Redskins at Giants
THE STORY: The Redskins knocked off the Giants 28-14 in this season’s opener at Washington to end New York’s six-game winning streak in the series. The Redskins have lost eight of their last nine games but have been very competitive in the past four games since reinstating Rex Grossman at quarterback. Grossman threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener against New York and nearly matched Tom Brady and the high-powered Patriots last week. He’ll need to hit on all cylinders to stay with the sizzling Eli Manning and the Giants’ offense this week.
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Giants -6.5, O/U 46.5
ABOUT THE REDSKINS (4-9): Washington’s offense is averaging 24 points in its last four games and Grossman, who was benched in the midst of what turned out to be a six-game losing streak, has been superb as of late. Grossman has thrown six touchdowns passes and for more than 1,000 yards in his last four games and rookie running back Roy Helu has formed a perfect complement, topping 100 yards in three straight games. The Redskins do have a bit of bulletin-board material to use as incentive after New York safety Antrel Rolle said the Giants could beat the Redskins 99 times out of 100.
ABOUT THE GIANTS (7-6): New York rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final minutes to beat Dallas last week in a critical NFC East contest. The victory snapped New York’s four-game skid and vaulted the Giants into first place in the division. New York now controls its own fate, and if it wins the final three games of the regular season it will clinch the division title. The Giants are only 3-3 at home and their defense is a mess. New York has allowed 121 points in their last three games and is ranked 30th in the NFL in total defense. But Manning, who went over the 4,000-yard mark for the season in the win against the Cowboys, has his offense ranked fourth in passing and averaging nearly 25 ppg. Manning knows he has to keep firing away with his defense further hindered by injuries to defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Three of Grossman’s best six passing games of all-time have come against the Giants.
2. Giants safety Kenny Phillips is questionable with a knee injury.
3. New York sacked Grossman four times in the season opener.