5 things to watch as Giants visit Commanders in Week 1 of 2025 NFL season

TheGiants head to Washington to face the Commanders in their first game of the 2025 season on Sunday afternoon. The Commanders won 12 games last year, including both meeting with the Giants, and ultimately reached the NFC title game, so the Giants will enter Sunday's action as an underdog.

Here are some of the biggest stories to watch as the Giants look being their season on a positive note:

Can the Giants avoid another slow start?

Head coach Brian Daboll changed up the routine this offseason in terms of how much his key contributors played during preseason, as he hopes to avoid a terrible start like the team made in the past two seasons. Of course, the efforts made to strengthen the roster should also help them in this regard.

The Giants were outscored 68-6 in their last two season openers and must avoid a similar start to the season in 2025 if the team is going to retain confidence in the coaching staff and their gameplans.

Will New York's pass rush package live up to the hype?

Abdul Carterwill be keen to make a big splash in his first NFL game, but he's not the only pass rusher looking to make an impact. Kayvon Thibodeaux has set a lofty goal for himself, as he wants to break the all-time single-season sacks record this season. We can't forget Brian Burns, either, as the veteran has never had fewer than 7.5 sacks in any season at the NFL level.

Based on preseason, the Giants look set to have some packages where all three are in the game together, perhaps with Dexter Lawrence, who didn't play in preseason. Lawrence, who had nine sacks in the first seven games last season, will be seeking to capitalize on the chaos Burns, Thibodeaux and Carter will bring.

How much does Russell Wilson have left in the tank?

Russell Wilson resurrected his career nicely in 2024, as he led the Steelers to the postseason after a disappointing two years in Denver. Is the 36-year-old still capable of playing at a high level and elevating a Giants offense that has underachieved in the past two seasons?

Malik Nabers' availability could be a key factor in Wilson's success. The second-year wideout missed most of preseason, so the pair haven't yet been able to develop much chemistry. However, Nabers showed last season that he can be statistically productive at this level.

Will the Giants' offensive line hold up against the Commanders' front?

Despite bolstering their offensive line depth in the offseason, New York looks set to end up with the same projected starting lineup. The success of this group typically hinges on whether or not Andrew Thomas is healthy, but he's been facing a race against time to get ready in time for Sunday.

The Commanders don't necessarily have much big-name, high-priced talent in their front seven, but linebacker Frankie Luvu was named as a Second Team All-Pro after registering eight sacks last year, and defensive tackle Daron Payne, a Pro Bowler in 2022, is their highest paid player.

How will New York match up with Terry McLaurin?

With his contract dispute behind him, Terry McLaurin will be looking to prove himself worthy of the big-money deal he signed last month as he aims for his sixth thousand-yard season in a row.

In two games against the Commanders last year, McLaurin was held to 41 yards on eight catches, and New York almost won both games, losing by three and five points. Can they slow him down again on Sunday?

The Giants' new No. 1 cornerback is Paulson Adebo, but he's played exclusively on the left during his career so far. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen had Deonte Banks travelling to match up with top receiving threats at times last season, and this is something Adebo has said he's capable of. However, if they don't do this, Cor'Dale Flott might be forced to cover McLaurin at times with Banks nursing an injury.