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Giants - Redskins
Game 16 preview
Sunday Dec 31, 1:00 PM - Redskins at Giants

Giants (2-13) vs Redskins (7-8)
Last Sunday the Washington Redskins treated their fans to a final season home game win. Kirk Cousins threw three touchdowns, and they beat the Denver Broncos 27-11.
The Giants traveled to Arizona last week. They failed to put any points up on the board and took yet another loss, falling to the Cardinals 23-0.
Giants - Cardinals Wrap-Up

Washington Redskins
The Redskins need to win this game with the Giants to avoid finishing up with a losing season. Like the Giants, they have been hit with a number of injuries, and have placed 20 players on injured reserve. Dan Snyder does not have a lot of patience when it comes to head coaches. Five have come and gone since he took ownership, and over the last three years Jay Gruden has brought him 4-12, 9-7, and 7-8-1 records. Gruden secured an extended contract in the offseason, and in that one year where the team had nine wins, they went to the playoffs as a wildcard. Still, it might not go down well to end up with a losing season, especially to a decimated Giants team, who have won just two games, and none in the division.

Washington Redskins Offense
Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw three touchdowns to three different receivers last week against the Denver Broncos. This game with the Giants could be his last playing for the Washington Redskins. If the team decides to use the franchise tag on him for a third time, Cousins gets a big raise (44%). Even if they use the transition tag where the team could match any other competing offers, his salary would be boosted to 28.8 million (20%). The Redskins were the second best passing team in the league last year, and despite their record this year, Cousins has the sixth-best passer rating in the NFL (98.5).
Cousins throws most of his passes to Jamison Crowder over any other receiver, and why not? Last time against the Giants he had 7 catches for 141 yards, and one touchdown. Losing running back Chris Thompson for the last part of the season was a big blow. Thompson was actually leading the team in rushing and receiving yardage before his injury. Samaje Perine took over his lead spot in the game with the Giants, and they didn't catch a break. Perine ran the ball 24 times for 100 yards, and he caught 3 passes for 30 yards.

Washington Redskins Defense
Last time out they were all over Eli Manning. He took four sacks and seven quarterback hits. Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan currently leads the team with 11 sacks. Kerrigan missed some practice because of a sore calf muscle. That rarely happens, so they might take care in how they use him in this last game of the season. Linebacker Preston Smith is second to Kerrigan with 8 sacks. They will be without defensive lineman Ziggy Hood who fractured his elbow in last week's game.
Although the Redskins have limited opponents to less than 200 passing yards in four of the last five games, they can give up big pass plays. That's what the Giants will have to hope for if they want to win this game. Of course there's always cornerback Josh Norman to worry about, though he has yet to have an interception this year. Veteran safety DeAngelo Hall has missed a number of games, and may be on the field for the last time if they decide to play him.

Giants Offense
Eli Manning will be in this game without his top two receivers, Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard. Also, Tavarres King, who was out last week (concussion), will miss the game as well. What does that leave for Manning? He has Roger Lewis, who has connected with Manning on 8 of 21 passes in the last two games. Tight ends Rhett Ellison and Jerell Adams were effective last game filling in for Engram when he was injured. Manning will be looking their way, and to running back Wayne Gallman to catch passes.
The Giants have waived starting tackle Bobby Hart, who was earlier listed as questionable with an ankle injury. It's been said that undrafted rookie Chad Wheeler will start in place of left tackle Ereck Flowers, who is listed as questionable with a groin injury. Wheeler had trouble against the Redskins defensive line last time, but has had more experience since then.

Giants Defense
Last year they were ranked 10th in total defense. Right now they are 32nd, allowing 384.9 yards per game. They do their best to bring pressure on quarterbacks, but Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon have been overworked. Damon Harrison and Dalvin Tomlinson clog the middle and make it tough to run, but these guys can't do it all. Sooner or later big plays happen, and it won't be any easier this week against the Redskins. The secondary was the strength of the team, and now due to injuries, they'll be without safety Landon Collins and cornerback Janoris Jenkins for this game.
Even with them playing, last time they gave up two touchdowns and 242 passing yards to Kirk Cousins.
Cornerback Eli Apple was expected to have a bigger impact over his rookie year, and he has, but in a negative fashion. Apple has been suspended and won't be playing. Meanwhile, cornerback Ross Cockrell, acquired in a trade at the start of the season, had an outstanding game last week with two interceptions. The Giants might decide to hang on to him.

Overall
What's to play for in this game when both teams are out of the playoffs? The Redskins have not distinguished themselves in the division. They have lost both games to the Eagles and Cowboys, and have beaten only the Giants giving them a 1-4 record. The Giants are 0-5, so if they win this game, they will at least be tied in that area. That's not much to brag about.
The Giants have added a new general manager this week, Dave Gettleman. It would certainly benefit a player to perform his best if he wants to remain with the team or to justify his salary. It's also an opportunity for some of the newer players to show they should have been given more playing time during the season. Despite any of that, the Redskins are in a much better position to win this one.

NFC East Games
Sunday at 1:00pm Redskins (7-8) at Giants (2-13).
Sunday at 1:00pm Cowboys (8-7) at Eagles (13-2).
The Redskins and Cowboys are the NFC East teams favored to win in these games.
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Notes.

Giants Davis Webb was named as the backup quarterback for this game.

Giants are tied with the Redskins for the sixth-most passes of 20 yards allowed, with 53 on the season.

Giants could have their 100th win against the Redskins, as they lead with an all time 99-68-4 record.

Redskins can finish with a non-losing record for a third straight season for the first time since 1999-2001.


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