Giants vs. Commanders score, takeaways: NFC East rivals end in tie after long Graham Gano FG falls short in OT

The Giants had a shot to win the game at the buzzer in OT, but couldn't capitalize

The New York Giants and Washington Commanders put everything they had on the line for 70 minutes, but neither could come away with the win in Week 13 as Graham Gano's 58-yard field goal at the end of overtime fell short for New York, resulting in a 20-20 tie.

The Giants forced the Commanders to punt late in overtime, but had no timeouts and just over 30 seconds left to try and get into field goal range after starting from their own 43. Daniel Jones hit Richie James for 14 yards to the Commanders' 43 on first down and then completed a pass to tight end Daniel Bellinger for 3 yards to get the Giants to the 40. The Giants couldn't get any farther after an incompletion on third down and Gano was brought on to win the game. His kick was right down the middle, but fell just short of the crossbar and the NFC East rivals had to settle for a deadlock. 

Both teams had chances to win in overtime, but when each defense needed a stop, it got it down. 

The Giants had a 20-13 lead after trailing 10-0 in the first quarter, but Jahan Dotson's stellar 28-yard touchdown reception with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter evened things up. Dotson broke a few tackles on the play to get into the end zone.

Jones recovered nicely after fumbling on the Giants' first drive. He finished 25 of 31 (and 19 of 20 at one point during the second half before three straight incompletions) for 200 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 71 yards on 12 attempts. Saquon Barkley was held to 63 yards on 18 carries, but did have five catches for 18 yards as the Giants featured him most of the first half. The Giants only had the ball for just under 29 minutes in regulation and overtime. Washington controlled the ball most of the game. 

Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke continued his strong connection with Terry McLaurin as the star wideout had eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Heinicke put together another good game, finishing with 275 yards on 27-of-41 passes with two touchdowns. Rookie running back Brian Robinson had 96 yards on 21 carries.  

This is a crucial stretch for both NFC East teams as they make a push for a postseason berth. This was the first of two matchups in the span of three weeks as they'll meet again in Week 15.

For a more detailed breakdown of how this game unfolded, check out our takeaways below. 

Why neither team won

Nobody likes a tie, but both teams got conservative in overtime and seemed to be playing for it. 

The Commanders got to the Giants' 44 on their first drive of overtime, but then went with two straight runs and a short pass and ended up punting. After New York took over, it got to Washington's 43 but opted to punt instead of either going for it on 4th-and-3 or kicking a potential game-winning 60-yard field goal.

For a head coach nicknamed "Riverboat Ron'' and a rookie head coach who earned the admiration of his players by going for two points and the win in the opener against the Titans, it was a little puzzling. 

Turning point

With the Giants leading 20-13 and 2:47 remaining in the game, the Commanders had a 4th-and-4 from their own 27 and converted as Heinicke scrambled away from pressure and hit Curtis Samuel for a 20-yard gain on a beautiful throw on the run. Washington would go on to score the game-tying touchdown later in the drive. 

Play of the game

While the play from Heinicke to Samuel kept things alive for the Commanders, this game-tying touchdown catch and run later in the drive from rookie wide receiver Jahan Dotson broke the hearts of the home crowd. Dotson broke a tackle and then spun out of another one and sprinted to the end zone. 

What's next

From here, the Giants (7-4-1) will be home again next week and face the 11-1 Philadelphia Eagles. As for the Commanders (7-5-1), they'll be on a bye and await the Giants at home in Week 15.

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:25 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Gano's kick is short and we have a 20-20 tie. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:25 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Graham Gano will come on to attempt a 58-yard field goal. Giants will either win or it's a tie. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:24 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants will have time for one more play, :10 left from the Commanders 40.

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:22 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants will start from their own 43 with :28 left

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:22 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Commanders will be punting back to the Giants with :37 left. No timeouts for the Giants. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:20 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Third and 10 for the Commanders. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:17 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Commanders will have the ball at their own 10 and just need a field goal. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:17 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Trying to get way too cute with that play. That doesn't work in the NFL. Giants punting. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:16 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants run the most questionable play call I've seen in a while on 3rd and 2 and it fails. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:12 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Two-minute warning in OT. Giants near midfield after two grabs from Hodgins. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:09 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants take over deep in their own end with just over 4 minutes left in OT. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:09 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants defense forces three negative plays and Washington will punt it away. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:05 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants forced to punt. Washington will take over at their own 33

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:01 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants will start from their own 27 yard line. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 4:00 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

This is the sixth overtime game between these teams. It's 2-2-1 so far. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:59 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Daniel Jones had just one incompletion all game (a spike) until the Giants final drive of regulation when he had three. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:59 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants win the toss and will receive to start overtime. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:55 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Looks like overtime as Giants are deep in their own end with just :13 left. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:54 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants get a stop on third down and the Commanders will punt. New York had a shot at two interceptions on the drive. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:52 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Commanders call timeout with :39 left. Ball on own 37

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:52 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Washington almost in field goal range. Giants have blown this game. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:50 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Commanders have 1:17 remaining and three timeouts and will start from their own 12 yard line. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:48 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants will be punting and looks like Washington will pull this one out. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:48 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants going deep two straight plays and both incomplete. Commanders gonna get the ball back quickly. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:47 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Darius Slayton just dropped what would have been a 35-yard completion.

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:46 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Intersting strategy to use a practice squad, undrafted rookie in coverage late in the game. And it'll haunt the Giants. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:45 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Jahan Dotson with a 30-yard catch and score. Broke about three tackles on the play and we are tied at 20. 
Commanders 20, Giants 20

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:42 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The pass was a 20-yarder to Curtis Samuel. He was wide open after Heinicke rolled out of the pocket under pressure. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:41 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Two minute warning. Commanders will have a 2nd and 10 from their own 47. Some more Heinicke magic on the way? Stay tuned. 

[Dec 4, 2022 at 3:40 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Heinicke scrambles and makes a throw on the run for a first down. And the drive continues.