Jayden Daniels leads Commanders to 27-22 win over Giants for their best start since 1996

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Jayden Daniels didn't need to throw a Hail Mary on the final play — or do anything spectacular, really, to lead his Washington Commanders past the bumbling New York Giants.

The sensational rookie made plays with his arm and legs and got a solid supporting effort from his defense as the Commanders again showed the rest of the NFL they're for real by beating the Giants 27-22 on Sunday. Washington moved to 7-2 for the first time since 1996.

Daniels hit Terry McLaurin on scoring 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 sweep of the Giants (2-7).

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said his biggest concern against the NFC East rival Giants was whether his team would recover from the emotional win over the Bears, which ended when Noah Brown caught Daniels' deep throw that was tipped to him in the end zone with no time left.

“It was like a historic win for us last week at home in the fashion it went,” Quinn said. “How do you recognize it and yet fill the tanks back up knowing you're heading back into a division game? I thought it showed a lot of maturity from the team and poise to say, ‘That was cool, now we got to get right back into the next process.’”

Daniels was in control throughout, finishing 15 of 22 for 209 yards. He iced the game with a 42-yard pass to Olamide Zaccheaus after New York got within five.

“I’m just happy for the fan base,” said Daniels, who added that his focus remains one game and one week at a time. “They can be so proud of the product we are putting out on the field.”

Austin Seibert, who kicked 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 opening touchdown. The Giants have lost four straight and fell to 0-5 at home.

“Tough game, competitive game,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “In the end just didn’t make enough plays to get the outcome we wanted.”

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

The Giants were their own worst enemy. Jones' fumble on the sack by Fowler was ruled an incomplete pass on the field, but Washington challenged the call and won. The play started at the Washington 29 and ended with Bobby Wagner recovering the fumble at the New York 31.

New York also had a major missed tackle on a third-and-18 play late in the second quarter, leading to a first down that set up McLaurin's 18-yard TD on the next play. And the Giants had a TD called back by an offensive pass interference on fourth-and-1 from the Washington 3 while trailing 21-7.

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

Nabers would not say what the two discussed. He was willing to comment on Daniels' play.

“Nothing different. Leading his team to a win — he’s going to do that every time he steps on the field,” Nabers said.

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

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

Commanders: Host Pittsburgh next Sunday.

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

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Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (30) carries the ball against New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (21) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Washington Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) sacks New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Giants tight end Chris Manhertz (85) makes a touchdown catch against Washington Commanders safety Percy Butler (35) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott (82) carries the ball against New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) comes down with a pass against Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) tries to break a tackle by Washington Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (1) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (30) pushes past New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) carries the ball against New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) talks with New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) after playing against the New York Giants in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) calls an audible at the line of scrimmage against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) dives for a pass against Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (25) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) carries the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)

U.S. forces have boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea. The announcement was made Friday by the U.S. military. The Trump administration has been targeting sanctioned tankers traveling to and from Venezuela.

The pre-dawn action was carried out by U.S. Marines and Navy, taking part in the monthslong buildup of forces in the Caribbean, according to U.S. Southern Command, which declared “there is no safe haven for criminals” as it announced the seizure of the vessel called the Olina.

Navy officials couldn’t immediately provide details about whether the Coast Guard was part of the force that took control of the vessel as has been the case in the previous seizures. A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard said there was no immediate comment on the seizure.

The Olina is the fifth tanker that has been seized by U.S. forces as part of a broader effort by Trump’s administration to control the distribution of Venezuela’s oil products globally following the U.S. ouster of President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid.

The latest:

Richard Grenell, president of the Kennedy Center, says a documentary film about first lady Melania Trump will make its premiere later this month, posting a trailer on X.

As the Trumps prepared to return to the White House last year, Amazon Prime Video announced a year ago that it had obtained exclusive licensing rights for a streaming and theatrical release directed by Brett Ratner.

Melania Trump also released a self-titled memoir in late 2024.

Some artists have canceled scheduled Kennedy Center performances after a newly installed board voted to add President Donald Trump’s to the facility, prompting Grenell to accuse the performers of making their decisions because of politics.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum says that she has asked her foreign affairs secretary to reach out directly to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio or Trump regarding comments by the American leader that the U.S. cold begin ground attacks against drug cartels.

In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News aired Thursday night, Trump said, “We’ve knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water and we are going to start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels. The cartels are running Mexico. It’s very sad to watch.”

As she has on previous occasions, Sheinbaum downplayed the remarks, saying “it is part of his way of communicating.” She said she asked her Foreign Affairs Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente to strengthen coordination with the U.S.

Sheinbaum has repeatedly rebuffed Trump’s offer to send U.S. troops after Mexican drug cartels. She emphasizes that there will be no violation of Mexico’s sovereignty, but the two governments will continue to collaborate closely.

Analysts do not see a U.S. incursion in Mexico as a real possibility, in part because Sheinbaum’s administration has been doing nearly everything Trump has asked and Mexico is a critical trade partner.

Trump says he wants to secure $100 billion to remake Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, a lofty goal going into a 2:30 meeting on Friday with executives from leading oil companies. His plan rides on oil producers being comfortable in making commitments in a country plagued by instability, inflation and uncertainty.

The president has said that the U.S. will control distribution worldwide of Venezuela’s oil and will share some of the proceeds with the country’s population from accounts that it controls.

“At least 100 Billion Dollars will be invested by BIG OIL, all of whom I will be meeting with today at The White House,” Trump said Friday in a pre-dawn social media post.

Trump is banking on the idea that he can tap more of Venezuela’s petroleum reserves to keep oil prices and gasoline costs low.

At a time when many Americans are concerned about affordability, the incursion in Venezuela melds Trump’s assertive use of presidential powers with an optical spectacle meant to convince Americans that he can bring down energy prices.

Trump is expected to meet with oil executives at the White House on Friday.

He hopes to secure $100 billion in investments to revive Venezuela’s oil industry. The goal rides on the executives’ comfort with investing in a country facing instability and inflation.

Since a U.S. military raid captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, Trump has said there’s a new opportunity to use the country’s oil to keep gasoline prices low.

The full list of executives invited to the meeting has not been disclosed, but Chevron, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips are expected to attend.

Attorneys general in five Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration after it said it would freeze money for several public benefit programs.

The Trump administration has cited concerns about fraud in the programs designed to help low-income families and their children. California, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois and New York states filed the lawsuit Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The lawsuit asks the courts to order the administration to release the funds. The attorneys general have called the funding freeze an unconstitutional abuse of power.

Iran’s judiciary chief has vowed decisive punishment for protesters, signaling a coming crackdown against demonstrations.

Iranian state television reported the comments from Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei on Friday. They came after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized Trump’s support for the protesters, calling Trump’s hands “stained with the blood of Iranians.”

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Hiring likely remained subdued last month as many companies have sought to avoid expanding their workforces, though the job gains may be enough to bring down the unemployment rate.

December’s jobs report, to be released Friday, is likely to show that employers added a modest 55,000 jobs, economists forecast. That figure would be below November’s 64,000 but an improvement after the economy lost jobs in October. The unemployment rate is expected to slip to 4.5%, according to data provider FactSet, from a four-year high of 4.6% in November.

The figures will be closely watched on Wall Street and in Washington because they will be the first clean readings on the labor market in three months. The government didn’t issue a report in October because of the six-week government shutdown, and November’s data was distorted by the closure, which lasted until Nov. 12.

FILE - President Donald Trump dances as he walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)