THE STORY: The New York Giants have spent the past 68 minutes of game time getting embarrassed by the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. A win in either one of those games would have locked up a playoff spot. Now New York needs a win and some help, and the Washington Redskins, with seemingly every player playing for his job at this point, probably won’t be rolling over Sunday. The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will be playing at the same time, and a win by the Packers knocks the Giants out - win or lose.
TV: 4:15 p.m. EST, FOX
OPENING LINE: Giants -4, O/U 44
WEATHER: Showers, 47 degrees.
ABOUT THE REDSKINS (6-9): Washington’s shot at a playoff berth went away a long time ago and its season has become even more of a circus than that of the Giants, with Donovan McNabb very publicly losing his job and Albert Haynesworth getting suspended for the last four games due to his refusal to follow team rules. The Redskins managed to pick up a victory last week 20-17 in overtime against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Graham Gano kicked the deciding field goal at the 12:13 mark in overtime.
ABOUT THE GIANTS (9-6): New York has been outscored 73-24 over the last five quarters, squandering a three-touchdown, fourth-quarter lead against the Eagles in Week 15 and then getting run out of the stadium last Sunday in a 45-17 loss to the Packers. The Giants turned the ball over six times against Green Bay and allowed the Packers to roll up 515 yards of total offense. New York failed to find the end zone in a brutal second half and controlled the ball for less than 23 minutes in the contest due to a running attack that never got a chance to get moving.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: The Giants’ running back duo of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw has combined for just 190 yards in the last two games and each lost a fumble against the Packers. New York’s 41 turnovers are the worst mark in the league. Redskins running back Ryan Torain did not put up the big numbers on the ground last week, but he managed to blast through the line for a key fourth-quarter touchdown.
QUARTERBACKS: Eli Manning was at the heart of the Giants’ problems last week, throwing four interceptions. He seemed to tighten up in the final minutes against the Eagles two weeks ago, failing to get a key first down that would have allowed New York to run out the clock. Rex Grossman has been solid in his two starts, going 1-1 while totaling five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has yet to put together a game that might make the coaching staff think twice before drafting a quarterback in the first round in April, however.
RECENT HISTORY: It was only four weeks ago that the Giants were on top of the world, dominating Washington 31-7 as Bradshaw and Jacobs combined for 210 yards and four touchdowns. New York has beaten the Redskins six straight times.
KEY INJURIES: New York: WR Hakeem Nicks (toe); C Shaun O’Hara (Achilles); S Antrel Rolle (ankle); DT Chris Canty (neck); RB Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle); CB Corey Webster (ribs); DE Justin Tuck (chest). Washington: CB Carlos Rogers (calf strain); LB Brian Orakpo (groin); FS Kareem Moore (knee).
LAST WORD: If the Giants can keep from watching the scoreboard, they might have a chance, but this has looked like a beaten team for the past 4½ quarters. The Redskins are all fighting for places on the roster next season with Mike Shanahan needing to rebuild the club.