GIANTS (10-5) VS. REDSKINS (8-6-1)
SUNDAY, 4:25 P.M. ET, FEDEX FIELD, LANDOVER, MD. uTV: FOX, DIRECTV 716
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
About the Giants: The Giants are in the playoffs for the first time in five years and locked into the NFC’s top wild-card spot. That sets up a decision for coach Play to win and regain momentum after last week’s disappointing loss at the Philadelphia Eagles, or mail it in, keeping key players healthy and allowing a slew of injured starters, including CB and LB
to heal. The Giants’ continuing struggles on offense might tip the scales toward keeping the foot on the gas — it has been more than a month since New York last managed to score 20 points in a game.
About the Redskins: Needing to win to stay in the playoff chase, Washington crushed the Chicago Bears. The Redskins must win again to have a shot at the postseason. To do that — and to have playoff success if they make it — their defense, ranked 29th in the league, must provide some backup for an offense that is third in total yards and second in passing. The defense showed signs of that against the woeful Bears, intercepting five passes, including two each by CBs and Bashaud Breeland. First-year RB Brown stepped forward with 82 yards after starter Rob Kelley injured his knee.
Matchup to watch: Giants QB Eli Manning vs. Redskins QB Kirk Cousins. It would have seemed strange to say this at the beginning of the season, but it’s Manning, the two-time Super Bowl MVP, who enters this game with something to prove. While Cousins has been consistent and at times spectacular for Washington, Manning has been erratic and Giants quarterback Eli Manning has committed 20 turnovers this season.
at times awful as the triggerman of an underachieving offense. His three interceptions last week raised his season turnover total to 20.
For much of the season, the 30year-old wideout looked battered and old, struggling through injuries and posting pedestrian numbers. But for the past month-plus, Jackson has proved he remains among the NFL’s best long-ball hitters, surpassing 100
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
yards in four of the last five games and averaging 25.2 yards per reception in that span. For the season, he ranks seventh in the league with 18 catches of 20 or more yards, and his five 40-plus-yard catches is one short of the league lead. Ten of those 20-plus plays and four of the 40-plus came in the last five games.
Now that they’re in the playoffs as a wild-card team, the Giants need to get better at winning on the road. After last week’s loss at Philadelphia, New York is 3-4 in road games and 2-4 in true road games — one of the victories was against the Los Angeles Rams in London.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Much at stake: The Giants’ playoff position is set in stone, no matter what happens Sunday, but for Washington, the potential postseason implications will depend on the outcome of the Detroit Lions- Green Bay Packers game Sunday night. What the Redskins know for sure is they have to win to have a chance to advance.
2. Beckham-Norman, Part 2: The NFC East’s marquee matchup features two of the NFL’s most combustible players in terms of on-the-field performance and personality — assuming, that is, the Giants don’t decide it’s more prudent to keep WR ham Jr. on the bench in a meaningless game.
3. Keep the QB clean: That has been difficult for the Giants offensive line, which has allowed pressure on Manning all season. Washington has the pass rushers to make his life miserable again.
Andy Friedlander