Commanders tie Giants at 20 after New York's game winning kick falls short
NEW YORK - Giants kicker Graham Gano came up well short on a 58-yard field goal attempt as time expired in overtime, leaving New York and the Washington Commanders tied at 20 Sunday in a deadlock between teams on the periphery of the NFC playoff picture.
Taylor Heinicke threw two touchdown passes for Washington and hit a crucial fourth-down pass on a tying 90-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.
The Giants (7-4-1) ended a two-game losing streak, while the Commanders (7-5-1) are unbeaten in four (3-0-1) and have only one loss in their last eight games. The teams held the final two NFC postseason spots as the standings stood at the final whistle.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 04: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Commanders throws a pass in the second half of a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 04, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bel
Heinicke was 27 of 41 for 275 yards and threw touchdown passes of 19 yards to Terry McLaurin (8 catches, 105 yards) and 28 to Johan Dotson that tied it with 1:45 to play. That drive featured Heinicke rolling to his left to hit Curtis Samuel for 20 yards on a fourth-and-4 play from his own 27 with less than three minutes to play.
Daniel Jones threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Hodgins, and Saquon Barkley scored on a 13-yard run. Gano kicked two field goals for the Giants, who are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 04: Brian Robinson Jr. #8 of the Washington Commanders runs with the ball as Jaylon Smith #54 of the New York Giants defends in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 04, 2022 in East Rutherford, New J
The Giants’ defense set up Hodgins’ first NFL touchdown early in the second half for a 20-13 lead. Linebacker Azeez Ojulari, who came off injured reserve for the game, sacked Heinicke and forced a fumble. Oshane Ximines recovered, fumbled and Ojulari recovered at the 20-yard line.
Washington took leads of 10-0 and 13-10 only to see the Giants tie it just before halftime on Gano’s second field goal. Joey Slye kicked two field goals for the Commanders.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 04: Jahan Dotson #1 of the Washington Commanders scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 04, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by A
McLaurin scored after breaking a tackle by Fabian Moreau on a short pass from Heinicke.
Barkley tallied on a 13-yard run through a gapping hole for New York’s TD.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 04: Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 04, 2022 in East Rutherford, New
The Commanders have a bye week next week, before hosting the Giants for a rematch on December 18.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.