Giants dominate Skins, but need outside help
LANDOVER – With each score on offense and each stop on defense, and with the Giants playing as possessed then at any point since early in the season, the following question you had to ask as the game played out was this:
Who are these guys?
When things are down and appear to be sliding out of control, all it takes is having Washington on the schedule as a cure to their ills.
Just as the Giants have problems beating the Eagles, the same cannot be said for their success against the Redskins, who they have now beaten four straight and eight of the last 10 times.
Not since their 44-7 demolishing of the Raiders at home back in Week 5 had the Giants put together the kind of performance displayed at FedEx Field on Monday night in their devastating 45-12 victory over the Redskins. The win was their largest road margin of victory since beating them 41-7 over 16 years ago.
The win was shocking in how completely one-sided it was. Over the last month, Washington played admirably, nearly winning games against the Cowboys, Eagles and Saints, all potential playoff teams. However, it would all come crashing down in resounding fashion.
Seeking a fast start, the Giants jumped on the Redskins early and often in the first half. Scoring a touchdown on their opening drive for the first time since their victory over Oakland, they tied a season high with a 16-play drive, covering 80 yards, and ending with a three-yard touchdown run.
After a quick three-and-out, a 63-yard drive in 11 plays led to Bradshaw’s second touchdown of the game on a four-yard scamper.
A 38-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes came after another three-and out to extend the lead to 17-0. To that point, the offense had run 36 plays to the Redskins 6.
Washington did not have a first down after three possession and the Giants drove again for a score. Led by a 45 yard catch-and-run by Hakeem Nicks, Eli Manning found Steve Smith in the right corner of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown pass and 24-0 margin.
Before the half, the Redskins were going to attempt a field goal, but Tom Coughlin called timeout when he saw their formation completely shift to the left side. After the timeout, Washington lined up for the field goal, but again went to the same formation alignment before the timeout and sent the kicker in motion, leaving only the snapper (tight end Todd Yoder) and the punter (Hunter Smith) playing the role of quarterback. To form, Smith was pummeled and Bruce Johnson intercepted the pass, returning the ball 49 yards as Redskins fans booed mercifully.
It was all part of an ugly first half, but pretty for the Giants. The defense held them to only two first downs and harassing Jason Campbell by sacking him three times. The offense had 16 first downs and converted eight-of-10 third down attempts in nearly 22 minutes of possession.
Washington tried to make the game respectable when Campbell hit Fred Davis for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 24-6 (Barry Cofield blocked the extra point). It was the only drive of the night where the defense lapsed, allowing the Redskins to move the ball 86 yards, set up by a 51-yard reception by Rock Cartwright.
Immediately the Giants answered. Manning set up the drive with a 35-yard pass to Kevin Boss. On third-and-4, he found little used Derek Hagan wide open on a corner route for his first touchdown of the season. It was the fourth time in the last five games the offense scored at least 30 points.
The defense got into the act on the Redskins first play of their next possession. Campbell faked a screen pass to the left, and his pass to the right went over the Davis’ head, and into the waiting arms of Terrell Thomas, who returned it 14 yards for a touchdown and 38-6 ensuing rout.
Thomas, starting as the team’s number one corner with Corey Webster inactive (knee) and Aaron Ross (late scratch), has five interceptions on the season and likely has permanently wrestled the starting cornerback spot.
Campbell barely had time to throw most of the night as he was under siege by a rejuvenated Giants pass rush. Back in the second quarter, Osi Umenyiora brought him down on a sack, sending him to the locker room for the remainder of the half before returning.
Quinton Ganther’s 1-yard touchdown made it 38-12. Manning’s offense responded quickly when he fired his third touchdown pass of the game, this time a 25 yard strike to Mario Manningham as the Giants put up their second 40 point game of the season (45) and the most points scored against their division rival since 1968.
Manning finished the game completing 19-of-26 passes for 268 yards. It was his 50th victory since taking over as the starting quarterback late in 2004.
With the game out of hand, David Carr played the rest of the fourth quarter as the Giants (8-6) remained in the playoff race.
To make the playoffs, the Giants need a combination of winning their two remaining games and one loss from either Dallas or Green Bay.
