10 Things the Giants must do to win on Monday night

It was maddening to us Giants fans to watch our team lose to the Eagles again last Sunday night, but what really sucked was watching our defense give up 45 points.  That prompted most of the free world…okay, most of the New York metro area…to want D-coordinator Bill Sheridan fired.  Well, easy now…I am not the biggest Sheridan fan, but the Giants didn’t lose the game Sunday solely because of their defense surrendering big plays.  They also made too many critical mistakes at the most inopportune moments.  They have been doing that a lot this season, unlike last year when they won games by winning the turnover battle.  Anyway, here are 10 things the Giants must do to get a win Monday night in Washington:

1. Establish the run.  The Redskins have a stingy defense that is especially stingy against the pass. 

2. Don’t let the other team score first.  This has been a recurring problem lately, and the Giants have not scored a first quarter TD in 8 games.  Yikes.  It’s also a reason they have to abandon the run so soon every game.

3. This might be obvious, but don’t cough up the ball.  Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Domenik Hixon have had a bad collective case of fumble-itis lately, and with a knack for coughing it up right as the Giants are gaining momentum. 

4. Realize it’s a game of inches.  Mario Manningham, I’m looking in your direction.  Don’t run yourself out of bounds when you don’t have to, learn how to tap dance, and don’t wear those bright red shoes that contrast with the white sideline!  Oh, and while we’re on the topic of wide receivers, hold on to the ball, please!  I think my heart skipped a few beats when Hakeem Nicks dropped a sure TD bomb last week.

5. Don’t give the other team the ball on the 40 or 50 yard line every drive.  Lawrence Tynes keeps getting worse with his kickoffs and Jeff Feagles’ age has caught up to him as well.  Tynes can’t even keep an onside kick in bounds.  Sheesh.

6. Don’t commit stupid penalties.  The Giants have been very good in this regard lately, so it would figure that they would screw it up on Monday night.

7. Don’t give up the big play.  Jason Campbell has been playing better and he has Sinorice Moss’ older brother, one of the fastest players in the league, to get beyond our weak secondary.   

8. Get some pressure on the quarterback.  Where exactly did our once-fierce pass rush disappear to?  This is a big part of the reason why we’re giving up huge plays, because the opposing QB has all the time in the world.

9. Improve red zone offense and defense.  We still have a knack for settling for field goals, and for letting the other team punch it in at will.  This has to stop.

10. Do what they usually do…which is, beat the Redskins.  For whatever reason, the Giants have their number the way the Eagles have ours.  So just go win the game!

Tags: Ahmad Bradshaw, Bill Sheridan, Brandon Jacobs, Domenik Hixon, Eagles, Giants, Hakeem Nicks, Jason Campbell, Jeff Feagles, Lawrence Tynes, Mario Manningham, Monday night, penalties, Redskins, Santana Moss, Sinorice Moss