Giants at Redskins
THE STORY: The New York Giants had a nightmarish offseason. The Washington Redskins, meanwhile, waited until the week of their season opener to decide on a starting quarterback. But both team's concerns will be put on the back burner prior to kickoff in the nation’s capital on Sunday. On the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, the teams representing the cities most affected will remember the victims and honor their families in a pregame ceremony. General Colin Powell will serve as the Redskins’ honorary captain. Washington will try to avoid losing seven straight to their longtime NFC East rivals for the first time since an eight-game skid from 1960-64.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Giants -3. O/U 37.5
ABOUT THE REDSKINS (2010, 6-10 4th NFC East): Rex Grossman, who led the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl in 2006, was named the starter over John Beck on Monday. He went 1-2 last season after replacing Donovan McNabb. Washington has a new starting tailback in Tim Hightower, a four-year veteran acquired from Arizona who’s had a terrific preseason. The addition of Jabar Gaffney should take pressure off Santana Moss, who was fourth in the NFL with 93 catches last season. Defensively, Washington signed cornerback Josh Wilson and safety O.J. Atogwe to bolster a secondary that finished second-to-last in the NFL in 2010 (261.7 ypg).
ABOUT THE GIANTS (10-6, 2nd NFC East): The Giants’ defense struggled toward the end of 2010 and now it enters this season without five key contributors, most notably top cornerback Terrell Thomas (torn ACL) and disgruntled defensive end Osi Umenyiora (knee). Eli Manning’s career-high 25 interceptions contributed to the Giants’ late-season swoon. Manning, however, also set career-best marks in touchdowns (31) and completion percentage (62.9). Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs anchor a rushing attack that finished second in the NFC with 137.5 yards per game. Hakeem Nicks (1,052 yards, 11 TDs) is coming off a huge season and Mario Manningham also is poised for a big year in the absence of departed slot receiver Steve Smith.
EXTRA POINTS:
1) New York led the NFL in both turnovers (42) turnovers and in takeaways (46) in 2010.
2) “We’re waiting in the wings, waiting to take over the NFC East,” Grossman told a local reporter this summer.
3) Bradshaw and Jacobs combined for 200 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-7 win over Washington last Dec. 5.