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Giants (7-4) vs Redskins (5-6)
The Redskins started
out strong last week with their opening drive against the Vikings. Donovan McNabb
was 8-for-8 for 84 yards and a touchdown to make it 7-0. Brett Favre responded
by leading his team to a touchdown on his opening drive to tie it up. Later on
in the fourth quarter, Washington was still down 17-13 after having a 77 yard
punt return touchdown called back on them and they went three and out. Their defense
couldn't get Minnesota off the field in the final six minutes for McNabb to even
show off any comeback skills.
The Giants saw their chances of being a playoff
team diminishing and turned up the heat in the second half of their game against
Jacksonville. They came back and beat the Jaguars 24-20 and got to share first
place in the NFC East with the Eagles. That didn't last long though as the Eagles
played on Thursday and won their game against the Texans 34-24. The Giants have
to sharpen up for their three remaining division games. Washington
Redskins.
The Redskins will play the Giants for the first
time this season in the Meadowlands on Sunday. Next week they play Tampa Bay in
Washington, then travel to Dallas and Jacksonville The Redskins will play host
to the Giants in both teams final game of the regular season. You're surely aware
by this point that the Redskins once again started the season with a new head
coach. It's Mike Shanahan's turn, and he brought the Redskins his 154-103 career
record, and included even his son Kyle, to be his offensive coordinator. Kyle
had one year experience as offensive coordinator last season
in Houston (9-6).
The Redskins also had the opportunity to bring in a seasoned
quarterback they thought they could trust in, Donovan McNabb. It seemed they would
trust him but then there was this question about McNabb being able to handle a
two minute drill with the game on the line. Anyway, with all this change, how
can you lose? They can't actually, considering the team has already bested their
4-12 record from last season, and right now the Redskins are a 5-6 team that is
currently not in last place in the division. They had finished there the last
two seasons under coach Jim Zorn. Now could they have done any worse with Jim
Fassel? Redskins Offense.
The Redskins brought in a secret ingredient
to edge out the Giants this season. Donovan McNabb quarterbacked four straight
wins over the Giants before being picked up by the Redskins. They may have done
better bringing in Michael Vick though, because aside from Vick showing he can
also lead a team for a win over the Giants, the Redskins need someone who can
run, as well as escape a pass rush. McNabb has been sacked 31 times this season
(2nd highest in the league), and there wasn't much protection for him last week.
The starting right guard was benched, but then again, even McNabb isn't immune
from being benched by Shanahan though his was for much more strangely
explained reasons.
The Redskins running game has taken a hit with Clinton
Portis out for the season and Ryan Torain has been sidelined a few games. Keiland
Williams and James Davis combined for only 16 yards in the loss to Minnesota.
They couldn't run on the Vikings and it shouldn't be any easier against the Giants.
Santana Moss with 62 catches and 3 touchdown receptions, and tight end Chris Cooley
with 54 catches and 2 touchdowns can never be discounted, and once again, don't
forget Donovan McNabb. Despite everything he still can make big plays. McNabb
leads the NFL with 8 completions of 50 yards or longer and has had 11 of at least
40 yards, which puts him second in the league. Receiver Anthony Armstrong had
a 45 yard catch against Minnesota and that was his fifth this year of at least
that long. Redskins Defense.
They switched to a 3-4 defense this year and it hasn't helped their ranking. They've
dropped way down to last in the league, allowing almost 401 yards per game. They're
26th in run defense and up against the Giants whose rushing offense is ranked
sixth. Last week even after running back Adrian Peterson left the game, his backup
was able to pick up right where he left off. Albert Haynesworth wasn't crazy about
the defensive changes they implemented but when he's in the game you have to watch
out.
London Fletcher is listed as the "NFL's top tackler of the decade",
and was in the Pro Bowl last year. He has 128 tackles (95 solo) this year and
has never missed a game in his 13 years of playing (188 games). Linebacker Brian
Orakpo came on strong last year as a rookie with 11 sacks and he has 8 1/2 to
date but also has an ankle problem. The Redskins have all the ingredients, but
they have also had all the injuries they can handle, especially to the secondary. Giants
Offense.
Eli Manning has been playing behind
a makeshift offensive line all year and it's working out better than expected.
Even with five different starting offensive lines this season, he's the least
sacked quarterback in the NFL and there were none in the last four games against
Seattle, Dallas, Philadelphia and Jacksonville. The blocking tight ends, running
backs and receivers have all done their jobs and it also shows good awareness
on the part of Eli Manning. Aside from working in sync and knowing their assignments,
the group had no turnovers for the first time last week. The running game was
back on track with Brandon Jacobs running for 87 yards, and without Steve Smith
or Hakeem Nicks around, Mario Manningham has stepped up with 16 catches for 176
yards and 2 touchdowns in the last 3 games. Giants
Defense.
