MNF Preview: Giants vs. Redskins

Week 15 is definitely proof that you shouldn’t take any team in the NFL for granted. The New York Giants are eager to try and bounce back after a hard loss to the Eagles last week. The Giants are the only team in the hunt in the NFC wildcard race, and with the Redskins the only team in the NFC East not looking to head to the post season, you can bet they’ll want to play spoiler.

The Washington Redskins are playing solid football despite rumors of the holiday shopping for a new head coach. The Skins rank high in many categories on defense, including the leagues toughest pass defense only allowing on average 188 passing yards per game. Washington’s injuries have the team running with a roster full of backups these days, but excellent performances against the Cowboys and Saints show the real depth and talent of this team.

The keys to victory for the Giants:

Establish the run early

- The Giants are facing a stout defensive unit, and the effort has to be put forward in forcing a ground game. If a running game is put together, the Redskins will have to show respect by dropping down safeties which should then set up the play-action pass. Brandon Jacobs is having an off year (to say the least) and this entire game will revolve around moving the chains. If Manning is stuck in a lot of 3rd and longs on the road Monday night, things could get ugly.

- Field position is important! The noodle leg kicking of the Giants have given opponents great field position all season. The G-Men need to play smart, sound special teams, and avoid stupid penalties.

The keys to victory for the Skins:

- Stretch the field early. The more Jason Campbell is willing to fire a couple deep balls down field, the more the Giants DB’s back off in fear of the big play. The weak link for the G-Men has to be the safeties, and if the Skins don’t recognize that they deserve to lose.

- Use screens and quick outs. New York will over compensate their poor secondary with extra heat off the line. If Washington can handle the pressure, this game is winnable.

Our Thoughts

While the Gridiron Experts team is still fuming after the upsets in which we had wins stolen in the dying seconds of Sundays NFL action (Steelers, Dolphins, Jets) we are taking the Redskins in an upset victory. Our picking in the last 4 weeks has been on fire (49-15), but this has not been our week.  Home field advantage around the holidays used to be huge…but this week has 9 road teams finding wins. The game will be close but we think this is the Redskins X-Mas gift for the fans after a disappointing season.  WAS 24-23