Sun Sept
24, 8:00 pm (ESPN) - Washington at Giants
Who
will survive?
Right
now there are 5 unbeaten teams in the NFL. Which
teams will survive this weekend to go 4-0? The Jets
and Tampa Bay, both unbeaten, face each other this
Sunday, so barring ties, one of them will make it.
Minnesota plays Detroit, St. Louis plays Atlanta,
and the Giants face Washington on national TV Sunday
night. At that time, all the other games will be
done, and going into their contest the Giants will
know who they will have a chance to share the 4-0
limelight with.
One thing for sure, the Washington Redskins, the
team with the highest payroll in NFL history, know
that they would gain a bit of needed respect and
credibility by beating the Giants on Sunday night.
They have a tough schedule ahead, four of Washington's
next eight opponents are Tampa Bay, Jacksonville,
Tennessee and St. Louis, teams which were conference
finalists last year. A little momentum could go
a long way, but a loss could send them on a downhill
road, and the chance of becoming known as "the
worst team money can buy". Bruce Smith said,
"We have to win this week. There are no ifs, ands,
buts about that. We realize what is at stake not
from a Super Bowl standpoint, but from the confidence
being built in this locker room."
This
week, focus on Quarterbacks
If
the Redskins didn't have a quarterback problem starting
off the season, they certainly have one now after
Monday night's loss to Dallas. Brad
Johnson has thrown 5 interceptions in the last two
games, and four of them came in the fourth quarters
when there were still chances to win. Brad looked
lost, failing in his comeback attempt during the
closing moments of the Monday night game. And now,
just as former Giants quarterback Kent Graham had
to look over his shoulder last year to see an expensive
bench warmer in the shape of Kerry Collins in the
wings, Brad Johnson looks over and sees an eager
Jeff George who was given a four-year, $18.25 million
deal with a $2 million signing bonus.
The MNF cameras picked up on Jeff George during
Sunday's game, wondering if he was going to jump
in for Brad. He didn't then, but now this expensive
benchwarmer has taken snaps with the first line
offense in preparation for the game. The Giants
are preparing for both, who have similar styles,
and are basically dropback quarterbacks. Johnson
is more of a scrambler who waits for a receiver
to break free, while George will successfully rifle
passes into tight coverage.
Brad Johnson has thrown more passes (120) than any
quarterback in the league, but hasn't been going
deep. His longest pass completion this year was
only 26 yards to fullback Larry Centers, who is
listed as "doubtful" for Sunday's game
because of an elbow injury. Passing has been short
with the running backs having 38 of the team's 78
receptions.
The Redskins are missing a prime target in receiver
Michael Westbrook, who went down with a season-ending
knee injury in their loss in Detroit.
Brad's other choices are Albert Connell, and historically
amazing, but aging receivers Irving Fryar and Andre
Reed.
Things
are more serene for Kerry Collins on the Giants
side of the field. Collins has had a good season
so far with a quarterback rating of 95.6, which
is fifth in the NFL. The average for his first five
seasons is 66.1, with his former best being his
1996 season with the Panthers (79.4). Kerry doesn't
have to look over his shoulder. His backup is Jason
Garrett who will be used only in an emergency.
The
Giants defense.
Last
week, Dallas had success against the Redskins when
their defensive line played up to the run, and put
pressure on Brad Johnson when he passed. The Giants
need to stop Stephen Davis who ran for 309 yards
in the Redskins two victories against the Giants
last season, averaging 5.5 yards per carry in each
game. "He ran through us," Jessie Armstead said.
"He played two big games against us. We can't let
him do that again."
This
year, Davis is up against a Giants defense which
is ranked the best in the NFL at stopping the run.
If the Giants succeed in their mission, and stop
Stephen Davis, the pressure will be on Brad Johnson
to complete passes, and the more pressure on Johnson
this game the better. Pressure also causes teams
to make mistakes, and the Redskins have been hit
with 19 for 201 yards so far this year. The downside
of all this is it might force the appearance of
Jeff George. I'd hate to see him take the field,
have any measure of success, and get the Redskins
going. It would be all too easy at that point for
them to start believing in themselves, put the past
behind them, and start playing at a higher level.
So far this Washington team, overflowing with talent,
has been off balance, and I'd hate for them start
to put it all together in Sunday's game against
the Giants.
