The New York Giants dropped a 24-21 decision to the Washington Commanders on Thursday night, their first loss in the NFC East this season, and a late hard-count sequence involving backup quarterback Jameis Winston has drawn sharp criticism from a former Pro Bowl safety.
With the Giants leading 21-17 and facing fourth-and-1 from their own 11-yard line with under four minutes remaining, Winston lined up and attempted to draw Washington offsides. Instead of a standard cadence, he incorporated lyrics from the Baha Men song “Who Let the Dogs Out.”
The Commanders stayed disciplined, the play clock expired, and New York was assessed a delay-of-game penalty before punting. Washington later drove for the winning touchdown on a pass from Jayden Daniels to Stefon Diggs with 57 seconds left.
Former San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and 11-year NFL veteran, said Friday on ESPN’s “Get Up” that the sequence warranted a roster move.
“I’d cut Jameis Winston this morning. It was so unrealistic. You have 10 other guys out there and guys on defense that’s busting their butt every week, and it’s very hard and difficult to win a game in the National Football League,” Whitner said.
“And then when you go into the ‘Who Let the Dogs Out,’ are you serious? He’s clearly just trying to go viral on social media while they’re trying to win a football game. He get his pink slip this morning.”
Whitner also described the preceding “hut one, hut two, hut three” portion of the cadence as outdated and unrealistic for drawing a defensive jump.
Giants coach John Harbaugh defended the approach afterward, indicating it was planned and intended to create uncertainty at the line.
“It’s not about what you say, exactly, if you say ‘hut hut’ or whatever… If you go back and you listen to what Jameis has said throughout the course of the season, you’ll hear those cadences. So, it sounds a little bit like that, and that ‘Who Let the Dogs Out Thing,’” Harbaugh said.
“So I don’t think it’s so much about that as just a fact that whether you even try it there and the fact that they were disciplined enough not to jump off sides is a credit to them.”
Winston has served primarily as a short-yardage specialist this season while J.J. McCarthy handles starting duties. The 32-year-old veteran entered the game in package situations, including the failed fourth-down attempt.
The loss dropped the Giants to 5-3-1, though they remained in first place in the NFC East. The Commanders improved to 3-5-1 and now hold the head-to-head tiebreaker after the teams played to a 27-27 tie earlier this season.
Daniels finished 23 of 33 for 249 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for Washington. McCarthy completed 23 of 36 passes for 293 yards, one touchdown and one interception for New York.
Cam Skattebo rushed for 78 yards and two scores, while Isaiah Likely caught nine passes for 127 yards and a touchdown for the Giants. Diggs had six receptions for 83 yards and the game-winner for the Commanders.
The sequence has circulated widely online since Thursday night, with reactions ranging from amusement to the pointed critique from Whitner. No indication has emerged that the Giants plan to alter Winston’s role or release him over the play.
Harbaugh has continued to deploy the veteran in specific short-yardage packages throughout the year, citing his size and experience in those situations. The team now has a mini-bye before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars next week while still controlling its division path.
