Notes & Stats: Giants defense records most Week 1 sacks since 2011

Giants.com

THE GAME:

  • Washington opened up the scoring on its second possession asQB Jayden DanielsfoundTE Zach Ertzfor a 7-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead.
  • The Giants responded with a 21-yard field goal byK Graham Ganoto cut into Washington's lead, 7-3.
  • The drive spanned 8:03 and 16 plays. The last time the Giants had a drive consisting of 8+ minutes and 16+ plays that ended in a score was vs. Washington on 11/3/2024: a 16-play, 9:43 drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • Washington took a 14-3 lead midway through the second quarter on a 6-yard touchdown run byRB Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
  • The Giants opened the scoring in the third quarter when Gano connected on a 55-yard field goal attempt with 1:47 left, making the score 14-6 Washington.
  • As a Giant, Gano has attempted 32 field goals of 50+ yards and been successful on 26. His 26 from 50+ are the most in franchise history.Joe Danelo(1976-1982) has the 2nd-most with 9 makes.
  • Washington capped off the scoring with a 19-yard touchdown run fromWR Deebo Samuelwith 7:09 remaining in the game. The Giants fell today by a score of 21-6.

NOTES TO KNOW:

  • QB Russell Wilsonmade his 200th career appearance and start today. He became just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to start all 200 of their first 200 games played, joiningMatthew Stafford,Matt RyanandPeyton Manning.

  • Wilson finished the day with 168 yards passing, moving his career total to 46,303 yards. After today's performance, Wilson climbed to 15th overall on the all-time passing yards list, passingVinny Testaverde(46,233) andCarson Palmer(46,247).
  • WR Malik Nabersfinished with 5 catches for 71 yards. Through 16 career games, Nabers has recorded 114 receptions, the 2nd-most by any player in NFL history in his first 16 games.WROdell Beckham Jr.owns the record for most catches in 16 career games with 115.

  • OLB Brian Burnsproduced 2.0 sacks, making him the first Giant sinceDE Jason Pierre-Paul(2.0 sacks at Washington on 9/11/11) to record 2.0+ sacks in an opening game.

  • OLB Kayvon ThibodeauxandLB Abdul Cartersplit 1 sack, bringing the Giants defense to a total of 3.0 sacks on the day. It marked the most sacks by the Giants defense in a Week 1 matchup since 2011, when they totaled 4.0 sacks at Washington on 9/11/11.

  • ILB Bobby Okerekeregistered 16 tackles, 1 shy of his career-high 17 that he set as a member of the Indianapolis Colts against the Giants in MetLife Stadium on 1/1/23.

  • Okereke became the second Giant since 1994 to record 16+ tackles in a Week 1 matchup, joiningLB B.J. Goodson, who totaled 18 tackles at Dallas on 9/10/2017.
  • The last player to record 16+ tackles in a Week 1 matchup wasZaire Franklin, who had 17 tackles for the Indianapolis Colts against Jacksonville on 9/10/23.

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