likely, but the defeat tightened New York’s position atop the NFC East.
Quick Look
- Final score: Commanders 24, Giants 21.
- Career high: McCarthy completed 23 passes for 293 yards.
- Decisive turnover: Rasul Douglas intercepted McCarthy with 34 seconds remaining.
- Final-drive pressure: Washington forced two incompletions before the interception.
- Big touchdown: McCarthy connected with Isaiah Likely for a 66-yard score.
- Daniels responds: Washington’s quarterback overcame his first two interceptions of the season to lead the go-ahead drive.
- Division implications: The loss weakened the Giants’ hold on the NFC East lead.
Deep Look
Late Interception Ends McCarthy’s Comeback Opportunity
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — J.J. McCarthy delivered the most productive passing performance of his NFL career Thursday night, but Washington’s pressure and a late interception left his first home start for the New York Giants ending in disappointment.
Rasul Douglas intercepted a pass intended for Malik Nabers with 34 seconds remaining, securing the Commanders’ 24-21 victory.
The turnover followed two incomplete passes as Washington repeatedly blitzed McCarthy on New York’s final possession.
“It’s easy to second-guess the final two passes,” McCarthy said. “The pressure was coming. It’s one-on-one outside. I wanted to give my playmaker a chance.”
Washington Turns Up Pressure on Final Possession
The Giants regained possession with less than a minute remaining after Jayden Daniels led Washington’s go-ahead scoring drive.
McCarthy opened the possession with a 21-yard completion to Malachi Fields, creating an opportunity for a late response.
Washington defensive coordinator Daronte Jones then increased the pressure. Jones previously worked in Minnesota under Brian Flores while McCarthy was there.
Incomplete throws toward Fields and Darnell Mooney preceded the interception on the jump ball to Nabers.
“Zero blitzes, and those are the routes getting run,” Giants coach John Harbaugh said.
Career-High Yardage Offers Little Consolation
McCarthy finished with 23 completions for 293 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely.
However, his final three attempts prevented him from completing a potential game-winning drive.
“I’m sure you could look at the tape and we’re going to be sitting there disappointed of what if, could have done this,” McCarthy said.
“Could’ve bought more time with a little more depth, but at the end of the day the thought process was give it to one of my guys and have him go make a play.”
Giants’ Division Lead Becomes Less Secure
Daniels recovered from throwing his first two interceptions of the season to deliver the scoring drive that put Washington ahead.
New York, which also trailed 10-7 and 17-14, could not produce enough plays to answer at the finish.
“We have to get off to a faster start and we have to to continue to make plays,” McCarthy said. “We didn’t make enough plays to win it.”
The defeat left the Giants’ hold on the NFC East more precarious despite McCarthy’s career-high passing total.
More on Sports