They were counting on their defense
to carry the team last week, and that wasn't happening. Some impassioned words
were said in the halftime locker room and they came back strong. Things that were
working well for the Jaguars earlier suddenly weren't, as the Giants defense held
them to 3 points for the rest of the game. It surely helped that cornerback Terrell
Thomas snared an interception on the first play of the second half. Justin Tuck
and Osi Umenyiora turned up the heat on quarterback David Garrard with pass deflections
and quarterback hits, and Jason Pierre-Paul
contributed with his two sacks and forced fumbles. Safety Antrel Rolle was in
there on one sack and came up with a fumble recovery. They have to start this
game stronger than they did last week and avoid giving up any big plays to Donovan
McNabb. Redskins
cornerback Carlos Rogers on home fan support.
"You get so bashed
at home for any little mistake you did. You come to the sideline, the bench, it's
cussing, it's this, it’s that and we’re just in the first quarter. It's like,
'Are we at home or are we away?’ ... If you don’t like the team or you don’t want
to support us through the good or the bad, why come out to the games? We still
need that support. We're already down, we’re already losing, then to hear some
of our fans, it’s not helpful. We try to block it out, but it’s still not helpful." Giants
safety Antrel Rolle on home fan support.
"You don't boo your team. This is your home team. We're out there playing.
We're out there pouring our heart out for our team and for our fans. You don't
boo your team. I don't care what the situation is. You don't boo your team. You
know, we're 7-4. We're not 2-10, you know? There's going to be ups and downs during
the season. (Not) under any circumstances should you boo your team. That's just
the reality of it." More
on Antrel Rolle.
As a safety on the team
Rolle can't break any of Tiki Barber's records, but without even being retired
he is fast achieving Tiki Barber status in the eyes of the fans. I think you have
to give the kid a break. To paraphrase a former Giants - His attempts at time
of trying to speak up and be a leader on this team are sometimes comical. Anyway
give Antrel a break because on the field he is the same as Tiki was in that he
goes all out playing for the team and for the fans. Now, will he ever be a successful
sports reporter in retirement like Tiki Barber? Somehow I can see the both of
them getting together to host a real fun NY sports radio show. Best
to worst.
The best
record is held by the 9-2 Jets and 9-2 Patriots in the AFC and the 9-2 Falcons
in the NFC. The Jets have a 3-0 division record and the Patriots in the same division
are 2-1. They face off this Monday night in New England with the Patriots favored
to win the game. The Falcons play at Tampa Bay this Sunday and are favored to
win their game.
The worst record in the league belongs to the 1-10 Panthers.
Teams with only two wins this late in the season are the 2-9 Detroit Lions (also
NFC), Cincinnati Bengals (AFC) and Buffalo Bills (AFC). None of them are favored
to win their games. NFC
East.
The Giants host the Redskins on Sunday afternoon at 1pm. At 4:15pm
the Cowboys (3-8) play at Indianapolis (6-5). The Eagles (7-4) played the Texans
(5-6) in Philadelphia on Thursday and won their game 34-24. The Giants and Colts
are favored to win their games.
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Notes.
Giants Eli Manning, after last week, has had 15 fourth-quarter comebacks in his
career. Giants haven't scored a touchdown
on their first possession in any game this season.
Giants last week against
the Jaguars came up with a field goal on their first possession. Giants
have allowed only 26 completions of 20 or more yards which is tied for fewest
in the NFL. Giants with a loss would
be at 7-5 and have the worst division record 1-3. Redskins
with a win would be at 6-6 and have improved their division record to 3-1. Redskins
Donovan McNabb came into the season with an 86.5 career passer rating but is about
ten points lower this season with the Redskins. Redskins
lead the league with 40 negative rushing plays. Redskins
have had two of the team's 10 worst single-game rushing performances in the past
50 years. Redskins Chris Cooley is in
25th place all-time among tight ends 397 career catches. Redskins
Santana Moss has four straight seasons with at least 60 catches and has 62 now. Redskins
coach Mike Shanahan is 3-3 against Tom Coughlin, 2-2 in the regular season. Redskins
rookie Perry Riley last week made a needless illegal block and a 77-yard punt
returned for a touchdown was negated. It would've put Washington ahead 20-17 with
7:00 remaining.
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