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Giants (4-9) vs Redskins (3-10)
The
Redskins were shut out 24-0 last week by St. Louis. It was the second shut out
in a row for the Rams, who demolished the Oakland Raiders 52-0 the week earlier.
For the Redskins, it increased their losing streak to five games.
The Giants
broke their long seven game losing streak with a 36-7 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Once again the Giants were ahead at halftime, same as they were the past three
games, but this time they were able to hold onto that lead for a win.
Giants - Titans
Wrap-Up
Washington
Redskins
A few short years ago no one would
have thought that the quarterback spot would be an issue on this team. Robert
Griffin III, the second overall pick in the 2012 draft, set rookie records for
his passer rating and rushing yards and led the Redskins to an NFC East title.
It was their first division title in nine years. Things were really looking up
for a team that gave away a draft bank that included current and future picks
in order to get him. In fact, six Ram players, who were all part of the St. Louis
draft trade that allowed the Redskins to select Griffin, took part in the coin
toss in last Sunday's game.
If you're trying to keep track of the current quarterbacks
on this team, Griffin was the number two overall pick in 2012, Kirk Cousins was
their fourth round selection in that same year. Colt McCoy was a former starter
for Cleveland in 2011 and he joined the Redskins this offseason. Griffin dislocated
his left ankle early on in the second game and that led to the Giants facing Cousins
in game four. The Giants came away with a lopsided 45-14 win, intercepting Cousins
four times.
Right now it appears that Jay Gruden doesn't have confidence in
RG3, but as one reporter has stated, "(Redskins owner Dan) Snyder and (general
manager Bruce) Allen want to see (Griffin become a dropback passer), and those
are the right people to have in your corner. Gruden is merely the coach." Washington
Redskins Offense
As far as coach Gruden sees it, Colt McCoy appears to be the quarterback of choice
these days over both Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins. Griffin
returned for a few games after his ankle injury , but McCoy has started the last
two and looks to start again against the Giants even though he inured his neck
last week. McCoy has been sacked 12 times in two games. Despite quarterback issues,
overall the Redskins are ranked 10th in the league in passing yards.
DeSean
Jackson, who came to this team from the Eagles camp, is very familiar with the
Giants and how they would like to cover him. Jackson leads the team, and in fact
all the NFL receivers, with his 20 yard per catch average. Needless to say they
could have used him in last week's loss, where he was inactive due to a shin injury.
Jackson is listed as questionable for this game. Heavily targeted Pierre Garcon
leads the team in catches with 58 and he caught 9 for 95 yards last week.
Alfred
Morris is a top running back with 899 yards and 7 touchdowns, but the running
game was non existent last week against the Rams. Morris gained only 6 yards on
8 carries and if you consider that one of his runs went for 12 yards, his other
seven added up to a minus-6 yards. The team as a whole gained just 27 yards on
12 carries which included two scrambles by quarterback McCoy for 11 yards. Some
of this was caused by the improving health of the Rams blitz happy defense and
the Redskins not committing to the run once they fell behind in the game. Washington
Redskins Defense
They
are having their problems, ranking low in some defensive areas like net yards
allowed per pass, passing touchdowns allowed and opponents passes intercepted.
Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan has been a standout player. Kerrigan picked up two sacks
against the Rams last week, giving him a career-best 11.5 for the season. He also
forced one fumble and now has four. Kerrigan's abilities also forces offenses
to alter their protection schemes to account for him, allowing other teammates
to make an impact. Jason Hatcher is also a force against the run and pass and
is second on the team with 5.5 sacks. Against the Giants they will need to be
tough upfront to protect their secondary.
Last time Eli Manning completed
72 percent of his passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns, and ran by them for
a touchdown. They also became aware of Larry
Donnell, who burned them catching three touchdown passes. Defensive Coordinator
Jim Haslett said that his defense won’t make the same mistake again, vowing to
keep an eye on Donnell at all times. Defensive backs will also have to account
for Odell Beckham Jr., who was injured and unavailable to play in that last meeting.
Right now safety Brandon Meriweather is nursing a toe injury and may not play
and defensive end Jason Hatcher (knee), and inside linebacker Keenan Robinson
(knee) have all missed practice.
UPDATE
- Brandon Meriweather is out for this game. Giants
offense
Having Justin Pugh back in the
starting lineup certainly helps this offensive unit be as productive as it can
in all areas. Last week Eli Manning was not sacked once and the running game was
working as it should. The only thing that marred their performance was an uncharacteristic
throw by Manning that resulted in an interception return for a touchdown for the
only points scored by the Titans in the game.
Rookies Odell Beckham Jr. and
Andre Williams came on strong and they alone accounted for 286 yards of offense
and the two offensive touchdowns scored. Beckham, with 11 catches, leads the team
in receptions with 59. Preston Parker caught five of the six passes tossed his
way for 60 yards and Larry Donnell caught four for 28 yards. Williams had his
best game rushing for 131 yards, and Rashad Jennings is expected to play more
than he did last week, while still recovering from a sprained right ankle.
Giants defense
They
are an eager group right now coming off an 8 sack game after having 7 the week
before. This success has happened against some weak competition and once again
they are moving up in class. Rookie linebacker Devon Kennard has had his second
straight two-sack game and played so well overall he was named the NFC Defensive
Player of the Week. Jason Pierre-Paul leads the team with 7 sacks and the way
things stand right now, with 34 sacks on the year, this defense has matched their
2013 season total.
They should have more
opportunities against a pocket passer like Colt McCoy, but watch out.
Robert Griffin III could make an appearance this game for one reason or another,
injury, being way ahead or behind in the game, a surprise, or an owners call.
This defense had better be ready to play against the read option, which totally
enhances what Alfred Morris can do on the ground. If they play too eager for sacks,
Griffin would have an opportunity to burn them. Overall
The
last times these teams met they both had 1-2 records. The Giants won that meeting
and then they both went on to lose seven of the next nine, and each had a game
where they were completely shut out. The Giants hit rock bottom two weeks ago
in a loss to Jacksonville and the Redskins hit theirs last week against the Rams.
Which team is currently in the best position to win this game? The Giants are
playing at home, are a more stable team at this point with no quarterback issues,
while breaking in some talented rookies who are producing.
The Redskins are
breaking in a rookie head coach and new offensive coordinator. They lost their
first matchup with the Giants 45-14, are in a quarterback quandary, and their
running game has suddenly disappeared. That said, sometimes a lot of reasoning
goes out the window in these division games. The Redskins are one for one over
Dallas this year and the Giants have lost to the Cowboys twice. Still, if the
Giants continue on their current path of not beating themselves, they should take
this one. NFC East
The Giants and Redskins play on Sunday at 1pm and
later at 8:30 the Eagles (9-4) host the Cowboys (9-4). The Giants and Eagles are
favored to win in their games.
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Notes.
Giants
have a 3-3 record within the division in each of the last four seasons and are
currently 1-3.
Giants are 35-29 in division
games under Tom Coughlin's coaching. Giants
Pierre-Paul has a team-high 7.0 sacks, the second-highest total of his career.
Redskins have been sacked 46 times this
season, second to only the Jacksonville Jaguars.. Redskins
finished 3-13 last year and at 3-10, have three games left to improve on that
record.
Next Games
Dec 21 - Giants at St. Louis.
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