Giants' defense thwarts Commanders' comeback bid

Tyrod Taylor tossed two touchdown passes and the New York Giants' defense held firm for a 14-7 home win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

In his second start for the injured Daniel Jones, Taylor went 18-for-29 passing for 279 yards. Darren Waller caught seven passes for 98 yards and a TD for New York, and Saquon Barkley rushed 21 times for 77 yards while adding three catches for 41 yards and a score.

The Giants (2-5) scored on offense for the first time since Sept. 21, ending a three-game drought. Their defense racked up six sacks -- two by Dexter Lawrence and 1.5 by Kayvon Thibodeaux -- and Leonard Williams blocked a field goal.

Sam Howell went 22-for-42 passing for 249 yards and an interception for the Commanders (3-4), who punted 10 times, including eight three-and-outs.

Washington recovered a fumble by Barkley in the fourth quarter and drove 85 yards in 17 plays. But on fourth-and-5 at New York's 7, Howell was pressured by Isaiah Simmons and threw incomplete to Jahan Dotson.

New York opened the scoring in the first minute of the second quarter. On third-and-goal from the 15 after an offensive holding penalty, Taylor connected with Waller for the tight end's first touchdown as a Giant.

After dueling three-and-outs, Giants rookie Deonte Banks ran down his first career interception. Two plays later, Barkley cut left for a reception and took it 32 yards to the end zone, making it 14-0 with 8:56 before halftime.

The Giants outgained the Commanders 256-46 in the first half and sacked Howell five times. New York entered Sunday with just five sacks, last in the NFL.

The Commanders punted at the end of their first drive of the second half. But Sterling Shepard muffed the return, Washington's Dyami Brown recovered at the 21 and six plays later, Brian Robinson scored on a 4-yard run with 10:21 left in the third.

Washington later drove 81 yards in eight plays and amassed zero points. The Commanders tried a 27-yard field goal on fourth-and-3 from the Giants' 9, and Williams got a mitt on it.

The Giants drove to the red zone, but Daron Payne stripped Barkley of the ball as he went to the ground and collected it at the Washington 8, setting up the Commanders' futile final push.