The New York Giants were leading 14-3 when the Washington Commanders’ Sam Howell raced with the ball toward the end zone. It seemed the Commanders would finally close in on the Giants, but that was not to be! The disappointment led to an ugly altercation on the gridiron.

For a few minutes, it looked like we were witnessing not football but a UFC Rumble match. Emotions may boil over during a football game, and sometimes players lose their chill, which leads to ugly scenes on the gridiron. While the NFL has been strict while dealing with such violations, sometimes the punishment may not be enough.

Curtis Samuel draws the referees’ ire for violence

It all happened during the second quarter. Commanders’ quarterback, Sam Howell, was in possession of the ball and made a beeline for the end zone. Curtis Samuel was close at hand. The Commanders were down 14-9 and wanted to close the gap with the Giants. Samuel, who was running behind Howell, jumped over him as he lay tackled by the Giants. He fell outside the boundaries and roughed up Giants’ safety, Xavier McKinney.

The fight then turned ugly as both players grabbed each other’s throats. A few of Howell’s Washington teammates took issue with McKinney’s hit, and in turn, a few more Giants took issue with Washington’s players getting involved in the fight, and suddenly, there was a fracas just outside the goal box. A yellow flag was thrown, but even so, the two didn’t separate. Other team members hopped in to pry them apart.

When things calmed down, Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott and WR Curtis Samuel were ejected for the scuffle. Neither team could afford to lose such crucial players at this juncture.

It’s a do-or-die-trying moment for the Commanders

Curtis ranks third in his franchise in receptions (37), fourth in receiving yards (338), and targets at 49. The triumvirate of Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin was one of the finest offensive weapons the Commanders had managed to forge. Now, the third wheel in the tricycle has been removed.

The Commanders are on life support for playoff chances. They walked into the game with a 4-6 record. If they lose this game against the Giants, they have much tougher opponents to face in the coming weeks. A defeat at the hands of the Giants would make their postseason aspirations a long shot.

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For the Giants, however, there are no more playoff dreams. They are playing with their backup QB’s backup, Tommy DeVito, who has done nothing to inspire confidence in him so far. But will they at least end the season with a winning record? Only time will tell.

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