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Giants (5-5) vs Redskins (4-6)
Last
Sunday the Redskins took on the unbeaten Panthers. Both teams had scored two touchdowns
by the end of the first quarter, but then the Panthers scored 30 consecutive points
and finished with a 44-16 win.
The Giants
were on their bye week, coming off a close 27-26 loss to New England. They are
still alone in first place since the other division teams failed to move up after
losing games over that time.
Giants
- Patriots Wrap-Up
Washington
Redskins
After week four the Redskins were
2-2 coming off a win over the Eagles before losing the next two games with Atlanta
and the Jets. Kirk Cousins threw 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in those games
and things were looking bleak. In fact after the first six games, Cousins had
not thrown more than a single touchdown in any one game, resulting in 6 touchdowns
and 8 interceptions. Cousins redeemed himself the following week against Tampa
Bay. With Washington trailing by 24 points in the second quarter, Cousins dug
deep for three touchdown passes and produced a 31-30 win. It was the Redskins
best comeback win in their franchise history.
'You like that! ' was shouted
by Cousins at reporters as he walked outside the locker room area. The team enjoyed
a bye week before traveling to unbeaten New England. Cousins played well, but
his receivers weren't much help, dropping 7 passes and the team took a 27-10 loss.
Back at home the following week, Cousins had a four touchdown day as the Redskins
blew away the Saints 47-14.
Good, but then there was last week where they
faced yet another unbeaten team on the road and lost to Carolina 44-16. The detractors
were 'Not liking that!' as Cousins threw an interception and fumbled the ball
away twice. Is this team still in search of a quarterback or is Cousins just a
beleaguered one trying to carry way too much on his shoulders? Washington
Redskins Offense
The game before last with New Orleans, Kirk Cousins was named the NFC offensive
player of the week for the second time this season. Then last week in Carolina
things fell apart, not just for him, but for the offense as a whole. Cousins was
sacked a career-high five times and there were more drops from his receivers.
His runners averaged less than a yard per carry on 11 attempts against a defense
that ranks just about average in yards allowed per rush. Thanks to Cousins, one
four yard jaunt pushed the team average to 1.17 yards per carry on 12 attempts.
Offensive line blocking hasn't been the best for their running backs and Alfred
Morris aggravated a rib injury and was limited to only two attempts. Morris should
be back for this game and rookie Matt Jones has done well as the second back,
but his fumbles haven't encouraged a bigger role. That might change against a
Giants defense that is improving, but still struggling in that area.
Cousins
is 0-4 with 5 touchdowns and 8 interceptions on the road and like his runners,
he plays his best at home where he's 4-1, with 10 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions,
This offense can keep the chains moving and they are one of the top eight on third
down conversions. DeSean Jackson has played in three games after recovering from
a hamstring injury he suffered in the season opener. Jackson did his best so far
against Carolina, with five catches for 87 yards, and he had a 56-yard touchdown.
Pierre Garcon is in his 4th year with the Redskins and having Jackson at full
strength will give him even more opportunities. Washington
Redskins Defense
They
have been holding their own, but it didn't look good when they gave up five passing
touchdowns to the Panthers last week. The Redskins have been dealing with injury
problems all season in the secondary and right now, if you look at the list, three
cornerbacks and three safetys have concerns this week. The only player to start
every game in the secondary is safety Dashon Goldson and he's not one hundred
percent. Cornerback Chris Culliver has been
playing with injuries and this week he injured his knee in practice, tearing the
ACL and MCL and was placed on injured reserve.
Safety Trenton Robinson is
also out with a hamstring injury. Cornerbacks Deshazor Everett (hamstring) and
Bashaud Breeland (hamstring / illness) are questionable. Cornerback CB DeAngelo
Hall (toe), safetys Goldson (knee/hamstring/wrist) and Jeron Johnson (illness)
are probable. The run defense gives up around
5 yards a carry and the Redskins rank 30th in the NFL against the run. They are
allowing 136 yards per game and their last six opponents have each run for 100
or more yards. If the Giants can get their running game on track, the Redskins
will have more to worry about than passes thrown downfield. Giants
offense
Eli Manning was up against Tom
Brady last game and despite the loss, Manning held his own, including an 'almost
touchdown' to Odell Beckham Jr. in the endzone that could have won the game. Despite
the long bye week, the offensive line will still be without left guard Justin
Pugh, and center Weston Richburg could be out, replaced by Dallas Reynolds. John
Jerry started for Pugh last week against New England.
