EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Sensational rookie Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes to Terry McLaurin and the Washington Commanders defeated the struggling New York Giants 27-22 on Sunday, posting their best start to a season in nearly 30 years.

Daniels hit McLaurin with passes of 1 and 18 yards in the first half, and Austin Ekeler, filling in for the injured Brian Robinson, scored on a 1-yard run as the Commanders completed a season win over the NFC East rival Giants (2-7). Washington is 7-2 for the first time since 1996.

Austin Seibert, who made seven field goals in the Commanders' 21-18 win in September, added two more, and linebacker Dante Fowler had a big strip sack early to set up the first touchdown. The Giants have lost four straight and were 0-5 at home.

Daniel Jones threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Manhertz and fought through two tackles on a 2-yard TD run for New York in the fourth quarter. He added a late 35-yard touchdown pass to rookie Theo Johnson, but the Giants missed both 2-point conversions. Jude McAtamney hit a 31-yard field goal in the Irishman's NFL debut.

The Giants were their own worst enemy. Jones' fumble on the sack occurred in Washington territory. New York had a serious missed tackle on a third-and-18 play late in the second quarter that led to a first down that enabled McLaurin's 18-yard TD on the next play. And the Giants had a TD returned by offensive pass interference on fourth-and-1 from the Washington 3 while trailing 21-7.

Unlike a week ago, when he completed a Hail Mary without having time to beat the Bears in his matchup with fellow rookie Caleb Williams, Daniels was in control the entire time. He finished 15 of 22 for 209 yards and iced the game with a 42-yard pass to Olamide Zaccheaus after New York had gotten within five yards.

Jones finished 20 of 26 for 174 yards. Malik Nabers, Daniels' LSU teammate, had nine catches for 59 yards. Nabers exchanged friendly blows with Daniels after an incomplete pass in the fourth quarter.

Injuries

Washington: Robinson was inactive with a hamstring injury. … DT Philarian Mathis was evaluated for a concussion in the fourth quarter.

Giants: Fullbacks Darius Slayton and Ihmir Smith-Marsette were both evaluated late for concussions.

Next

Commanders: Host Pittsburgh next Sunday.

Giants: Travel to Germany where they will face Carolina next Sunday in Munich.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl