3 reasons for optimism in Week 9

The New York Giants will host the Washington Commanders on Sunday in Week 9, as they try to end their three-game losing streak.

The two teams will meet for the second time this season after the Giants dropped the first game against the Commanders, 21-18, back in Week 2.

Big Blue lost kicker Graham Gano early on due to roster management negligence and became the first team in NFL history to lose a game in regulation while scoring three-plus touchdowns and allowing no touchdowns.

The Giants remain four-point underdogs after opening up as 3.5-point home underdogs earlier this week.

Here are three reasons for optimism ahead of Sunday’s divisional game.

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Favorable matchup for Giants’ offense

The last time these two teams met back in Week 2, the Giants scored three offensive touchdowns, something they have only done twice this season.

New York’s offense has struggled mightily over the last three weeks. However, Daniel Jones should be looking forward to playing a Commanders team which he has had success against in his career.

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Red zone defense

As it has been highlighted following the matchup in Week 2, the Giants were on the wrong side of history. The bad news is that the Commanders had their way getting down the field at will, never having to punt the first time these two teams met. The good news? The Giants’ defense buckled down in the red zone and did not allow a touchdown all game long.

The Commanders are 24th in the league in red zone (touchdown) offense and the Giants’ pass rush has been playing at an elite level as of late.

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Giants pass rush

The Giants pass rush has been playing at a historic level and leads the league with 35 sacks and a sack rate of 13.31% ahead of Week 9. The individual leading the league in sacks? Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence.

Jayden Daniels was sacked five times back in Week 2, the highest sack total in his young rookie season. Daniels does a really good job at protecting the football but the Giants’ pass rush gives them a chance to limit the Commanders’ offense on Sunday.