3 Biggest X-Factors For Giants to Take Down Commanders This Week

The New York Giants have opened the 2026 NFL season with a record of 3-1 through the first four weeks of the year.

New York did lose starting quarterback Jaxson Dart to a season-ending injury, but the team has been able to stay the course. The Giants' defense has played well, sealing each of the last two wins for this team.

Now, the Giants will be heading out on the road to face their NFC East rivals, the Washington Commanders. Washington is 1-3 on the season, and they will be trying to get back on track against New York.

Here are three of the biggest X-Factors for the Giants to take down their rivals this week:

1. Get Malik Nabers More Involved

Wide receiver Malik Nabers returned from injury this season and as each passing week has gone by, he has slowly looked more comfortable for the Giants. Last week against the Cardinals, Nabers posted six catches for 112 yards and one touchdown, helping New York get the win.

Against the Commanders, getting Nabers more involved will be key for this team, and quarterback Jameis Winston. If Nabers is healthy, he has incredible talent that can flip a game almost in an instant.

2. Win the Jameis Winston Experience

Since he entered into the NFL, Winston has been one of the more inconsistent players in the entire league. Some weeks Winston looks like the former No. 1 overall draft pick that he was, and in others, he looks like he should only be a backup quarterback in the league.

Through the first two games with New York, the Giants have gotten the full Winston experience, seeing the highs and lows. But against the Commanders, if New York can be on the positive side of this, they will have a good chance to win.

3. Put Pressure on Jayden Daniels

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels will be coming back from injury in this game against the Giants, after missing the last few weeks. Daniels could be a little rusty, so the Giants will need to do whatever they can to make his life as uncomfortable as possible in this contest.

Daniels has never lost to the Giants in his NFL career, going 3-0 to start, but this is a different New York team that will be trying to change that narrative. If the Giants can contain Daniels, keeping him in the pocket, they should have a strong chance to move to 4-1 on the season.