Rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito’s first three games in the NFL were tough, but his fourth time around was much better.
DeVito was 18 of 26 for 246 yards and three touchdowns and Isaiah Simmons returned an interception for another score in the final seconds to dash the Chiefs’ hopes of a comeback win. The 31-19 win moves the Giants to 3-8 heading into their Week 12 matchup with the Patriots.
The Commanders sacked DeVito nine times over the course of the game, but DeVito was always able to make big gains when he was able to avoid the pass rush long enough to make passes. Darius Slayton had a 40-yard score and connected with Saquon Barkley, WanDale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger for another 20-plus yard gain. Barkley caught DeVito’s other two touchdowns and picked up 140 yards from scrimmage despite his slow start on the ground.
Washington won’t be as impressed about their offensive outing. Sam Howell’s recent run of success was interrupted by three interceptions and three lost passes – one of which was on Byron Pringle’s return early in the second half – over the course of the game. There were also four Giants sacks that helped set the stage for a loss for the Leaders on a day in which they outrebounded the Giants and doubled their first downs.
There won’t be much time for the Leaders to lick their wounds as they’ll be in Dallas on Thursday and another loss would move them to 4-8 on the season. That will heat up the already hot seat occupied by coach Ron Rivera as the season moves into its final stretch, so it’s do-or-die time in Washington.