While the Washington Commanders' bye week brought much-needed rest and recharge time and extra studying of the upcoming opponent, Washington is eager, especially after the Week 13 tie, to get back into NFL action.  

"I think they are pretty excited about playing the Giants again," said head coach Ron Rivera. "We've had a lot of good energy. We've been focusing on what we do and what we want to do against these guys."  

Perhaps initially at schedule release or earlier in the fall, the Giants-BYE-Giants lineup so late in the season was not a sequence the team was jumping for joy about. However, with the way the Commanders season has gone since Week 6 and the toll the NFL takes on the body, Rivera now looks at this stint as maybe a blessing in disguise.  

"I think it's helped us in this situation…We sent the players off, 'Go ahead and take four days. We won't see you until the following Tuesday.' That kind of thing. So, they got a chance to get away and relax," Rivera said." In the meantime, coaches did a quick review, a quick study of some of the things that we could do better: third down on both sides of the ball, red zone on both sides of the ball."  

All this week, the Commanders have been busy making sure that the added recovery and evaluation they were able to get in during the bye is put to good use this Sunday night. Everyone in Ashburn knows what this one against the Giants means, but they also know that the key to getting what they want and have worked for will be treating it just like any other game.  

"We've put ourselves in this position. Now we have to take care of our business. We have to focus in on one game at a time," Rivera said. "You can't have what you want unless you get this one so let's focus in on and put our energies towards this. And let's go out and play our best."

Here's a morning roundup of what the local and national media have to say about the Washington Commanders on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. All reports, rumors and conjecture are a reflection of the media conversation and are not endorsed or confirmed by the Washington Commanders.

The reports and deals expressed in this article have not been confirmed by Washington, nor do they reflect any insider information from anyone in the front office.

• The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala writes about the Commanders' secondary becoming a strength.
• The Washington Post's Barry Svrluga gives his perspective on the Commanders' roster.
• NBC Sports Washington's Peter Hailey writes that Curtis Samuel is playing like himself again.
• NBC Sports Washington's Ethan Cadeaux looks at the Commanders' plans for Chase Young.
• The Athletic's Ben Standig looks at how the Commanders can contain Daniel Jones.
• The Richmond-Times Dispatch's Michael Phillips writes about Taylor Heinicke's success in an uptempo offense.
• NBC Sports Washington's Ethan Cadeaux writes about Washington's excitement for a big game on a big stage this Sunday.
• The Washington Post's Sam Fortier writes about the Commanders preparing for a "playoff atmosphere."
• The Washington Post's Scott Allen takes a look at the NFC East.
• The Washington Post's Scott Allen also writes about the Commanders preparing for a pivotal rematch.
• The Athletic's Ben Standig writes opens his notebook ahead of the Commanders' crucial Week 15.

Check Out What's On Commanders.com:

• 3 keys to Washington getting a win in primetime against New York
• Practice report | Wes Schweitzer can be a 'good anchor' at center
• Commanders excited, prepared for primetime rematch with Giants
• Practice report | Chase Young 'trusting the process' in preparing for return
• Commanders vs. Giants preview | A primetime rematch
• Notes & Quotes | Rivera provides injury updates on St-Juste, Young and more
• Week 15 power rankings | Commanders close to cracking top 10
• Players & positions to monitor during Week 15
• Commanders activate Carson Wentz, place Tyler Larsen on IR
• The case for Tress Way to make his second Pro Bowl
• Brian Robinson's best plays from the 2022 season so far
• The case for Daron Payne to make his first Pro Bowl
• Taylor Heinicke's best moments from the 2022 season so far
• Jon Allen wants 'stadium rockin' for Week 15 SNF matchup vs. Giants
• From the booth | Sink or swim will depend on depth
• Charles Leno, Jr. named Washington Commanders’ nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award