Dominant D gives Giants 1-0 start to campaign
EAST RUTHERFORD – Twice last season, the Giants saw the Washington Redskins and each time they dominated the games, with the scores a non-reflection of how they were played.
The Redskins sought out to make significant changes to their roster to position themselves to close the gap between the two teams.
If yesterday was any indication, the gap is still just as wide as last year.
Playing just as they did when they sprinted out to 11-1 start last season, the Giants used hellacious defense rendered Washington’s offense useless and showed on offense they may have found a few good receivers in their 23-17 victory to open up the campaign at Giants Stadium.
It was their third consecutive win over their rivals and dated back to 2006, have won six of their last seven meetings.
The game was a tale of two games as the Giants sprinted out in the first half and could have blown Washington out had they capitalized on several opportunities throughout that they will need to do in order to make life easier for them.
Eli Manning and the offense took the games opening drive and moved the team 67 yards for a 28-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes. The highlight was his pass on third and seven over the middle to second year receiver Mario Manningham for 25 yards. The drive stalled when Ahmad Bradshaw was not able to convert a third-and-one at the Redskins 11.
After forcing a punt, the Giants offense appeared headed for another score. A 17-yard reception by Steve Smith and a 22-yard run by Bradshaw moved the ball to Washington territory. However, after Brandon Jacobs was unable to get the yard needed on third down. Coach Tom Coughlin elected to go for. Jacobs on fourth down would again be marked short and the Redskins took over on downs.
Washington went three and out and with excellent field position, the Giants capitalized. On a third-and-seven, the Redskins blitzed and Manning on a hot route found Manningham on the right sideline, made several moves and raced 30 yards for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead.
Manningham (three catches – 58 yards) is going to be one of the receivers that are being counted on to deliver in the passing game after the loss of Burress and Amani Toomer.
Quarterback Jason Campbell was looking to move Washington into scoring range, but on second down, his pass to sideline was intercepted by Corey Webster, who kept his tiptoes in play for the turnover. Manning though would give the ball back when he was pressured and sacked by Andre Carter, who forced the fumble at the Redskins 37.
With possession, the Giants defense got their first points of the season. At the 48-yard line, Campbell was sacked and had the ball stripped out of his right hand by the returning Osi Umenyiora. With the ball on the ground, Umenyiora saw it, picked it up and raced 37 yards to the end zone for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead.
Late in the second quarter, a broken coverage allowed Redskins receiver Antwan Randle El free in the middle of the field and looked to have a touchdown, but safety CC Brown was able to make the open field tackle at the Giants eight-yard line.
Three straight plays totaled zero yards and on fourth down, a fake field goal was run into the end zone by punter Hunter Smith to trim the deficit to 17-7 at halftime.
Manning would give Washington a gift late in the third quarter. At his own 12-yard line, he was pressured and rolled to his right and his pass over the middle was intercepted by DeAngelo Hall who returned it back to the Giants 11.
Once more, the Giants defense held the fort. After calling a timeout because Campbell was unable to get the play in because of the raucous Meadowland crowd, Justin Tuck sacked the Redskins quarterback on third down to force what would be a made 28-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham to make a seven-point game going into the fourth quarter.
The Giants would get two field goals in the fourth quarter. One, a 45 yarder by Tynes and then another from 28 yards. 24 and 27-yard receptions by Kevin Boss on each drive set up both field goals.
A late 17-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cooley with 1:37 remaining to make it a 23-17 game. However, Steve Smith recovered the ensuing onside kick and the Giants were able to seal the victory.
Prior to that last drive, the defense had limited the Redskins to only 200 yards and 13 first downs while sacking Campbell three times and force numerous other hurried throws as they controlled the game from the outset despite the loss of several starters. Clinton Portis was limited to only 62 yards on 16 carries.
Manning was an efficient 20 of 29 for 256 yards and spread the ball out to seven different receivers, and four of them made at least three receptions.
While Jacobs was slowed down (16 carries – 46 yards), Bradshaw picked up the slack (12 carries – 60 yards). However, the Giants offense did not convert in their three opportunities in the red zone.
