Washington (2-0) - Offense.
The Redskins finished last year at 5-11. It was the worst season in head coach Joe Gibbs career. This season they started with a home game win against Miami in overtime. Miami is in rebuilding stages with a new head coach and a new quarterback. Washington quarterback Jason Campbell had no touchdowns and 2 interceptions in that game.
In the next game, a win over Philadelphia, Campbell had 1 touchdown and 1 interception. One of their big offensive weapons is TE Chris Cooley who lines up in multiple positions to force the defense to cover him with a linebacker. Cooley runs routes like most third wide receivers. Covering tight ends is one of the Giants favorite weaknesses right now, if you will.

Giants (0-2) - Defense.
It's as bad as it can get. After two games, the Giants have given up more points than any other team in the league, and they're last in pass defense, giving up 310.5 yards per game. Opposing tight ends, have caught 14 receptions for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns. They don't get pressure up front, only 2 sacks so far, and they have to watch opposing quarterback Jason Campbell who can take off. He has 68 rushing yards in his two games.
Running back Clinton Portis has been effective with 167 yards and 2 touchdowns. Assisted by Ladell Betts, the Washington rushing offense is ranked fourth in the NFL (160.5 yards per game), but their passing offense is rated 29th overall (208). The Giants claim that they are getting used to new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's way of playing defense and that it will all come together.

Giants (0-2) - Offense.
Eli Manning overall has been playing well. Last week, even with his an injured shoulder, he completed 10 of 16 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown in the first half, and the Giants held the lead. However, Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer didn't have any second-half receptions in the 35-13 loss against the Packers. With Brandon Jacobs out, running back Derrick Ward has been very good carrying the load. He averaged 6 yards per attempt last week, but he carried the ball only only 15 times. The Giants could have scored more, but foolish penalties cost them valuable chances inside the red zone. Instead of touchdowns they had to settle for field goals and another losing performance.

Washington (2-0) - Defense.
Talk about drive killers, the Redskins defense is ranked first with only 8 third-down conversions allowed. On the 29 third-down situations they've faced, 20 times their opponent has been at third and five or longer. They finished last in the league with 19 sacks in 2006, including only 4 sacks on third down, but they have already have 3 third-down sacks this season.
Defensive coordinator Greg Williams is getting the most out of his young players including middle linebacker London Fletcher, who played for him when Williams was the head coach in Buffalo. The Giants will have to try and avoid more injuries playing against Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry who deliver crushing hits.

Notes.
Giants have lost 9 of the last 11 games, including last year's wild card loss to the Eagles.
One of those wins was against Washington.

Giants lose and they fall to 0-3 and 0-2 in the division.
Giants have started 0-2 in 17 previous seasons. Five times they finished with a winning record.

Giants won both games against Washington last season.
The all-time series is tied 37-37-1.

Website by Mike