Welcome to Thursday Night Lights, Sports From the Basement’s weekly breakdown of the Thursday night Football contest. This week’s matchup is an NFC East battle between the Washington Redskins (1-1) and the New York Giants (0-2).
The Giants are in disarray. They have lost both of their games in heartbreaking fashion and have blown double digit leads in the fourth quarter of both games. Poor end of game clock management doomed them in the opener at Dallas, and last week later turnovers caused them to blow a lead against Atlanta.
Meanwhile, things are looking up in the Nation’s Capital, although it doesn’t take much to raise the level of optimism these days. A surprisingly easy win over the Rams last week has lifted the spirits of Redskins fans, and they hope they can continue to show progress this week.
When the Redskins have the ball
Through the first two games, Kirk Cousins only has two interceptions. Even better, only one of those interceptions was a terrible play. Last week vs St. Louis, Head Coach Jay Gruden kept the chains moving by running the ball. Alfred Morris and Matt Jones ran for a combined 182 yards as the Redskins controlled the clock. The threat of the running game kept Cousins from having to air it out, which resulted it safe throws and a 23-27 day passing.
The Redskins looked as good as they did last week because the Rams did not take them seriously. They thought they could show up and win without any prep, which showed in their effort on both sides of the ball. The Giants will not do that because they don’t have that luxury. Tom Coughlin will have them ready to play so the Redskins won’t find a sleeping opponent. What they will find, however, is a terrible defense. The Giants have given up 838 yards through two games (Only the Raiders have given up more) and an average play against of 6.1 yards. Statistically speaking, the Giants are good against the run thus far; averaging 3.0 yards per carry against, but the Cowboys and the Falcons in 2015 do not run the ball like the Redskins do.
This game being in New York actually helps the Redskins for one reason. When you are a Thursday Night road team your preparation time is minimal. After the game Sunday, you come in for ice and film Monday, practice Tuesday, walkthrough Wednesday, game Thursday. The truncated week means the game plan won’t be much different than the previous week. Case in point, these two teams met on a Thursday night last year. The previous Sunday, Kirk Cousins lit the Eagles up for 427 yards and three touchdowns. It was a pass heavy game as he threw 48 passes. Everyone remembers what happened four days later, Cousins threw four interceptions in a horrific 45-14 loss. Expect tonight to be a heavy dose of the run game. This is what Washington wants to do this season, and it will give them their best chance to win.
When the Giants have the ball
Through two games the Giants are middle of the road offensively. Sixteenth in passing, and nineteenth in rushing. On a yardage basis, the Redskins are the number one defense in the NFL. If you look a little closer at the stats, it’s a little misleading. The Skins are 4th in Rushing Defense, only giving up 141 yards through two games. They’ve given those yards up on 31 attempts, for an average of 4.5 YPC. That is not a good number at all. Both Miami and St. Louis left the game in the hands of their quarterbacks and abandoned the run, even though the numbers show you can move the ball on them on the ground. It’s the air where the Redskins have really shined, but tonight it’s a two time Super Bowl MVP, not Ryan Tannehill or Nick Foles.
The Giants should come out and try to establish the run tonight. Resist the urge to throw. You know Washington’s blueprint, they are going to try to control the line of scrimmage and control the clock. Rashad Jennings should see plenty of carries tonight if Tom Coughlin is smart.
When they do throw it, it’s going to be the Odell Beckham show, as usual. He torched Washington last season, and expect him to get plenty of targets this evening. Washington should double cover him, and make anyone else beat them. The Giants are thin at receiver after the release of Preston Parker. Reuben Randle is going to start as the #2 WR and after that it’s Geremy Davis and Dwayne Harris. Yes, Parker has terrible hands but on this short week it was thought that he would survive for this game. Larry Donnell is the Giants #2 weapon tonight through the air.
Special Teams
The signing of Dustin Hopkins gave the Redskins a kicker who could kick touchbacks, something they have lacked for a long time. Tress Way has a huge leg, giving the Skins a chance to flip the field at any time. However, Washington’s return coverage is terrible, both on kickoffs and punts. In a game this close, Special Teams could swing it.
The Pick
A division battle that will go down to the wire. The Giants are a team with their backs to the wall, and will come out swinging. Washington needs to survive the first ten minutes and get to their game plan. The Giants turn the ball over one time too many and the Skins snag the win 24-17.
Fantasy Projections
Eli Manning- 275 yards, 2 TD’s 2 INTs
Rashad Jennings- 13 carries, 64 yards
Andre Williams- 8 carries, 22 yards
Shane Vereen- 6 catches, 57 yards
Odell Beckham- 9 catches, 131 yards, 1 touchdown
Reuben Randle- 4 catches, 46 yards
Larry Donnell- 3 catches, 37 yards, 1 touchdown
Kirk Cousins- 198 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int
Alfred Morris- 22 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD
Matt Jones- 15 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD. 3 catches, 21 yards
Pierre Garcon- 8 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
Jordan Reed- 7 catches, 76 yards
Ryan Grant- 3 catches, 34 yards