Next week the Giants travel for a Sunday night primetime game against the Dallas Cowboys at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
EAST RUTHERFORD – Twice last season, the Giants saw the Washington Redskins and each time they dominated the games, with the scores a non-reflection of how they were played.
The Redskins sought out to make significant changes to their roster to position themselves to close the gap between the two teams.
If yesterday was any indication, the gap is still just as wide as last year.
Playing just as they did when they sprinted out to 11-1 start last season, the Giants used hellacious defense rendered Washington’s offense useless and showed on offense they may have found a few good receivers in their 23-17 victory to open up the campaign at Giants Stadium.
It was their third consecutive win over their rivals and dated back to 2006, have won six of their last seven meetings.
The game was a tale of two games as the Giants sprinted out in the first half and could have blown Washington out had they capitalized on several opportunities throughout that they will need to do in order to make life easier for them.
Eli Manning and the offense took the games opening drive and moved the team 67 yards for a 28-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes. The highlight was his pass on third and seven over the middle to second year receiver Mario Manningham for 25 yards. The drive stalled when Ahmad Bradshaw was not able to convert a third-and-one at the Redskins 11.
After forcing a punt, the Giants offense appeared headed for another score. A 17-yard reception by Steve Smith and a 22-yard run by Bradshaw moved the ball to Washington territory. However, after Brandon Jacobs was unable to get the yard needed on third down. Coach Tom Coughlin elected to go for. Jacobs on fourth down would again be marked short and the Redskins took over on downs.
Washington went three and out and with excellent field position, the Giants capitalized. On a third-and-seven, the Redskins blitzed and Manning on a hot route found Manningham on the right sideline, made several moves and raced 30 yards for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead.
Manningham (three catches – 58 yards) is going to be one of the receivers that are being counted on to deliver in the passing game after the loss of Burress and Amani Toomer.
Quarterback Jason Campbell was looking to move Washington into scoring range, but on second down, his pass to sideline was intercepted by Corey Webster, who kept his tiptoes in play for the turnover. Manning though would give the ball back when he was pressured and sacked by Andre Carter, who forced the fumble at the Redskins 37.
With possession, the Giants defense got their first points of the season. At the 48-yard line, Campbell was sacked and had the ball stripped out of his right hand by the returning Osi Umenyiora. With the ball on the ground, Umenyiora saw it, picked it up and raced 37 yards to the end zone for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead.
Late in the second quarter, a broken coverage allowed Redskins receiver Antwan Randle El free in the middle of the field and looked to have a touchdown, but safety CC Brown was able to make the open field tackle at the Giants eight-yard line.
Three straight plays totaled zero yards and on fourth down, a fake field goal was run into the end zone by punter Hunter Smith to trim the deficit to 17-7 at halftime.
Manning would give Washington a gift late in the third quarter. At his own 12-yard line, he was pressured and rolled to his right and his pass over the middle was intercepted by DeAngelo Hall who returned it back to the Giants 11.
Once more, the Giants defense held the fort. After calling a timeout because Campbell was unable to get the play in because of the raucous Meadowland crowd, Justin Tuck sacked the Redskins quarterback on third down to force what would be a made 28-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham to make a seven-point game going into the fourth quarter.
The Giants would get two field goals in the fourth quarter. One, a 45 yarder by Tynes and then another from 28 yards. 24 and 27-yard receptions by Kevin Boss on each drive set up both field goals.
A late 17-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cooley with 1:37 remaining to make it a 23-17 game. However, Steve Smith recovered the ensuing onside kick and the Giants were able to seal the victory.
Prior to that last drive, the defense had limited the Redskins to only 200 yards and 13 first downs while sacking Campbell three times and force numerous other hurried throws as they controlled the game from the outset despite the loss of several starters. Clinton Portis was limited to only 62 yards on 16 carries.
Manning was an efficient 20 of 29 for 256 yards and spread the ball out to seven different receivers, and four of them made at least three receptions.
While Jacobs was slowed down (16 carries – 46 yards), Bradshaw picked up the slack (12 carries – 60 yards). However, the Giants offense did not convert in their three opportunities in the red zone.
Next week the Giants travel for a Sunday night primetime game against the Dallas Cowboys at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
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