LANDOVER – With each score on offense and each stop on defense, and with the Giants playing as possessed then at any point since early in the season, the following question you had to ask as the game played out was this:
Who are these guys?
When things are down and appear to be sliding out of control, all it takes is having Washington on the schedule as a cure to their ills.
Just as the Giants have problems beating the Eagles, the same cannot be said for their success against the Redskins, who they have now beaten four straight and eight of the last 10 times.
Not since their 44-7 demolishing of the Raiders at home back in Week 5 had the Giants put together the kind of performance displayed at FedEx Field on Monday night in their devastating 45-12 victory over the Redskins. The win was their largest road margin of victory since beating them 41-7 over 16 years ago.
The win was shocking in how completely one-sided it was. Over the last month, Washington played admirably, nearly winning games against the Cowboys, Eagles and Saints, all potential playoff teams. However, it would all come crashing down in resounding fashion.
Seeking a fast start, the Giants jumped on the Redskins early and often in the first half. Scoring a touchdown on their opening drive for the first time since their victory over Oakland, they tied a season high with a 16-play drive, covering 80 yards, and ending with a three-yard touchdown run.
After a quick three-and-out, a 63-yard drive in 11 plays led to Bradshaw’s second touchdown of the game on a four-yard scamper.
A 38-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes came after another three-and out to extend the lead to 17-0. To that point, the offense had run 36 plays to the Redskins 6.
Washington did not have a first down after three possession and the Giants drove again for a score. Led by a 45 yard catch-and-run by Hakeem Nicks, Eli Manning found Steve Smith in the right corner of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown pass and 24-0 margin.
Before the half, the Redskins were going to attempt a field goal, but Tom Coughlin called timeout when he saw their formation completely shift to the left side. After the timeout, Washington lined up for the field goal, but again went to the same formation alignment before the timeout and sent the kicker in motion, leaving only the snapper (tight end Todd Yoder) and the punter (Hunter Smith) playing the role of quarterback. To form, Smith was pummeled and Bruce Johnson intercepted the pass, returning the ball 49 yards as Redskins fans booed mercifully.
It was all part of an ugly first half, but pretty for the Giants. The defense held them to only two first downs and harassing Jason Campbell by sacking him three times. The offense had 16 first downs and converted eight-of-10 third down attempts in nearly 22 minutes of possession.
Washington tried to make the game respectable when Campbell hit Fred Davis for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 24-6 (Barry Cofield blocked the extra point). It was the only drive of the night where the defense lapsed, allowing the Redskins to move the ball 86 yards, set up by a 51-yard reception by Rock Cartwright.
Immediately the Giants answered. Manning set up the drive with a 35-yard pass to Kevin Boss. On third-and-4, he found little used Derek Hagan wide open on a corner route for his first touchdown of the season. It was the fourth time in the last five games the offense scored at least 30 points.
The defense got into the act on the Redskins first play of their next possession. Campbell faked a screen pass to the left, and his pass to the right went over the Davis’ head, and into the waiting arms of Terrell Thomas, who returned it 14 yards for a touchdown and 38-6 ensuing rout.
Thomas, starting as the team’s number one corner with Corey Webster inactive (knee) and Aaron Ross (late scratch), has five interceptions on the season and likely has permanently wrestled the starting cornerback spot.
Campbell barely had time to throw most of the night as he was under siege by a rejuvenated Giants pass rush. Back in the second quarter, Osi Umenyiora brought him down on a sack, sending him to the locker room for the remainder of the half before returning.
Quinton Ganther’s 1-yard touchdown made it 38-12. Manning’s offense responded quickly when he fired his third touchdown pass of the game, this time a 25 yard strike to Mario Manningham as the Giants put up their second 40 point game of the season (45) and the most points scored against their division rival since 1968.
Manning finished the game completing 19-of-26 passes for 268 yards. It was his 50th victory since taking over as the starting quarterback late in 2004.
With the game out of hand, David Carr played the rest of the fourth quarter as the Giants (8-6) remained in the playoff race.
To make the playoffs, the Giants need a combination of winning their two remaining games and one loss from either Dallas or Green Bay.
No comments:
Post a Comment