Sun Dec 5, 4:15 pm (FOX) - Giants at Washington.
Giants ( 5-7) vs Washington (3-8).
This is one of those games the Giants should win. The Giants put their 4 game losing streak on the line against the Redskins 3 game losing streak. May the
better team win one (for a change). The Giants played against Washington earlier in the season, saw both their quarterbacks, how various matchups and plays worked, and were able to come away
with a 20-14 win. It was the first time in 18 years the Giants had 7 takeaways in one game. The last time was on Dec. 7, 1986,
also against Joe Gibbs and the Redskins, in a 24-7 victory in RFK Stadium, when they intercepted 6 passes and recovered 1 fumble.
Admittedly a lot has changed from week 2 of this season, and not much of it has been good for the Giants stricken with injuries, but the Redskins have suffered as well. Three-time Pro Bowl
linebacker LaVar Arrington has not played since that Giants game because of a knee injury, and their offense can't score points.
Redskins offense.
That's where all the problems lie. They have scored the least points of any team in the NFL and have not scored more than 18 points in any one game. That game was a 21-18 loss to the Cowboys.
Patrick Ramsey will make his third start since taking over for Mark Brunell. He has thrown 3 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The Giants faced Ramsey in game 2 and were responsible for 3 of
those interceptions when he came in for relief of Mark Brunell. Ramsey finished that game completing 9 of 18 passes for 142 yards.
Overall, the Redskins are 30th in the league in total yards, 30th in passing yardage, 24th in rushing yardage and rank 31st in 3rd-down efficiency. The Giants will have to watch out for Clinton
Portis who has rushed for 945 yards and is responsible for the Redskins only two touchdowns on the ground.
Eli Manning - last week.
Last week against the Eagles, Manning got off two first-half passes of 50 and 52 yards to rookie Jamaar Taylor, but that's where most of the 'passing excitement died. In the second half, Manning
was 2-of-11 for 14 yards. The Giants managed only 47 yards of offense. The defense got worn down, and the Giants were outscored 20-0 after hanging tough, and being down only 7-6 at the end
of the first half. One big mistake in that game for Manning, who completed only 6 passes, might have been in not checking off more to Tiki Barber. Barber had only one catch for 9 yards, and
defenses panic when Tiki is loose with the ball in his hands.
Eli Manning - this week.
This is Eli's third start, and the numbers from his first two starts aren't pretty - 23-for-58 for 310 yards, 1 touchdown and 4 interceptions. It's true that Manning's been up against some
tough defenses. The Falcons and Eagles are in the top spots in total sacks, and now he faces the Redskins who have allowed only 176.5 yards per game in total passing, second best in the NFC.
They rank second in the NFL in total defense, allowing just 267.6 yards per game. Along the way, they have picked up 12 interceptions and 27 sacks. Former Giant defensive lineman Cornelius
Griffin is having a great year for the Redskins. Hopefully for the Giants, having center Shaun O'Hara back on the field this week will help things out. Shaun has missed missed four of the
Giants last five games, and they have not done well without him.
Playoff magic.
Even after losing 4 straight games, the Giants still have a shot at making the playoffs, but the playoff magic ends sooner or later if you don't win some of your games. A win here over the
struggling 3-8 Redskins would be great for the Giants who are tied with St. Louis for the second wild-card spot.
Notes.
Giants have won four of the past five meetings with the Redskins.
Giants first win of the season over Washington gave Tom Coughlin his first victory as Giants coach.
Giants Tiki Barber, with 1,145 yards, and 9 touchdowns, has carried the ball 224 times (3rd-most in the NFC) without losing a fumble.
Giants Willie Ponder ranks 2nd in the league with a 26.3-yard kick return average.
Giants are tied for 3rd in the NFL with 14 rushing TDs.
Giants have completed just 7 touchdown passes all year in eleven games.
Redskins punter Tom Tupa leads the NFL with a 44.8-yard gross average.
Redskins Clinton Portis has run for more than 100 yards three times - all 3 Redskins’ victories.
Redskins have managed only 23 points in the defeats to Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs is 59-39 against the NFC East, but 12-14 vs. the Giants.
Next Game
Dec 12 - Giants at Baltimore 1:00 PM.
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