The Washington Commanders beat the New York Giants 24-21 on Thursday Night Football on November 12, 2026, at MetLife Stadium. Jayden Daniels threw a 32-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs with 57 seconds left, after the Giants had gone ahead 21-17 on a 66-yard J.J. McCarthy touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely.[12][13][14] The Giants fall to 5-3-1 and the Commanders improve to 3-5-1. Washington also now holds the head-to-head edge, after the 27-27 tie in Week 5.[4][12][13]
 | |
| Result | Commanders 24, Giants 21[12][13] |
|---|---|
| Winning score | Daniels 32-yd TD pass to Diggs, 0:57 left[12][13][15] |
| Date | Thursday, November 12, 2026[1][2] |
| Kickoff | 8:15 p.m. ET / 1:15 a.m. GMT (Fri)[1][2] |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey[2][6] |
| Stream | Prime Video; NFL+ on phones[1][3][7] |
| Local TV | Fox 5 (New York market)[1][3] |
| Commentary | Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung[3][7] |
| Records after | Giants 5-3-1; Commanders 3-5-1 (before kickoff: 5-2-1 and 2-5-1)[4][5] |
| Last meeting | 27-27 tie, Week 5, Northwest Stadium[2][4] |
| All-time series | Giants lead 107-74-6[2] |
Result: Commanders 24, Giants 21
It was a close game all night. Both teams scored touchdowns in the last minutes of the first half, and Washington led 10-7 at half-time and 17-14 after three quarters.[16][17][22] Cam Skattebo, back from a hamstring injury, played as the Giants' main running back and scored two touchdowns.[18][19]
With 8:13 left, McCarthy beat pressure on third down and found Likely over the middle. The tight end ran the rest of the way for a 66-yard touchdown and a 21-17 Giants lead.[13][14] At that point Likely had a career-high 127 yards on nine catches, according to NBC Sports.[14]
The fourth quarter then swung twice. Giants safety Jevón Holland intercepted Daniels near the end zone, which was Daniels' first interception of the season. Washington's defence got the ball back, and Daniels threw a second interception on fourth-and-1.[12][13] The Giants could not run down the clock. Washington got the ball back once more, and Daniels found Diggs for the 32-yard winner with 57 seconds to go.[12][13][15] The New York Post says McCarthy's third-down pass to Malik Nabers on the last drive was picked off, which ended the game.[13]
| Moment | What happened | Score after |
|---|---|---|
| Half-time | Washington lead after both teams trade late touchdowns | WAS 10-7 |
| Third quarter | Skattebo's second TD, then Washington retakes the lead | WAS 17-14 |
| 4th qtr, 8:13 | McCarthy to Likely, 66-yard touchdown | NYG 21-17 |
| 4th qtr, ~5:00 | Holland intercepts Daniels near the end zone | NYG 21-17 |
| 4th qtr, 0:57 | Daniels to Diggs, 32-yard touchdown | WAS 24-21 |
McCarthy threw for a career-high 293 yards, going 23 of 36, according to the New York Post.[13] One more moment went viral: Giants quarterback Jameis Winston tried to draw Washington offside with a "Who Let the Dogs Out?" hard count.[20][21]
What the result means
Before the game, Washington's players called it a must-win. A loss would have left them four games behind the Giants with eight to play.[12] Now the gap is two games, at 5-3-1 against 3-5-1, and the Commanders have the better head-to-head record after a tie and a win.[4][12][13]
Kickoff time and how to watch
The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 12. That is 7:15 p.m. in Chicago and 5:15 p.m. on the West Coast. In the UK it starts at 1:15 a.m. on Friday, November 13.[1][2]
Thursday Night Football is a Prime Video game, so most of the US needs an Amazon Prime membership or a Prime Video subscription to watch it. Fans in the New York market can also watch on Fox 5, and the NFL+ app streams it on phones and tablets.[1][3][7] Al Michaels calls the game with Kirk Herbstreit as analyst and Kaylee Hartung on the sideline.[3][7]
On the radio, the Giants broadcast is on WFAN (101.9 FM and 660 AM) with Bob Papa and Carl Banks, and the Giants Radio Network carries it outside New York. Commanders fans can listen on Big 100.[3][7]
Why this game matters
The two teams met in Week 5 at Northwest Stadium and finished 27-27 after overtime. It is still the only tie in the NFL this season.[4][5] Washington was in range for a 42-yard field goal to win it, but the clock ran out before the offense could stop it, a finish Jayden Daniels later blamed on himself.[4][8]
Since then the season has gone in opposite directions. The Giants are 2-1 since the tie, beat the Philadelphia Eagles 19-11 on Sunday and sit alone at the top of the NFC East. Washington is 1-2 and lost 20-13 to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9.[5][8][9] Yahoo Sports says the Giants would be the No. 3 seed in the NFC if the season ended now.[8]
The maths is simple. A Giants win would put them four games clear of Washington with the tiebreaker. A Commanders win would cut the gap to two games and hand Washington the tiebreaker.[5][8] NFL.com calls it "now or never" for Washington, and Daniels called the game a "must-win" after the Rams loss.[4][8]
Injury report
Commanders. Center Lucas Patrick (concussion) and tight end Colson Yankoff (knee) are out. Nick Allegretti, a former guard with 34 career starts, starts at center against a Giants defense that blitzes more than most.[9][10] Receiver Treylon Burks, who missed the Rams game with a foot injury, has no designation and will play. Cornerback Amik Robertson (ankle) is also available.[10]
Giants. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy hurt his hip against the Eagles and missed part of the third quarter, but he practised fully on Tuesday and Wednesday and has no game status. Running back Cam Skattebo (hamstring) is also cleared. Linebacker Malik Harrison (groin) is the only Giants player listed as questionable.[4][10][11]
Players to watch
- J.J. McCarthy, Giants QB. Traded from Minnesota in late September, he has made two starts for New York. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 127 yards against the Eagles before the hip injury, and Jameis Winston led the team's only touchdown drive in that game.[2][4][8]
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders QB. In the Week 5 tie he became the first quarterback to run for 100 or more yards and two touchdowns in a game against the Giants. He has only 49 rushing yards in his last three starts.[4][8]
- Malik Nabers, Giants WR. He caught 11 passes for 121 yards and the tying touchdown in the first meeting, and has 53 catches for 648 yards this season.[2][8]
- Arvell Reese, Giants LB. The rookie had 12 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble against the Eagles and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[2][4]
- Sonny Styles, Commanders LB. Reese's former Ohio State team-mate leads Washington in tackles and had 13 in the Rams game.[2][4]
The coaches
John Harbaugh is in his first season with the Giants. His side's division lead in Week 10 is the latest the Giants have led the NFC East since 2020, and they have not won the division since 2011, the year they also won the Super Bowl.[5] Harbaugh was 12-6 in Thursday games with Baltimore, including 9-1 at home.[5]
On the other side, Dan Quinn's position is under pressure. Yahoo Sports says his job "might be in jeopardy" with a loss, and Hogs Haven writes that he "is coaching for his job".[7][8]
Frequently asked questions
Who won Giants vs Commanders on Thursday night?
