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Giants - Redskins
Game 4 preview

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

For those very organized fans.
If you use a Palm Pilot and want to keep the Giants schedule, and actually, the whole NFL schedule on it, there is a free download available here at PFL.

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

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