We know officially the Washington Football Team will open the 2021 season at home against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. Thanks to schedule leaks, we now know Washington’s Week 2 game will be in prime time on Thursday Night Football.
According to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, Washington will host the New York Giants in Week 2 on Thursday Night Football, Sept. 16.
That means Washington will have back-to-back home games to start the regular season. One against a tough AFC West opponent and the other against a division rival.
Last season, the Giants swept Washington, beating them in two tight games. However, Washington won five of their last seven games to beat out the Giants for the NFC East division title with a 7-9 record in their first season under head coach Ron Rivera.
The Giants finished 6-10 in their first year with head coach Joe Judge. But their season was marred by injuries much like the rest of the NFC East. Most notably running back Saquon Barkley, who missed 14 games last season with a torn ACL.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has struggled throughout his first two seasons in the NFL. However, he has seemingly owned the Washington Football Team. He is a perfect 4-0 against Washington, throwing for 901 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. His completion percentage of 68.3 against Washington is Jones’ best against any team he has faced more than once in his career.
Washington will get another chance to finally beat Jones and the Giants. They’ve lost five straight in all against the Giants. Washington’s last win against the Giants occurred on October 28, 2018.
Placing the NFC East battle on Thursday Night Football is no surprise. Despite the recent struggles, the division has been a ratings boom for the league. However, traditionally, the early TNF games usually are relegated to NFL Network. Will FOX give up the opportunity to broadcast a game pitting two large TV markets, New York and DC, to cable?
