By Michael Eisen, Giants.com
December 22, 2005
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants can clinch their first NFC East title in five years when they visit the Washington Redskins on Saturday in FedEx Field. Both teams are riding three-game winning streaks. At 10-4, the Giants hold a two-game lead over both Dallas and Washington. A victory in either of their final two games will give them the division crown for the first time since 2000. The Giants defeated the Redskins, 36-0, on Oct. 30 and lead the regular season series, 82-59-4.
Offense
The Redskins utilize a ball-control attack that is 12th in the NFL in yards-per-game (330.7), seventh in rushing yards (134.0) and 19th in passing yards (196.7). They are fifth in the league in average time of possession (31:33).
Washington likes to pound the ball with Clinton Portis, run a trick play every once in a while, take a few deep shots to Santana Moss and throw underneath to tight end Chrisey. Portis, Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright form a productive trio of running backs. All three can run, catch and block blitzing linebackers. Portis is fourth in the NFC and eighth in the NFL with 1,296 rushing yards. He has run for eight touchdowns and is third on the team with 28 receptions. Betts has 272 yards and nine catches and returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown at Tampa Bay. Cartwright rushed for a career-high 118 yards at St. Louis on Dec. 4.
Mark Brunell, who played for Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville for eight seasons, is third in the NFC with an 87.0 quarterback rating. He has thrown 20 touchdown passes against only eight interceptions. His backup is Patrick Ramsey, who started the season opener before coach Joe Gibbs switched to Brunell.
Washington’s go-to receiver is Moss, who this week was selected for his first Pro Bowl. Moss has 75 receptions for 1,240 yards and six touchdowns. Moss is a home run threat every time he touches the ball. The Skins’ other speedy wideout, former Giant David Patten, is on injured reserve with a knee injury. Washington has been starting Taylor Jacobs (11 catches) or H-back Mike Sellers. But James Thrash, who missed the last four games with a hamstring injury, is expected to play Saturday. Thrash is a tough player who does the dirty work inside and underneath, helping free Moss to go deep.
The Redskins suffered a big loss on Sunday when their best linemen, right guard Randy Thomas, suffered a broken leg, an injury that will sideline him for the rest of the season. He will be replaced by Ray Brown, who turned 43 earlier this month. Brown has played in 259 career games. That will be the first change in the line’s starting five all season. The line is a strong, rugged, veteran group that excels in the Redskins’ style of play. Right tackle Jon Jansen, who missed the 2004 season with an Achilles tendon injury, is a massive player who consistently opens holes for Portis. Center Casey Rabach, a free agent import from Baltimore, is smart and tough. He is a cousin of Giants linebacker Nick Greisen. Left guard Derrick Dockery checks in at 345 pounds. Left tackle Chris Samuels was selected to his third Pro Bowl this week.
Defense
Despite the offseason loss of several key players, including linebacker Antonio Pierce, the Redskins have one of the NFL’s strongest defenses. It is a very aggressive, physical, relentless unit that is seventh in the league in yards allowed (292.9 per game), 12th against the run (106.5) and ninth versus the pass (186.4). The Redskins’ turnover differential was minus-13 through the first 10 games, but is plus-nine in the last four games. Their eight recoveries of opposing fumbles tie Seattle for the NFC low.
Left end Renaldo Wynn, whom Coughlin selected on the first round of the 1997 draft in Jacksonville, is a very smart, solid player who is difficult to block. Former Giant Cornelius Griffin, the tackle next to him, is Washington’s best all-around defensive lineman. He has three sacks and last week picked up his first career interception. Right tackle Joe Salave’a has been bothered all season by a foot injury but has missed only two games. He is a powerful inside player who had eight tackles against the Giants in October. Salave’a leaves the game on passing downs. Right end Phillip Daniels was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording four sacks and recovering a fumble against the Cowboys. Chris Clemons, a linebacker on the depth chart, is a fast, productive end in the sub defenses. Cedric Killings sees a lot of action as the third defensive tackle. Demetric Evans, Ryan Boschetti and Aki Jones have also contributed up front.
Strongside linebacker Marcus Washington has emerged as a terrific player. He is strong, fast and determined, a combination of attributes that has put him in the team lead with 6.5 sacks among his 109 tackles (83 solo). Lemar Marshall, who started at weakside linebacker last season has moved into the middle and leads the team with 117 tackles (92 solo). On the weak side is Warrick Holdman, a free agent pickup from Cleveland who leaves the game in sub defenses. LaVar Arrington missed the last two games with a quad injury.
Rookie cornerback Carlos Rogers was playing superb football until a biceps tear forced him to miss last week’s Dallas game. He is listed as questionable for the Giants. Veteran Walt Harris, who started early in the year, was back with the first team against the Cowboys and had three tackles. Shawn Springs, like Harris, is smart and solid. Strong safety Ryan Clark, another former Giant, has a good head for the game and flies around the field. Free safety Sean Taylor is a gifted player who has played extremely well the last month. Pierson Prioleau has played well as the nickel back, and yet another former Giant, Omar Stoutmire, also contributes in the sub defenses.
Special Teams
Kicker John Hall, who missed six games with a quad injury, has made 11 of 13 field goal attempts. Punter Derrick Frost has a 40.0-yard gross average and a 35.9-yard net average. Antonio Brown, re-signed on Nov. 23, has emerged as the punt and kickoff returner. He is averaging 25.5 yards on 11 kickoff returns and 4.6 yards on 10 punt returns.
