Deonte Banks burned for two touchdowns as nightmare season gets worse

If only Deonte Banks had played as many games on Sunday. Lost to the Commanders 27-22. At MetLife Stadium, just as he said in his postgame interview that he needed to be “better,” the Giants’ sophomore cornerback could be in the running for Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Instead, Banks was beaten twice by Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin for touchdown passes in the game, and is now a former first-round draft pick.

It was just one game ago in Pittsburgh that Banks was benched due to poor play and effort issues.

He has now given up two more touchdown passes, giving him six touchdown passes in nine games this season and 10 in his 23-game career since being drafted 24th overall last year.

The Commanders took a 7-0 lead over the Giants when Jayden Daniels connected with McLaurin on a quick, low 1-yard scoring pass with Banks unable to make the play.

“I just need to get better,” Banks said.

Rookie corner Drew Phillips pointed out that Banks was not at fault for the play, that he should have been in the play.

Was Banks expecting help?

“It was just a bad play by the defense, boss, a bad play by me,” Banks said.

McLaurin’s second TD was the killer, coming with six seconds left in the first half to give Washington a 21-7 lead.

On this play, McLaurin passed Banks down the left sideline and scored from 18 yards out.

“I just need to get better,” Banks said of the second count. “I tried to use my contact to help, but he got behind me using the contact. So I need to be better there.”

Banks, who was born in Maryland and attended college there, spent time with the Commanders during his short NFL career.

Last season, when the Giants won the season series with the Commanders, he publicly corrected them for not drafting him No. 16 to the Giants..

After the second meeting, he went on social media and said: “They could have come and picked me up at (pick) 16, but they didn’t. Now I’m 2-0 against you assholes. (Beep) Commanders. They think they are slippery. They will see me twice a year for the rest of my career. You should have come and picked me up.”

Well, the Commanders won the season series against the Giants this year and Banks is in a downward spiral in his second season.

Asked about his difficult season, Banks said, “It has to be better. Be better next week.”