In what should have been an iconic milestone, the New York Giants' 100th season saw them set an unprecedented and rather unfortunate NFL record. Despite scoring three touchdowns and not allowing any from their opponents, the Giants fell short against the Washington Commanders with a final score of 21-18.
A Historic Anomaly
Such an outcome is an anomaly in NFL history. The last time a team scored three touchdowns without conceding any and still lost was back in 1989, when the Los Angeles Rams faced a similar fate against the Minnesota Vikings in overtime. However, the Giants didn’t even need overtime for this bewildering result.
The loss was punctuated by a series of mishaps, primarily related to their kicking game. It began with punter Jamie Gillan, who missed the first extra point attempt. This initial stumble set a tone of unpredictability that haunted the Giants throughout the game.
Injury Woes
Kicker Graham Gano, an essential element of the Giants’ special teams, suffered a right hamstring injury while attempting to chase down Washington Commanders' running back Austin Ekeler during the opening kickoff. Ironically, Gano had been listed on the injury report with a right groin injury even before the game started. His absence left the Giants scrambling for options, as they had no backup kicker available on the active roster.
Conversion Catastrophes
Gillan's missed extra point prompted the Giants to attempt two two-point conversions after their subsequent touchdowns. Both attempts failed, leaving the team with a tantalizing tally of 18 points from three touchdowns but no additional extra points.
Washington, on the other hand, relied heavily on their kicker, Austin Seibert. Seibert was nothing short of clutch, converting all seven of his field goal attempts. This precision was crucial, given that Washington struggled to capitalize on their trips to the red zone. They went 0-for-6 in red zone efficiency and 0-for-3 in goal-to-go situations, a statistic that would typically spell disaster.
The Game-Changing Moment
Despite these struggles, Washington managed to score on every possession, save for the end-of-half kneel-down. Seibert's reliable leg secured the victory with a 30-yard field goal as time expired, cementing an end to the Giants’ hopes of salvaging the game.
This game was a testament to the unpredictable nature of football, where even the most unusual statistics can culminate in an unexpected outcome. For the Giants, it was a bitter pill to swallow, especially in a celebratory season marking their century-long existence.