NFL Match Preview: New York Giants vs Washington Redskins
In a perfect world, the 9-6 New York Giants would make it to the playoffs over the shoulders of the 7-8 Saint Luis Rams or worse, the 6-9 Seattle Seahawks. Okay that wouldn’t be a perfect world and it would make NFL divisions meaningless but I cannot help
but think that it would be unfair if the Giants were to miss out on the playoffs again this season. Even if the Giants beat the Washington Redskins and attain a 10-6 record in the regular season, they would still be knocked out if the Chicago Bears don’t beat
the Green Bay Packers.
At exactly the same time as the Giants would play against the Washington Redskins at the FedEx Field, over at Lambeau Field the fate of the franchise would be in the hands of the Chicago Bears. Both games are scheduled to start 4:15 Eastern Time. The Giants
have said that their focus would be on the Redskins and not on the Packers game. “We've got to go in expecting everything to work out for the best, feeling that Chicago is going to win for us,” said Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning.
The Giants were in control of their destiny last week when they faced the Green Bay Packers who are now threatening to take the Giants’ place in the playoffs. The Packers wiped the floor with the Giants and handed them a 45-17 defeat.
“We can't fault anyone but ourselves,” Giants’ safety Antrel Rolle said. “We had it in the grasp of our hands, and we didn't take advantage of the opportunities. Now, we have to leave it in the hands of something else. It's something in this league that
you never, ever want to do.” Teammate Brandon Jacobs thought that it was ‘terrible’ that the Giants could no longer control their fate and that even with a 10-6 record they could miss the playoffs.
To get that 10-6 record, they must first beat Washington though. Having been eliminated from the playoffs, Redskins' coach Mike Shanahan has benched starting quarterback Donovan McNabb and is instead letting his backup Rex Grossman get some time on the field.
Even when McNabb was playing, the Giants were able to defeat the Redskins comfortably.
New York boast a formidable defence and they are always on the lookout for turnovers. They are quite capable of stopping the run. Not that they would need to anyway. Washington’s rushing game is one of the weakest in the league. New York’s pass rush is one
of the best.
New York’s premier defenders, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, have been listed as probables for this Sunday’s game. Tuck has accumulated 11.5 and Umenyiora 9.5 sacks. The two defenders combined are responsible for 14 forced fumbles. At the FedEx Field, Grossman
is going to be their pray.
New York’s own offensive line is in shambles too after numerous injuries took its toll on the team during the regular season. Centre Shaun O’Hara is out with a foot injury. Defensive tackle Chris Canty is questionable. Left tackle David Diehl would have
to be moved left guard. Shane Andrews could take the left tackle position. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw has been having ankle problems but he would probably start this Sunday. In their last meeting with the Redskins, Bradshaw rushed 97 yards along with Brandon
Jacobs' 103 yards.
On the line for the Giants are more than just the playoffs. If they don’t make it this year either, heads would roll, possibly starting with head coach Tom Coughlin. This would be the second year in a row that the Giants would miss the playoffs. Last season,
the Giants finished 8-8 after a 5-0 start and owner John Mara was not at all happy with the outcome. Coughlin is set to receive a contract extension after the season, but that could depend on the outcome of Sunday’s game.
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