Giants vs. Redskins preview

The Giants (7-6) square off against the Washington Redskins (4-9)  Monday night in a must-win situation, again.  It is hard to believe the G-men could wind up 10-6 but it’s indeed quite possible.  Here is how we see it shaking out at FedEx Field:

OFFENSE

The Giants surely are not broken in this department.  Not only is Eli Manning on fire again, but in the past two games Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have gotten some of their game back.  The problem?  Too many inopportune fumbles or dropped passes.  Correcting that may very well be the difference in the game, but it won’t be easy against a stiff Washington D.  The Redskins have looked better lately as well and they will try to run the ball to keep it away from Manning.  The Giants will try to stuff that run and also try to apply more pressure on QB Jason Campbell so as not to allow more big plays downfield.  EDGE: GIANTS

DEFENSE

The Giants have given up more points than every team in the NFL besides Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis and Tampa Bay.  Yikes.  Part of the problem is the lack of a pass rush, which has in turn exposed a very weak and banged up secondary, allowing big plays to torch them with regularity.  The Redskins are 6th against the pass, but 22nd against the rush, so the Giants will try to expose that…still, you’d better account for Albert Haynesworth, a guy Giants’ OC Kevin Gilbride referred to as a “freak of nature.”  The Skins have a fierce pass rush too led by Andre Carter and rookie Brian Orakpo.  EDGE: REDSKINS

SPECIAL TEAMS

Both of these teams have struggled in the kicking game, as the Skins had Graham Gano replace Shaun Suisham and the Giants have had tryouts to scare Lawrence Tynes.  P Hunter Smith is only marginally better than Jeff Feagles, and Domenik Hixon has the edge in the return game over Antwaan Randle El and Devin Thomas.  EDGE: EVEN

COACHING

Let’s face it, we all know Jim Zorn is a lame duck in Washington, but he still has his team playing with a lot of pride lately.  Maybe having Sherm Lewis calling plays wasn’t such a bad idea after all.  Tom Coughlin is trying to keep the vultures from circling around his beleaguered D-coordinator Bill Sheridan, because someone has to take the blame for getting torched through the air each week.  EDGE: EVEN

INTANGIBLES

The Giants seem to have the Redskins’ number, the same way the Eagles have the Giants’ number.  So that comes into play.  The Giants also are far more desperate for a win, so they need to not be so tense and be prone to fumbles and dropsies, or stupid penalties.  The Skins are home, so that has to account for something, but it’s not like the Giants don’t typically play well in DC.  EDGE: GIANTS

THE PICK

In particular, if Dallas loses tonight, the stage will be set for the Giants to pull into a tie for the second wild card spot with Dallas and in turn control their own destiny again.  I think it plays out just like that, and I have a funny feeling the Redskins will mess up just enough for the Giants to take advantage.  GIANTS 27, REDSKINS 20

FANTASY OUTLOOK

Brandon Jacobs and/or Ahmad Bradshaw might be your best plays for the Giants, because of the matchup.  But you can’t ignore how well Manning and his receivers have played lately.  In particular, Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith have really stepped up their games, save for a few dropped passes.  Put them in your lineup with caution though against the Skins.  Tynes will probably have plenty of chances and the Giants’ D has been awful lately, so shy away from them against anyone.  As for the Skins, Campbell and guys like Santana Moss might give you big chunks of yardage and scores against the G-men, but playing Quinton Ganther against the Giants’ suddenly stiff run D might be risky.  The Skins’ D might gather some sacks and picks, so play them with confidence, but if you have Graham Gano as your kicker, you shouldn’t be in the fantasy playoffs.

Tags: Ahmad Bradshaw, Albert Haynesworth, Andre Carter, Antwaan Randle El, Bill Sheridan, Brandon Jacobs, Brian Orakpo, Bucs, Chiefs, Cowboys, Devin Thomas, Domenik Hixon, Eagles, Eli Manning, FedEx Field, Giants, Graham Gano, Hakeem Nicks, Hunter Smith, Jason Campbell, Jeff Feagles, Jim Zorn, Kevin Gilbride, Lawrence Tynes, Lions, Monday Night Football, NFC East, Quinton Ganther, Rams, Redskins, Saints, Santana Moss, Shaun Suisham, Sherm Lewis, Steve Smith, Tom Coughlin