Game story
In Week 1 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-09-04, the New York Giants took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 16–7 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
E. Manning (New York Giants) paced the passing game, with +2.35 total EPA, and -6.2% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, P. Burress (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.10 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+7.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New York Giants changed the game: (12:56) 10-E.Manning pass deep right to 17-P.Burress pushed ob at WAS 40 for 30 yards (30-L.Landry).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | — | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| New York Giants | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 P. Burress · New York Giants · Receiving · +11.10 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
- 2 A.Randle El · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +4.36 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
- 3 S. Smith · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.00 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play
- 4 S. Moss · New York Giants · Receiving · +2.66 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.66 EPA/play
- 5 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +2.35 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
- 6 S. Moss · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +1.71 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
- 7 A. Toomer · New York Giants · Receiving · +1.32 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
- 8 D. Ward · New York Giants · Receiving · +0.87 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
P. Burress — NYG · Receiving
P. Burress posted the highest total EPA (+11.10) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New York Giants's efficiency. Across 10 counted snaps, they averaged +1.11 EPA per play.
The signature play (-3.76 EPA) came from New York Giants: (6:41) 10-E.Manning pass deep left intended for 89-K.Boss INTERCEPTED by 27-F.Smoot [99-A.Carter] at WAS 36. 27-F.Smoot to WAS 36 for no gain (12-S.Smith).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New York Giants — E. Manning
- Washington Commanders — S. Moss (J. Campbell pass)
Field goals
- New York Giants — J. Carney
- New York Giants — J. Carney
- New York Giants — J. Carney
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: New York Giants won the period 10–0. New York Giants found the end zone from the WAS 1 (Q1 55:01) — (10:01) 10-E.Manning right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q1 54:54) — 5-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the WAS 7 (Q1 48:03) — (3:03) 5-J.Carney 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles..
The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–6. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the WAS 6 (Q2 41:03) — (11:03) 5-J.Carney 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the WAS 29 (Q2 32:13) — (2:13) 5-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the NYG 12 (Q2 30:20) — (:20) 17-J.Campbell pass short right to 89-S.Moss for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 30:13) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-14-D.Brooks..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New York Giants (Q1 57:56) — (12:56) 10-E.Manning pass deep right to 17-P.Burress pushed ob at WAS 40 for 30 yards (30-L.Landry).
- New York Giants (Q3 21:41) — (6:41) 10-E.Manning pass deep left intended for 89-K.Boss INTERCEPTED by 27-F.Smoot [99-A.Carter] at WAS 36. 27-F.Smoot to WAS 36 for no gain (12-S.Smith).
- Washington Commanders (Q1 47:02) — (2:02) 14-D.Brooks punts 42 yards to NYG 36, Center-67-E.Albright. 25-R.McQuarters to NYG 42 for 6 yards (83-J.Thrash). PENALTY on NYG-95-J.McDougle, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at WAS 22
- New York Giants (Q1 55:55) — (10:55) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 17-P.Burress to WAS 6 for 11 yards (27-F.Smoot).
- New York Giants (Q2 42:43) — (12:43) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 17-P.Burress to WAS 12 for 16 yards (37-R.Doughty).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New York Giants (Q3 21:41) — (6:41) 10-E.Manning pass deep left intended for 89-K.Boss INTERCEPTED by 27-F.Smoot [99-A.Carter] at WAS 36. 27-F.Smoot to WAS 36 for no gain (12-S.Smith).
- Washington Commanders (Q2 30:20) — (:20) 17-J.Campbell pass short right to 89-S.Moss for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 47:02) — (2:02) 14-D.Brooks punts 42 yards to NYG 36, Center-67-E.Albright. 25-R.McQuarters to NYG 42 for 6 yards (83-J.Thrash). PENALTY on NYG-95-J.McDougle, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at WAS 22
- New York Giants (Q2 44:18) — (14:18) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 83-S.Moss to WAS 32 for 23 yards (37-R.Doughty, 27-F.Smoot) [99-A.Carter].
Quarterback report card
E.Manning led all passers in efficiency for New York Giants, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- E.Manning (New York Giants) · 39 dropbacks · 48.7% completion · -6.2% CPOE · +0.06 EPA/play · +2.35 total EPA
- J.Campbell (Washington Commanders) · 30 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -3.8% CPOE · -0.24 EPA/play · -7.10 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Washington Commanders | New York Giants |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.081 | +0.045 |
| Offensive success rate | 37.5% | 50.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.237 | +0.060 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.099 | +0.025 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.045 | +0.081 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.0% | 62.5% |
By the numbers
New York Giants held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.08), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- New York Giants: 10 drives, +3.90 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 10 drives, -5.84 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- New York Giants leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- P. Burress (New York Giants) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- E. Manning (NYG) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- J. Campbell (WAS) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- New York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 55:01 · WAS 1 · Score 0-6
(10:01) 10-E.Manning right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Giants XP (+1) — Q1 54:54 · WAS 2 · Score 0-7
5-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles. - New York Giants FG (+3) — Q1 48:03 · WAS 7 · Score 0-10
(3:03) 5-J.Carney 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles. - New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 41:03 · WAS 6 · Score 0-13
(11:03) 5-J.Carney 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles. - New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 32:13 · WAS 29 · Score 0-16
(2:13) 5-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 30:20 · NYG 12 · Score 6-16
(:20) 17-J.Campbell pass short right to 89-S.Moss for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 30:13 · NYG 2 · Score 7-16
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-14-D.Brooks.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Washington Commanders vs New York Giants?
The New York Giants beat the Washington Commanders 16-7 in Week 1, 2008 on 2008-09-04.
What was the final score of Washington Commanders vs New York Giants?
The final score was Washington Commanders 7, New York Giants 16 (WAS 7-16 NYG) in Week 1, 2008 on 2008-09-04.
What was the score by quarter in Washington Commanders vs New York Giants?
Q1: Washington Commanders 0, New York Giants 10; Q2: Washington Commanders 7, New York Giants 6; Final: Washington Commanders 7, New York Giants 16.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Washington Commanders vs New York Giants?
New York Giants touchdown — E. Manning (Q1 55:01) Washington Commanders touchdown — S. Moss (J. Campbell pass) (Q2 30:20) New York Giants field goal — J. Carney (Q1 48:03, 3 pts) New York Giants field goal — J. Carney (Q2 41:03, 3 pts) New York Giants field goal — J. Carney (Q2 32:13, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Washington Commanders vs New York Giants?
E. Manning (New York Giants), 48.7% completion, -6.2% CPOE, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +2.35 total passing EPA. J. Campbell (Washington Commanders), 50.0% completion, -3.8% CPOE, -0.24 EPA per dropback, -7.10 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Washington Commanders vs New York Giants?
P. Burress (New York Giants) led the game in total EPA with +11.10 on receiving plays. across 10 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-3.76 EPA): (6:41) 10-E.Manning pass deep left intended for 89-K.Boss INTERCEPTED by 27-F.Smoot [99-A.Carter] at WAS 36. 27-F.Smoot to WAS 36 for no gain (12-S.Smith).. The biggest win-probability swing was +7.6%.
Season records after this game
Washington Commanders
Now 0-1 L
New York Giants
Now 1-0 W
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