Tommy DeVito threw three touchdown passes and the New York Giants defense forced six turnovers in a 31-19 NFC East victory over the Washington Commanders Sunday in Landover, Md.
With Washington driving late in a bid for a potential game-winning touchdown, Isaiah Simmons picked off a fluttering pass by Sam Howell and ran 54 yards for a game-clinching touchdown with 16 seconds left.
Saquon Barkley had two of the touchdown receptions and rushed 14 times for 83 yards as the Giants (3-8) won for just the second time in their past nine games, with both of the victories coming over the Commanders (4-7).
In the second start of his career, DeVito weathered nine sacks to complete 18 of 26 passes for 246 yards without an interception. In the past three weeks, DeVito has been sacked 20 times.
Howell completed 31 of 45 passes for 255 yards and a touchdown, but his three interceptions were costly.
One of the Commanders’ most damaging mistakes came at the end of the third quarter when Chris Rodriguez Jr. fumbled and Micah McFadden recovered for New York.
On the next play, Barkley ran for 36 yards setting up his own 5-yard touchdown reception, which gave the Giants a 21-12 lead with 13:32 left.
New York increased its lead to 24-12 on a 36-yard field goal by Randy Bullock, following an interception by Damay Holmes.
Washington answered with Howell capping a 75-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson with 2:16 left.
After a three-and-out, Washington got the ball back at its 19. But after Howell drove the Commanders into Giants territory, he threw his game-ending pick.
In the first half, after Washington committed turnovers on its first two possessions, New York broke on top 7-0 as DeVito lofted a 24-yard touchdown pass to Barkley.
After the Commanders answered with a 23-yard field goal from Joey Slye, the Giants increased their lead to 14-3 as DeVito threw a 40-yard touchdown strike to Darius Slayton.
Washington responded with a 75-yard, 12-play drive capped by Howell who pinballed off tacklers near the goal line to score on a 7-yard run.
After Howell was knocked to the turf at the end of the play, a skirmish broke out resulting in the ejections of Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott and Commanders wideout Curtis Samuel.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has more than half of the Giants’ sacks this year, had two of New York’s four in the victory.
– Field Level Media