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Week 5 storylines ahead of trip to Washington

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Following back-to-back victories at MetLife Stadium, the Giants will attempt to move to 4-1 when they head down I-95 for a Week 5 matchup against the Commanders.

For the second consecutive week, Sunday came down to one final play at the end of the fourth quarter. And for the second straight week, the defense came through with a huge play. Deonte Banks' 98-yard interception return for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal clinched the victory for the Giants and moved their record at home this season to 3-0.

The Commanders are coming off a trip across the pond as they traveled to London to face off against the Colts in Week 4. Marcus Mariota, who was already filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels, hurt his knee in the first quarter, leading to the NFL debut of seventh-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis. The Commanders went on to lose, 30-13, which dropped their record to 1-3 on the season.

Here are storylines to follow ahead of the Week 5 matchup.

'We have an opportunity'

For only the second time since the 2011 season, the Giants have opened up the season with a 3-1 record. All three of the wins have come at MetLife Stadium, which makes coach John Harbaugh just the sixth Giants head coach to begin his tenure with the organization 3-0 at home. On top of that, it is the Giants' eighth 3-0 start at home since 1970 and the first since 2008. In all seven of the previous occasions in which they won their first three home games, the Giants have made the postseason.

The Week 5 matchup will be the second divisional game of the season for the Giants, who defeated the Cowboys in the season opener. Meanwhile, the Commanders will look to pick up their first NFC East victory after dropping their first two games of the season against the Eagles and Cowboys, respectively.

"We have a game this week, a very pivotal game, a very big game in terms of the opportunity that it presents our football team now, where we're at," coach John Harbaugh told the media Monday. "We have an opportunity to make headway on the season, and we've got to do it one play at a time in one game that we have to play this week. So, we're excited about it.

"I know about the rivalry. I know how big this rivalry is, how big this game is. Been around the Commanders enough, close enough to them the last many years to kind of understand where they've been and what they do and how they think a little bit. So, just looking forward to it."

Arvell's breakout continues

Arvell Reese got his NFL career off to a bit of a slow start. Over the first two games, the rookie linebacker totaled just 12 tackles, he didn't have too big of an impact in the run game, and he allowed a touchdown in coverage each week. The Giants split those two contests, but the defense allowed a total of 48 points. Then going into Week 3, the 21-year-old seemed to flip a switch.

Reese registered 13 tackles, including 10 solo, with one tackle for loss and a pass breakup in the Week 3 win over the Titans, a game that saw the defense limit Tennessee to just seven points. The No. 5 overall pick elevated his game even further this past week against the Cardinals, as he racked up nine solo tackles, including one tackle for loss, three passes defensed and his first career interception. He also pressured Jacoby Brissett and hit the quarterback's arm on the play that resulted in Greg Newsome II's interception. Pro Football Focus credited Reese with a passer rating against of just 52.1, which led to the analytics site naming him both their Rookie and Defensive Player of the Week.

"He was all over the field again," Harbaugh said after the game. "He played great... He has really taken off."

Heading into Week 5, Reese leads the NFL with 27 solo tackles. He also became the first Giants rookie since tackles were first officially tracked in 1994 to record nine tackles, three passes defensed and an interception in a game, and is only the third rookie in the NFL to do so since 2010 (and the first linebacker).

"It's just being in the moment," Reese said about his breakout performance in Week 4. "Being poised and knowing, having that win the game on defense mentality. Just trying to show up, play for the person beside me. Not playing selfishly, trying to show up for the person beside me."

Banks returns with a splash

Deonte Banks was able to get back on the field this past Sunday after missing two games due to a calf injury. Not only did the fourth-year corner return, but he returned with a splash. Banks made key plays on the final two snaps of the game, first with a pass breakup on a throw targeting Trey McBride, and then with his game-sealing interception which he returned 98 yards for a touchdown. His performance, which included a career-high four pass breakups, led to him being named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Banks has endured his fair share of trials and tribulations over the last few years. But when Harbaugh, Dennard Wilson and the rest of the new coaching staff took over earlier this year, every player on the roster was given a clean slate. He's only been on the field for two games this season, but thus far, Banks has certainly taken advantage of the opportunity.

"We didn't really have any kind of an in-depth conversation about the past," Harbaugh said Monday about offseason talks with Banks. "You know, that really wasn't part of it. Just said, 'Hey, man, we know what you're capable of, let's go play some good football.' And maybe that was just all it took, maybe that's all that was really needed. I do think he felt the confidence. I think he felt happy about the opportunity, maybe... We just made it about the football, probably, more than anything."

Banks and the rest of the pass defense could be faced with another tough test this week. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels practiced fully on Wednesday, putting him on track to play Sunday after missing the last two games due to an elbow injury. In six quarters this season, Daniels has completed 56.9 percent of his passes for 260 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 90.3 passer rating, adding an additional 100 yards on 12 carries (8.3 avg.).

The Commanders' passing game has primarily centered around three players. Terry McLaurin has caught 10 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown this season, but missed last week's game in London due to a hamstring injury suffered in practice. The team's leading receiver through the first month has been Stefon Diggs, who leads the team with 18 receptions for 170 yards and three touchdowns. However, both McLaurin and Diggs did not practice on Wednesday, which might leave Antonio Williams as Daniels' top option this week. The rookie wideout caught four passes for 64 yards and a touchdown from Daniels in the season opener, and has totaled 12 receptions for 124 yards on the season.

Injury updates

The Giants had a few players leave Sunday's game due to injury, starting with Braxton Berrios. The wide receiver/kick returner suffered a foot injury that forced him to miss the remainder of the game.

Safety Jason Pinnock was ruled out of the game with a concussion and is currently in the protocol. He did not participate in Wednesday's practice. Defensive lineman Chauncey Golston suffered a neck injury, which Harbaugh told the media on Wednesday "could be" long-term, although he noted they are still gathering information.

Similar to last week, Andrew Thomas (groin) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. Thomas was sidelined on Wednesday and Thursday of last week before getting back on the field Friday and playing on Sunday.

Malik Nabers (knee) was also a non-participant in the first practice of the week. Nabers is coming off his best game of the season in which he caught six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, his first of the year. The Commanders enter this matchup ranking 30th in the league in passing touchdowns allowed (11) and 25th in passing yards (970).

Three players were listed as limited participants on Wednesday – running back Cam Skattebo (shoulder), tight end Chris Manhertz (shoulder) and tight end Isaiah Likely (knee/groin). Meanwhile, cornerback Deonte Banks (calf) and center Bryan Hudson (ankle) both practiced in full.

View photos from the all-time series between the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders.

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