LANDOVER, Md. — Judging by the number of mistakes in critical moments, neither the Giants nor Commanders deserved to win Sunday’s game. 

So neither did. 

The Giants missed a field goal — Dominic Zvada’s third errant kick on five tries — and lost a fumble in a no-risks-acceptable situation on their two overtime possessions. The Commanders inexplicably let the clock expire while in range to attempt a winning 42-yard field goal, resulting in a 27-27 tie on the rain-soaked grass at Northwest Stadium. 

“It feels like a loss to me,” left tackle Andrew Thomas told The Post, after blocking for Jameis Winston’s 54 passes, 326 yards and three touchdowns. “With the way our defense played and Jameis played, you want to come out with a win. I think to be a playoff team, you have to find a way to win those games.” 

The tie tasted better for the Giants (3-1-1) than the Commanders (1-3-1) because they authored a 14-point fourth-quarter comeback and then pulled a rabbit out of a hat when Jayden Daniels scrambled with 11 seconds left. With no timeouts, the Commanders couldn’t get back to the line of scrimmage in time to spike the ball. 

Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) fumbles the ball during overtime against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“I took the tight end to the flat, the quarterback looked and I think he didn’t expect him to be guarded,” outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux told The Post. “He didn’t throw the ball away, he ended up taking a sack and they couldn’t get up. Honestly, I didn’t expect them to run a play because they were already in field goal range.” 

Deonte Banks ran off the field pumping his fist — emblematic of the Giants feeling the relief of an escape more than any other emotion. 

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn reacts after the game against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“We didn’t lose,” Banks said. “I knew they had no timeouts, but I didn’t know they had no timeouts until I looked up and it said two seconds. I’m like, ‘Oh s–t, the game is over.’” 

It was a reprieve for Cam Skattebo. He fumbled for the fourth time (first one lost) in five games — the Giants’ second of the game and ninth of the season — when trying to get closer than a 42-yard field goal in the sudden-death portion of overtime. 

“It was a sigh of relief,” Skattebo said of the tie. “I probably won’t get reamed as much, but I’m still going to get reamed. I messed up a play. It sucks to be a part of that. 

Giants’ Malik Nabers (1) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Washington Commanders’ Mike Sainristil (0) during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. AP Photo/Nick Wass

“Every emotion you could possibly think when the other team has the ball past the 50-yard line goes through your head. It’s your fault.” 

The Giants entered Sunday wanting to make Daniels run and test his two-week recovery from a dislocated left elbow. He made them regret that game plan with 103 rushing yards, including touchdowns of 38 and 26 yards and a late 16-yard scramble to set up the kick that never happened. 

“We just have to be better,” Daniels said. “Starts with me.” 

It is the first time in 231 games since 1970 that the Giants did not lose after trailing by at least 14 points in the final eight minutes, per ESPN. Head coach John Harbaugh called the ending “pretty shocking.” 

“One thing that has become very evident is what is inside of our players,” Harbaugh said. “Their heart, their grit, their mental toughness, their ability to overcome adversity is A-plus, plus plus.” 

The Giants extended their early-season lead atop the NFC East to 1 ½ games after losses by the Eagles and Cowboys. It was the second time in the past five seasons that the Giants tied the Commanders. 

Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) celebrates with Malachi Fields (88) after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

“When your back is against the wall, you have to depend on your playmakers,” Winston said. “And I think we did a good job of doing that, mixing up on them and kind of just threw them off schedule.” 

Coming off back-to-back wins secured by interceptions in the shadow of their end zone in the final 20 seconds, the Giants rallied with two goal-line gifts from the offense, Isaiah Likely and the officials. 

Facing a 19-6 third-quarter deficit, Likely drew a pass interference penalty that wiped out Winston’s lone interception. He caught a 3-yard touchdown pass two plays later. 

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs away from New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. AP Photo/Nick Wass

Likely then scored a second touchdown — to cut the deficit to 27-20 — by reaching the ball across the goal line just before it was punched out of his grasp. A dogpile to recover the fumble in the end zone was still going when replay confirmed that Likely maintained possession just long enough. 

“We’re working a fumble drill, who’s got it ultimately,” referee Clete Blakeman said. “As we’re doing that, replay is already going back and looking at the play itself. It was a score before it was a fumble.” 

The Giants couldn’t get a rushing attack going in the slog — at least not in regulation — leading to the insertion of backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy to try zone reads in his season debut. He had 2 rushing yards and completed two passes negated by penalty. 

Isaiah Likely (9) of the Giants celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of a game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. Getty Images

Winston, Likely and Malik Nabers came to the rescue. Likely and Nabers combined for 33 targets and recorded 11 catches each — none bigger than Nabers’ game-tying 17-yard touchdown catch as he skied in double coverage. 

“I thought they played their hearts out, both of them,” Harbaugh said. “That’s what we need from those guys.” 

Zvada, who was a perfect 9-for-9 on field goals to start his rookie season, was only 2-for-5 in the horrid weather. The slow-starting offense did him no favors, forcing him to attempt four from 50 yards or farther on the first seven possessions. 

“It wasn’t a tie, it wasn’t a loss,” Likely said, “but it definitely was a blessing.”