While Beckham continues
to be the major threat for opposing defenses, Rueben Randle had his best game
of the season in that first meeting with the Redskins. Randle caught all seven
passes for 116 yards and one touchdown. Dwayne Harris continues to make an impact
as the third wide receiver and the new addition of former receiver Hakeem Nicks
just adds to the Redskins homework problems. Nicks hasn't played this season,
doesn't know the system and hasn't had much practice, so his impact should be
minimal for this game if they activate him.
The
Giants have run for over 100 yards in two of their last four games and they could
have opportunity here. It would be better if the offensive line wasn't shuffling
things. Rashad Jennings leads the team, but the Giants mix things up using all
the backs. It's noteworthy that the Giants have scored 29 touchdowns and only
three have been scored on the ground. That puts more pressure on Manning in redzone
situations and there have been times where it would have been better to have called
a run play down near the goal line. Orleans Darkwa has been used more, is averaging
of 4.7 yards per carry and he could be the answer. Giants
defense
The Giants have seen potential
wins turn to losses late in games when opposing teams are trying to make a comeback
with much needed passing plays. Their lack of pressure on quarterbacks has hurt
them this season and Jason Pierre-Paul's recent presence on the field has made
a big difference. Last game they sacked Tom Brady three times. That's a major
improvement considering the team has only a total of 12 on the full year. Redskins
left tackle Trent Williams is nursing a knee problem. Williams did not practice
this week and he could have his hands full against Pierre-Paul.
Also, possibly
overlooked for increased defensive pressure, is that Jasper Brinkley has been
in the past few games. Brinkley is the experienced middle linebacker the Giants
were lucky to sign off the Cowboys practice squad at the start of the season.
Brinkley got a shot when Jon Beason was placed on season-ending injured reserve
and Uani Unga was dealing with a neck injury. Brinkley has had 19 tackles, two
forced fumbles and a sack in the last two games.
Better
coverage in the secondary should be coming up with Prince Amukamara set to return
after missing the last five games. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie won't have to do
all the heavy lifting against Pierre Garcon and deep threat DeSean Jackson. Rookie
Landon Collins is still learning on the fly and he almost came up with a game
saving interception last week. The Redskins have committed 19 turnovers this season.
Kirk Cousins has shown that he can deliver, but can also make mistakes and the
Giants defense has to stay alert. Overall
The
Giants won both division games against the Redskins in 2014. The last time these
two teams played the Giants were 0-2 and the Redskins were 1-1. The Giants victory
started them on a three game win streak. The Redskins went on to win their next
three home games, but continued to lose on the road four more times. To be fair,
all the road teams the Redskins have faced this season are sitting at or above
.500 and two are unbeaten, with 11-0 records.
This game against the Giants
is in Washington and that should give them the edge. If they win they'll be sharing
the top spot in the division, each team with 5-6 records. The Giants put up a
strong showing against New England and are coming off a bye week while the Redskins
are coming off a sound beating. That and considering the records of the teams
the Redskins have lost to or beaten at home, all losing teams except for Tampa
Bay (5-5), pushes things in favor of the Giants. NFC
East Games
Completed - Thursday at 12:30pm
Eagles (4-7) at Lions (4-7) | Lions 45-Eagles 14
Completed - Thursday
at 4:30pm Panthers (11-0) at Cowboys (3-8) | Panthers 33-Cowboys14
Sunday
at 1:00pm Giants (5-5) at Redskins (4-6).
The Eagles were favored to win.
The Giants are favored to win.
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Notes.
Giants
are 5-0 against the Redskins in the last five games played.
Giants
have outscored Washington 145-71 in those last five games.
Giants have seen four of their five losses coming by four points or less. Giants
former defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is the defensive backs coach for Washington. Redskins
are 4-1 at home and have won the last four played at FedEx Field. Redskins
Kirk Cousins had a perfect 158.3 passer rating in his last home game against the
Saints. Redskins at home this season
have outscored their opponents 135-91. Redskins
have lost the last 9 games played on the road. Redskins
have lost 13 of their last 16 NFC East games. Redskins
coach Jay Gruden is 0-3 vs. New York's Tom Coughlin. Redskins
final three road games are againt teams with losing records.
Next Games
Dec 6- Jets at Giants.
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