Washington won 24-21. Stefon Diggs caught the go-ahead touchdown with 57 seconds left.[12][13]
What was the final score of the Giants game?
Commanders 24, Giants 21, at MetLife Stadium on November 12, 2026. It was the Giants' third loss of the season, and they are now 5-3-1.[12][13]
What time was the Giants vs Commanders game?
It kicked off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 12, 2026, which is 5:15 p.m. PT and 1:15 a.m. GMT on Friday.[1][2]
What channel was Thursday Night Football on?
Prime Video streamed it nationally. In the New York area it was also on Fox 5.[1][3]
Did J.J. McCarthy play?
Yes, he started. He had no injury designation after full practices on Tuesday and Wednesday, and he threw the 66-yard touchdown to Isaiah Likely.[4][11]
Who won the last Giants vs Commanders game?
Nobody. The Week 5 game ended 27-27 after overtime. The Giants' last win over Washington was 31-19 in Week 11 of 2023.[2][4]
Where is the game being played?
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Giants' home.[2][6]
Read also: our guide to the 2026 NFL trade deadline.
References
- "Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants: How to watch Thursday Night Football tonight". Yahoo Sports. November 12, 2026. sports.yahoo.com
- "Numbers to know for Giants vs. Commanders". Giants.com. November 12, 2026. giants.com
- "Giants vs. Commanders: How to Watch, Listen and Live Stream Week 10". Giants.com. November 12, 2026. giants.com
- "Commanders vs. Giants: Three must-know storylines for Thursday's Week 10 prime-time game". NFL.com. November 11, 2026. nfl.com
- "Game Preview: Nothing worthwhile comes easy for first-place Giants". Giants.com. November 12, 2026. giants.com
- "Injury Report: Statuses for Giants vs. Commanders on Thursday Night Football". Giants.com. November 12, 2026. giants.com
- "How to watch Commanders vs Giants: TV, radio, streaming, Week 10 injury report". Hogs Haven. November 12, 2026. hogshaven.com
- "NFL Thursday Night Football preview: Commanders try to put previous nightmare vs. Giants behind them". Yahoo Sports. November 12, 2026. sports.yahoo.com
- "Lucas Patrick, Colson Yankoff ruled out vs. Giants". Commanders.com. November 11, 2026. commanders.com
- "Commanders injury report: Treylon Burks will play, Lucas Patrick will not". Hogs Haven. November 11, 2026. hogshaven.com
- "Giants Week 10 injury report vs. Commanders for TNF: J.J. McCarthy, Cam Skattebo ready to rock". Yahoo Sports (ClutchPoints). November 12, 2026. sports.yahoo.com
- "Key takeaways from dramatic, must-win Commanders victory over the Giants". Hogs Haven. November 13, 2026. hogshaven.com
- "Giants blow late lead in fourth quarter to suffer heartbreaking 'TNF' loss to Commanders". New York Post. November 13, 2026. nypost.com
- "Isaiah Likely's 66-yard TD has Giants leading, puts him over 100 yards". NBC Sports (ProFootballTalk). November 12, 2026. nbcsports.com
- "WATCH: Stefon Diggs has 32-yard game-winning TD on TNF vs Giants". Touchdown Wire (USA Today). November 12, 2026. touchdownwire.usatoday.com
- "Thursday Night Football: Commanders lead Giants 10-7 at halftime". NBC Sports. November 12, 2026. nbcsports.com
- "Commanders back in front of Giants, 17-14". NBC Sports. November 12, 2026. nbcsports.com
- "NFL Week 10 Recap: Immediate fantasy football takeaways from Commanders-Giants". PFF. November 12, 2026. pff.com
- "Giants' Cam Skattebo arrives with 'Iron Man' helmet, scores 2 TDs vs. Commanders". USA Today. November 12, 2026. usatoday.com
- "Jameis Winston adds to history of viral moments with 'Who Let The Dogs Out?' hard count". Sporting News. November 12, 2026. sportingnews.com
- "WATCH: Giants, Commanders trade TDs in final minutes of first half". Yahoo Sports (Touchdown Wire). November 12, 2026. sports.yahoo.com
- "'Who let the dogs out?' Jameis Winston busts out hilarious cadence". USA Today. November 12, 2026. usatoday.com
Image credits: cover and charts by Trend Brief Today.