13:15—Not a very aggressive first series there for
Zorn. A four-yard pass to Thrash, who has no RAC ability, on third and
six isn't exactly pushing the envelope. It resulted in a three and out
and a quick punt back to the Giants.
Toomer 40 pass from Manning (Carney kick)
Giants 7, Redskins 0
That was too easy for the Giants. Manning easily converted a couple
of third and long situations, primarily because he had all day to
throw the ball. Smooth was with Toomer on the TD pass, but he didn't
make a play on the ball. It goes without saying that the Skins can't
get into a shootout here.
8:58—A quick slant to Moss batted away at the
line, Portis up the middle for one and then a six-yard pass to Cooley
on third and nine that time. I know you have to watch out for the pass
rush and all, but come on, Jim. The defense had better tighten up or
this could be over in a hurry.
3:23—The Redskins are generating no pass rush at
all. Manning has time to survey the field a few times over.
2:42—That is, until Montgomery gets a hold on
Manning's jersey for a sack on third and goal, setting up a field goal
try.
FG Carney 31
Giants 10, Redskins 0
2:11—They just assessed Ryan Boschetti for five
yards for an illegal fair catch on a kickoff. At least he didn't try
to run with it ala Pete Kendall. Still, cut the guy some slack, he was
watching on TV a week ago.
0:57—Back to back first downs, with the second
coming on a nice pass to Moss on which Campbell had some nice touch.
The Redskins are in Giants territory.
End of first quarter
Giants 10, Redskins 0
14:50—Again, throwing short of the first down
marker on third down. This time it was incomplete but it wouldn't have
mattered as it was a good three yards shy of the line to make. That's
a situation where you might as well go deep since if it's picked it's
as good as a punt. Better, probably, since Plackemeier has now put two
into the end zone from around midfield.
14:02—Look up "picking them apart" in the NFL
glossary and you'll see a picture of Eli vs. the Redskins today. He
has all day to throw, still, and he's zipping the ball on target
almost every throw. Sometimes the defenders are nearby, sometimes
they're not because the receivers have worked their way open since
Manning has so much time.
12:26—The good news is the Giants can't run the ball, so they're
having to settle for field goals when things go awry in the passing
game.
FG Carney 42
Giants 13, Redskins 0
12:01—It's time for Zorn to break out a little
imagination here. I'm not necessarily talking about a triple reverse
or anything, but they have to be more aggressive. If the Giants score
again before the Redskins do, it's over.
8:43—With Betts now in after Portis got slammed
down on screen pass, the Skins are on the move to the Giant 29.
Moving into the end zone, in fact.
Thomas 29 run (Suisham kick)
Giants 13, Redskins 7
Excellent fake on the reverse and a great effort by Devin Thomas to
get into the end zone. That's what a little imagination will get for
you!
4:10—A huge play by DeAngelo Hall, getting an
interception on a third and six play in Redskins territory. The
Redskin stay alive.
3:11—And they have even more life after a 20-yard
pass to Sellers, featuring a hurdle by #45. Portis is back in, by the
way.
2:37—Things were going well until a third-down
drop by Thrash—on a ball actually thrown past the first-down
marker—and then Plackemeier boots it into the end zone again. Good
opportunity lost, but field position was gained.
1:00—The Giants are now finding some running room
with Derrick Ward getting most of the yardage. The Skins need to keep
them out of the end zone on this drive, which has them with a second
and 10 on the Washington 46.
0:26—The Redskins hold on fourth and one, pending
a review of the play. I'm not sure how they could change the call, but
I didn't think that the previous review had any merit, either and it
was reversed in favor of the Giants.
A great drive to get the Skins into field goal position at the end
of the half. We'll see if it's in his range.
0:04—No, Suisham was wide right from 42 yards.
That is going to prove to be huge. Still, after the way the game
started out, I'll take the halftime score.
End of first half
Giants 13, Redskins 7
It will be very tough for the Redskins here, but they're not out of
it. New York gets the kickoff and another turnover would be ideal.
By the way, I think the Skins have to find an alternative to
Suisham. He has lost it and this is no time for him to try to find it.
13:20—A four and out for the Giants and the
Redskins will get the ball at their own 20. Hall had an interception,
but Springs swooped in and in the collision the ball fell to the turf.
They would have had the ball right about where they are anyway.
12:29—Campbell gave Kelly a chance to jump up and
make a play, but he dropped the deep sideline pass. That's two
third-down conversions in a row that have been killed via the drop. To
be fair, it does look like a Giant grazed the ball, but it did hit
Kelly in the hands. I like the approach, it's getting more aggressive,
but the execution hasn't been there.
Jacobs 1 run (Carney kick)
Giants 20, Redskins 7
The Giants could be at the point where the Redskins can't catch
them after that. It's not out of the question that the Redskins could
get two more touchdowns if they hold on to third-down passes. But the
prospect of holding the Giants scoreless for the rest of the game is
very dim.
6:36—Another trick play works as Randle El goes to
Cooley for 11 yards and a first down.
It's for naught, though, as a deep Campbell pass down the middle
gets picked off. It was not a good throw at all, late and shallow.
3:50—It looked like the Redskins had come up with
a big play, a third-down sack, but an offside flag wiped it out. A
very big little penalty as it gives the Giants a first down and
they're on the move.
End of third quarter
Giants 20, Redskins 7
Good job by the defense, turning a second and one into a fourth and
one and a punt. Jacobs got stonewalled twice and the Redskins have
some life as the fourth quarter starts.
11:09—The teams exchange three and outs and with
still plenty of time left, the Redskins still have a chance. The New
York running game still is spotty, although both Ward and Jacobs have
ripped off some pretty good runs in the second half. As long as
Manning has to keep throwing, the chance for a pick is there.
9:26—The chances just got a lot dimmer as Portis
gains nothing on fourth and two, giving the Giants the ball back at
the Washington 40. Even if the Giants go nowhere and punt, it will be
a long field for the Redskins to negotiate. By the way, the
imagination went away on that play, just a straight dive up the
middle.
FG Carney 39
Giants 23, Redskins 7
Just two touchdowns and two two-point conversions to send this one
into overtime.
3:25—The final, final chance goes awry then a fourth-down pass
falls to the ground. There probably should have been a pass
interference call on it, but it's not worth getting worked up over at
this point in time.
I'm going to go ahead and wrap this up early, assuming that the
final will remain as it is now, so that I can get downstairs to the
locker room. I'll update via Blackberry if necessary.
Final Score
Giants 23, Redskins 7
Rich Tandler blogs about the Skins at RealRedskins.com and he is the author of the upcoming book The Redskins Chronicle. You can reach Rich by email at rich.tandler+real@gmail.com