The
Giants offense.
Every
team that faces the Giants knows they will have
to stop their "thunder and lightning",
and see what the Giants come up with after that.
If the Redskins actually manage to do what Arizona,
Philadelphia and Chicago haven't, they will be satisfied
with their matchups. The Redskins whose defense
has played well, but hasn't yet completely merged
new and old players to one outstanding unit, would
love to force the Giants into playing more long
ball. They have Deion Sanders and Champ Bailey at
cornerback, and Darrell Green at nickel back. They
believe these skilled players can play tight man-to-man
coverage with any team in the league.
The
Giants might also like this matchup if forced into
it. They have their own crew of talented wide receivers
who have yet to show off their deep "good stuff"
this year. Because the running game has been so
dominating, there hasn't been need for the Giants
to throw the long ball. Amani Toomer has 16 catches
and Ike Hilliard 15, with Toomer averaging only
8.7 yards per catch and Hilliard 13.3. Hilliard
is about where he was last year, but Toomer averaged
15 yards a catch.
"We haven't been going deep a lot," Toomer said.
"We've been playing a lot of ball control and we've
been ahead. Also, the corners have been playing
off, so we're taking the short stuff, six yards
here, seven there." Being ahead and winning games
is the best, but these players love going deep when
the opportunity is there.
Still, this Redskins trio is a tough bunch to go
against. Young Champ Bailey, is as versatile as
Deion Sanders, and is also used as a receiver. It's
hard to believe that Darrell Green is 40 years old
and still playing at the level he is, and though
it is possible that Deion Sanders has lost a step,
the Redskins have the fifth-best pass defense in
the league, allowing only 161.7 yards per game.
From a fan's standpoint, it would be exciting to
see how the skilled but aging Redskins group matches
up against the young receivers of the Giants. Ron
Dixon had a 34-yard TD reception on the opening
drive against the Bears last week and was then pretty
much kept under wraps after that. Are the Giants
saving him for this game?
I for one believe the Redskins will stack big against
the run at the start of the game, and would love
to see the Giants come out throwing on the first
drive. Let's establish the pass first this time
out, hopefully with big results, and get the Redskins
down on themselves.
Injuries
Giants - Out: CB Ralph Brown (kidney), Questionable:
CB Andre Weathers (knee). Probable: TE Pete Mitchell
(intestinal infection).
Washington:
Out: C Cory Raymer (knee). Doubtful: RB Larry Centers
(elbow). Questionable: K Brett Conway (quadricep).
Probable: G Keith Sims (Achilles).
Notes
Giants
lead the NFL in average time of possession (36 minutes,
9 seconds).
Giants
are ranked 4th in total offense, 1st in rushing,
13th in passing
Giants
are ranked 8th in total defense, 1st against the
rush, 23rd against the pass.
Giants
third in line RB Joe Montgomery, still hasn't dressed
for a game.
Redskins
Deion Sanders is averaging only 2.7 yards per punt
return.
Redskins receivers Andre Reed ranks 2nd in NFL history
with 942 receptions, and Irving Fryar is 5th with
820.
Next
Game
Oct 1, Giants at Tennessee 1PM FOX
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those very organized fans.
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Last
Week's review, Giants
14 - Chicago 7
NFC
East - after Week 3
|
Team |
W |
L |
T |
PCT |
PF |
PA |
Home |
Road |
AFC |
NFC |
DIV |
Streak |
NY Giants |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1.000 |
68 |
41 |
1 - 0 |
2 - 0 |
0 - 0 |
3 - 0 |
2 - 0 |
W3 |
Arizona |
1 |
1 |
0 |
.500 |
48 |
52 |
1 - 0 |
0 - 1 |
0 - 0 |
1 - 1 |
1 - 1 |
W1 |
Philadelphia |
1 |
2 |
0 |
.333 |
62 |
53 |
0 - 1 |
1 - 1 |
0 - 0 |
1 - 2 |
1 - 1 |
L2 |
Dallas |
1 |
2 |
0 |
.333 |
72 |
94 |
0 - 1 |
1 - 1 |
0 - 0 |
1 - 2 |
1 - 2 |
W1 |
Washington |
1 |
2 |
0 |
.333 |
51 |
59 |
1 - 1 |
0 - 1 |
0 - 0 |
1 - 2 |
0 - 1 |
L2 |
|