The New York Giants (2-6) host the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders (6-2) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey this Sunday afternoon.

Here are five storylines to follow before kickoff.

Deonte Banks back in the lineup

Second-year cornerback Deonte Banks was benched at halftime in Monday's loss to Pittsburgh but is in line to take back his starting role this week against the Commanders.

"We made a decision as a coaching staff. Really just decided, had a conversation about it, made a decision," Giants head coach Brian Daboll said this week.

"Really looking forward to seeing how he does this week practicing. Full confidence he's going to practice well this week, prepare well this week, and then be ready to go come Sunday to play well."

Hubbard will start at left tackle again

Journeyman Chris Hubbard will start at left tackle again this week. He played all 72 offensive snaps last Monday night and had a rough go of it. Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith had 11 pressures, six QB hits, and two sacks against Hubbard last week.

Regardless, head coach Brian Daboll said Hubbard will go again, shooing away talk that Evan Neal should get a look.

"Hubbard's played 58 games or 59 after the Pittsburgh game," Daboll said on Friday. "Has good experience and has some familiarity with what we do. I think he's improving as he learns the system and communicates with the guys. We'll see where we're at, but he's a true pro. He did a lot of good things and improved this week as we go."

A tale of two teams

As bad as things have gone for the Giants this year, the opposite can be said for the Commanders.

Washington, in their first season under head coach Dan Quinn, can open 7-2 for the first time since 1996 with a win. Last week they became the fourth team since 1950 to win six of their first eight games with a starting rookie quarterback (Jayden Daniels).

The Giants, conversely, have lost at least six of their first eight games for the seventh time in the last eight years. They are averaging 14.6 points per game this season -- one whole point less than they averaged last season.

More kicking woes

The Giants are already operating without starting kicker Graham Gano and punter Jamie Gillan due to injuries and now head into this week's game without replacement kicker Greg Joseph.

Joseph turned up on the injury report with an oblique injury and is out for Sunday's game.

Jude McAtamney will be elevated from the practice squad to handle the kicking this week.

It's the second time this year the Giants have had kicking issues heading into a game with Washington. In Week 2, Gano injured himself on the opening kickoff and the Giants played the rest of the game without a kicker. They lost, 21-18.

Last game before the trade deadline

The NFL trading deadline is this coming Tuesday, November 5, at 4:00 p.m. ET. The Giants are not expected to be buyers but they may not be sellers, either.

Three names that pundits have repeatedly mentioned as possible trade pieces are linebacker Azeez Ojulari, running back Devin Singletary, and wide receiver Darius Slayton.

Rumors swirled that general manager Joe Schoen would need to be "blown away" to part with any of them.

Daboll dodged any questions regarding a possible trade, telling reporters to speak to Schoen directly.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants vs. Commanders: 5 biggest storylines for Week 9