Despite many analysts predicting the Giants will have a slow start to the season, Dexter Lawrence and the Giants defensive line have different plans on how they will begin their year against the Commanders and Jayden Daniels.
Daniels had the Giants number in 2024, leading Washington to a 2-0 record on the year, completing 38 of 51 pass attempts for 435 yards and 2 scores, while also adding 18 carries for 79 yards on the ground in the 2 games combined.
The Giants lost both games by less than a touchdown, however in both matchups Daniels was able to hurt the Big Blue defense in a variety of ways and in week one of 2025, his dual-threat ability is something the Giants hope to limit.
One of the biggest expected strengths of the Giants defense is going to be the line, with Dexter Lawrence set to be the leader of that unit, and in week one against the Commanders he says his unit will be most responsible for slowing down Daniels.
“He (Jayden Daniels) is a special talent, guys like him, up the middle, d-line is going to have to slow him down and that is putting guys at his feet, getting our hands up to bat passes down, containing him, not letting him drift out, and being aggressive, not slowing down the rushes, not slowing down your aggressive mindset, still attacking him, and we just have to beat the guys up front first,” Lawrence said.
Last year, the Giants defense was a top 10 ranked unit in terms of total passing yards allowed, and in game 2 against the Commanders last year, they were able to hold Jaden Daniels to just 226 yards and no passing touchdowns, but what hurt the Giants numerous times last year, and in that game, was their run defense, which was 6th worst in the NFL.
Commanders running backs combined for 171 yards on 25 carries and although the Giants limited Daniels, which gave them a chance to win, he still managed to gain 44 yards on 10 carries on the ground and lead his team to a 21-18 victory.
A big part of the Giants struggles in the run game was their inability to make a tackle at the first point of contact, averaging a missed tackle 13.3% of the time, which led to over 1000 yards gained after missed tackles.
In 2025, Dexter Lawrence hopes to lead a defensive unit that is fundamentally sound across the board, but especially in the tackling department.
“Our dominance on every play, the way we communicate on the field, the way we run to the ball, the way we tackle, the way we do the simple things better. I think that is the biggest thing our growth has been so far in this camp,” Lawrence said.
Roy Robertson-Harris joins Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr and Lawrence as the big boys up front for the Giants, while Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux are joined by rookie Abdul Carter off the edge and there is a chance the Giants could have one of the most impactful front 7’s in the entire league.
The first 4 weeks of the Giants season contain no easy games, as outside of Washington, they will head to Dallas in week 2, before heading home to host the Chiefs and Chargers in weeks 3 and 4.
With the difficult schedule looming large, week one is an important one for the Giants as they look to find their footing early in the season and avoid the slow start many are predicting, that is why Dexter Lawrence didn’t mince words when giving expectations for week one.
“We gotta go beat Washington,” Lawrence said.
The Giants will look to knock off the Commanders at 1 PM EST on Sunday, as Brian Daboll attempts to start off year four on the right foot.
Author: Robbie Lastella
