NFL Week 9 PFF ReFocused: New York Giants 23, Washington Football Team 20

The Washington Football Team looked rusty today, coming off a bye week to lose for the second time in three weeks to the New York Giants. Washington quarterback Kyle Allen exited the game early with an ankle injury, Alex Smith threw back-to-back interceptions in the fourth quarter and the Giants walked off the field with a 23-20 win.

Editor's note: All of PFF's grades and advanced stats from this game will be finalized and made available to ELITE subscribers within 24 hours of the final whistle.

Story Of The Game

Both offenses looked atrocious and finished the game with negative EPA per play on the ground and through the air. The 10 points as a result of their takeaways turned out to be the separating factor for the New York Giants.

Washington made a concerted effort to get the ball into its playmakers’ hands as quickly as possible. Terry McLaurin and Cam Sims combined to catch 10 passes for 225 yards, averaging 3.4 yards per route run.

Five turnovers by the Washington offense, three in the first half alone, cost Ron Rivera and company the game. The Giants are a bottom-five defense in coverage, but Smith failed to take advantage. Instead, he finished the game with two turnover-worthy-plays, three interceptions and an average depth of target of 3.2 yards.

Kudos to Daniel Jones for protecting the football. In 20 career starts, he has committed 43 turnovers. The Washington defensive line generated 15 total pressures today, but none resulted in a takeaway.

Rookie Watch

Chase Young collected his second sack of the season this afternoon, appearing for 62 snaps along the Washington defensive line that features five first-round picks. Offensively, Antonio Gibson made a solid contribution with 10 touches for 54 total yards.

Andrew Thomas and Matthew Peart appear to be competing to be the full-time starter at left tackle for New York. Thomas logged 65 snaps to Peart’s 24, and neither surrendered anything in pass protection.

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